Forget Flower Pots: This '60s Thrift Store Find Looks Even Better As A Garden Planter

What could be more charming than a patio or deck covered in flowers blooming in pots and planters? How about flowers blooming from unexpected containers? You may have already given some old tea cups new life as garden pots or even turned an old watering can into a little container garden, but there's at least one whimsical vessel you likely haven't yet considered, and it could be at your local thrift store: a vintage brass tissue holder.

While you might be used to just seeing disposable tissues stored in the plain cardboard boxes they're sold in, there have been many trends over the years to beautify and elevate these utilitarian containers by putting fancier covers over top of them. You may have seen charming knitted or crocheted tissue box covers in the past, and brass tissue box holders are based on the same idea. These beautiful boxes and covers were all the rage in the 1960s. And while they could be made out of a range of materials, brass was a popular choice as "Hollywood Regency" decor was trending at the time. As cardboard tissue boxes themselves became more decorative, covers have waned in popularity for their initial purpose. You can often find them at thrift stores, just waiting for a new home and a unique new use in the garden.

Tissue covers generally don't have bottoms — it allows them to be easily slipped over the top of a cardboard box. So there are a few ways you can turn one into a planter. One option is to simply turn the box upside down and place some screen or mesh hardware cloth inside so it covers the hole where tissues would normally be pulled from. Then you'll add your potting mix and your flowers. The hardware cloth will keep your potting mix from falling out. Because tissue box holders are relatively small, you'll need to find a plant that grows well with limited space and soil. Some of the best plants for shallow pots include succulents and blackfoot daisies.

Another good option is to forgo potting soil entirely and grow air plants in the box. These absorb water from the air and don't require soil. They can easily be fixed to the decorative sides of the box using string, wire, or even zip ties. Then just put your box and plant on a table or mount it to a wall.