The Best Examples of Upcycling Tin Cans into Colorful Planters: 3 Ideas You’ll Actually Use

1. Painted Tin Can Herb Garden – The Classic Example of Colorful Upcycling

If you want the clearest, easiest example of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters, start with a painted herb garden. It’s beginner-friendly, low-cost, and instantly brightens a kitchen window or balcony railing.

Prepping Your Cans So They Last

Before we get to the fun color part, you need to prep the cans so they don’t rust or cut anyone.

• Wash the cans with warm, soapy water and remove labels and glue. A soak in hot water with a bit of dish soap helps loosen adhesive.
• Dry completely to avoid trapping moisture under paint.
• Use a metal file or sandpaper to smooth any sharp edges around the rim.
• Lightly sand the outside so the paint grips better.

For food safety and hand safety, filing sharp edges is more than just a neatness thing—sharp metal can cause serious cuts. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regularly reminds consumers to watch for sharp metal edges in household items, especially around children (cpsc.gov). Taking a minute to smooth those rims is worth it.

Painting: Solid Colors, Stripes, and Color-Blocked Designs

Here’s where the first examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters: 3 ideas really start to show their personality.

Use outdoor or multi-surface acrylic paint and a basic primer. Spray primer works fast, but a brush-on primer is fine if that’s what you have.

Some of the best examples of color treatments for these herb planters include:

• Solid bold colors: Think tomato-red for basil, sunny yellow for oregano, deep teal for mint. Grouped together, they look intentionally mismatched.
• Color-blocked cans: Paint the bottom half one color and the top half another, with a clean tape line between. For example, white on top, coral on the bottom.
• Vertical stripes: Use painter’s tape to create stripes, then alternate between two or three colors. This works especially well for tall coffee cans.
• Chalkboard label panel: Paint the whole can a bright color, then add a small rectangle of chalkboard paint so you can write the herb name and change it later.

These are all concrete examples of how you can transform the same basic can into very different looks, just by shifting your paint strategy.

Drainage and Planting

Plants don’t like “wet feet,” so drainage is non-negotiable for healthy roots.

• Use a hammer and nail or drill to make several small holes in the bottom of each can.
• Add a thin layer of small stones or broken terracotta at the bottom.
• Fill with a high-quality potting mix (not garden soil, which compacts and drains poorly in containers).

The University of Illinois Extension has a helpful overview on choosing potting mixes and why they’re better for containers than plain soil (extension.illinois.edu).

Now add your herbs. Good options for tin can herb planters include:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Chives
• Thyme
• Mint (best in its own can so it doesn’t take over)

Keep them in a bright spot—most herbs like at least 4–6 hours of light—and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Real-Life Variations on the Painted Herb Can

To give you more concrete examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters, here are a few variations I’ve seen work beautifully:

• Monochrome trio: Three cans in different shades of the same color (pale blue, sky blue, navy), each with a different herb.
• Rainbow row: Six cans painted in rainbow order and lined up on a windowsill.
• Black-and-white modern set: White cans with black geometric shapes—triangles, dots, or simple line art.

Each of these is an example of how a tiny tweak in color and pattern turns the same basic tin can into a very different style statement.

2. Boho Hanging Tin Can Planters – Examples Include Macramé, Twine, and Beads

If you’re short on floor or counter space, hanging planters are your best friend. This second idea gives you examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters that float: perfect for porches, balconies, or even a sunny corner indoors.

Step One: Color and Texture

You can absolutely use the same painting techniques from the herb garden, but this time, think about how the cans will look from below and from the side.

Some of the best examples of boho-style finishes include:

• Soft ombré: Blend two colors from bottom to top, like turquoise fading to white.
• Dry-brushed metallics: Paint the can a matte color, then lightly drag a metallic gold or copper over the ridges for a worn, boho feel.
• Hand-painted patterns: Simple daisies, tiny leaves, or sun motifs painted with a small brush.

After painting, you can add texture:

• Wrap the top or bottom third of the can with natural jute or cotton twine.
• Glue on a band of lace or a strip of scrap fabric.
• Add wooden beads on the hanging cords for extra detail.

Step Two: Creating the Hanger

You don’t have to be a macramé expert to make these work. Here’s a simple approach:

• Punch or drill three evenly spaced holes near the top rim of the can.
• Cut three equal lengths of strong cord, twine, or macramé rope.
• Tie one cord through each hole with a secure knot.
• Bring the three cords together at the top and tie them in one big knot to create a hanging loop.

If you want to explore more advanced macramé knots and plant hanger patterns, the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service has general DIY and crafting resources that can help you build skills over time (uky.edu).

What to Plant in Hanging Tin Cans

Hanging planters do best with plants that either trail nicely or stay compact. Good real-world examples include:

• String of pearls or string of bananas (for a trendy, draping look)
• Small spider plants (they’ll eventually send out baby spiderettes that hang down)
• Trailing pothos (tough and forgiving, great for beginners)
• Compact ivy varieties
• Flowering annuals like trailing petunias or calibrachoa for outdoor displays

For indoor hanging planters, make sure the plants are non-toxic if kids or pets are around. The ASPCA maintains a detailed list of toxic and non-toxic plants for pets (aspca.org). It’s worth checking before you choose.

Three Real Examples of Upcycled Hanging Tin Can Planters

To bring this second idea to life, picture these scenes:

• Kitchen window trio: Three small tomato-sauce cans painted white with thin black stripes, each holding a trailing pothos, hanging at staggered heights.
• Boho balcony cluster: A mix of tall coffee cans and short soup cans painted in sunset colors—coral, mustard, dusty pink—with jute-wrapped rims and wooden beads on the cords.
• Kids’ craft version: Cans painted with bright, messy patterns using kids’ acrylics, then sealed with a clear outdoor sealer and planted with hardy spider plants.

All three are vivid examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters that don’t take up any floor space but completely change the mood of a small area.

3. Magnetic and Wall-Mounted Tin Can Planters – The Most Space-Saving Examples of All

This third idea is where you really see creative examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters: 3 ideas becomes many when you start thinking vertically. These planters attach to a fridge, metal door, or mounted board, turning blank surfaces into living art.

Option A: Magnetic Tin Can Planters

For small, lightweight plants like succulents or air plants, magnets are a fun twist.

Here’s how to do it:

• Use smaller cans (like tuna or petite diced tomato cans) so they’re not too heavy.
• Paint the cans in bright, contrasting colors or patterns. Think color-blocked circles, polka dots, or a gradient from one can to the next.
• Glue two or three strong neodymium magnets to the back of each can with a heavy-duty adhesive.
• Let the glue cure fully before adding soil.

Plant with:

• Small succulents
• Air plants (no soil needed—just a bit of moss for looks)
• Tiny cactus varieties

These are some of the best examples of tin can upcycling for people in apartments, because you can stick them right on the fridge and create a mini vertical garden.

Option B: Mounted Tin Can Planters on Wood or Fencing

If you want something more permanent, mount cans to a board or directly to a fence.

• Choose a piece of reclaimed wood, a scrap of pallet wood, or an old shelf.
• Paint or stain the wood, or leave it natural for a rustic look.
• Screw hose clamps or metal brackets into the board, then slide the cans into the clamps and tighten.
• Alternatively, drill through the back of each can and screw it directly to the board.

This setup works well for:

• An outdoor herb wall near the grill, with each can labeled.
• A vertical flower display on a balcony.
• A kids’ sensory garden at child height, with plants they can touch and smell.

The National Gardening Association has ongoing resources and project ideas for small-space and container gardening, which can inspire even more variations on this wall-mounted approach (garden.org).

Real-World Wall Planter Examples

To round out our set of examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters, picture these wall-friendly scenes:

• Fridge succulent bar: Six shallow cans painted in a gradient from mint green to deep forest green, each holding a different tiny succulent, arranged in two neat rows.
• Fence herb rack: A weathered wood board with five cans painted in farmhouse colors—cream, sage, navy—each labeled with stenciled herb names.
• Kids’ rainbow wall: Cans painted in full rainbow order and attached to an outdoor fence, each with a different sensory plant: fuzzy lamb’s ear, lavender, mint, lemon balm, and marigolds.

Each one is a concrete example of how vertical, wall-mounted designs take the same tin can and give it a totally different job and personality.

Extra Design Ideas: Stretching These 3 Core Concepts Even Further

Even though we’ve focused on three main planter styles—painted herb cans, boho hanging cans, and magnetic/wall-mounted cans—there are many more real examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters that grow out of these basics.

Here are a few more ways to riff on the same ideas:

• Holiday-themed cans: Red, white, and blue cans for July, or black and orange cans for October, swapped out seasonally with different plants.
• Mosaic-covered cans: Glue on broken tile or glass pieces, then grout for a colorful, textured look.
• Stenciled quote planters: A row of cans, each with one word of a phrase like “Grow – Your – Own – Joy.”
• Kids’ handprint garden: Let kids press their painted handprints onto solid-color cans and plant them with “their” plant.

All of these build on the same three core examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters, just with different finishing touches.

FAQ: Real-World Questions About Upcycling Tin Cans into Planters

What are some simple examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters for beginners?

Some of the easiest starting points include a basic painted herb can on a windowsill, a single hanging tin can with a trailing pothos, or a small magnetic succulent can on your fridge. Each example of tin can upcycling uses the same simple steps: clean, smooth sharp edges, add drainage holes, paint, and plant.

Do I always need drainage holes in my tin can planters?

Yes, if you’re using regular potting soil and most common houseplants or herbs, you need drainage holes. Without them, water sits at the bottom and can lead to root rot. You can sometimes get away without holes if you use the can as a decorative outer pot and keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot inside it, removing it to water.

Are there examples of plants that are especially good for tin can planters?

Good examples include herbs like basil, thyme, and chives; small succulents; compact trailing plants like pothos; and small flowering annuals like pansies or petunias. Look for plants labeled as good for containers or small spaces.

Is it safe to use old food cans for growing edible plants?

In general, clean metal food cans are widely used in DIY gardening projects. Make sure they’re thoroughly washed, rust-free, and not lined with coatings that are flaking or damaged. If you’re concerned, you can use the tin can as an outer decorative cover and keep your edible plant in a food-safe plastic pot inside. For broader food safety guidance on containers and home gardening, the USDA and many state extensions offer resources on safe food handling and gardening practices (usda.gov).

How can I protect the paint on my outdoor tin can planters?

Use outdoor-rated or multi-surface acrylic paint and finish with a clear outdoor sealer. Try to keep painted cans out of constant standing water and, if possible, under some kind of overhang to reduce weather wear. Over time, a bit of chipping and patina can actually add to the charm.

These three core styles—painted herb cans, boho hanging planters, and magnetic or wall-mounted displays—are some of the best examples of upcycling tin cans into colorful planters: 3 ideas that can multiply into a whole collection of tiny gardens. Start with one can, one color, and one plant. Once you see how simple and satisfying it is, those “someday” cans in your recycling bin won’t stand a chance.