How to Make Decorative Plant Pots

Overview

Many pot planters are plain and functional, adequate to grow your garden but with little or no style. Making your own decorative pot is a great way to add a extra flare to your garden or house. You'll also save a little money by making your pot out of used containers.

Step 1

Find an unused plastic container. Food storage buckets or water cooler bottles are great for large planters. Plastic bottles are good for smaller ones.

Step 2

Cut off any parts of the container you don't want to use. For bottles, cut the top half off and recycle it. If you are working with a bucket, cut the handle and rim off. Use scissors or a knife for thin containers and a handsaw for thick ones.

Step 3

Cut the rim into a decorative pattern. You can cut it to resemble flowers petals or simply in a scalloped configuration.

Step 4

Poke several small holes in the bottom for drainage. You can use a sharp spike, such as an awl to do this.

Step 5

Turn a hair dryer onto high heat and blow it on the rim. Bend it into any funky shape you want. If you are making petals, you may want to bend them out in a gentle curve.

Step 6

Paint the pot. If you are making a flower, use bright colors for the petal and a green for the rest of the pot.