We recently bought a hanging plant for our dining room, but it came in a cheap plastic hanging basket that was both ugly and non-functional, since it had drain holes in the bottom but no tray to catch drips. Inspired by the Thrifty Chicks, I went shopping for a lightweight enamel pot, and found one at Goodwill for three dollars. A few holes drilled in the bottom turned it into a planter, and the lid turned upside down worked as a catch tray underneath.
To hang it up, I used an old pair of my husband’s jeans that he had donated to my fabric stash. I cut strips out of the legs, folded them over to make them double-strength, sewed strips together to get the length I needed, and then threaded them through the handles on the pot and the lid. I sewed loops in the ends of the strips and threaded them through a carabiner that I found in the garage.
Here’s the finished product, which cost a total of three dollars since all of the other supplies were things we already had:
BD says
How did you drill through the enamel? I have a couple of small Ikea planters that I picked up dirt cheap, but there are no drain holes. I’m afraid a normal drill bit would cause large cracks in the material, which I think is enamel or ceramic over terra cotta.
FrugalBabe says
BD, With the pot I used, the enamel is over a very light metal. I picked it because it was so light weight, and adds very little weight to the whole arrangement. It was a simple process to drill the holes with a regular 1/4 inch bit, and there was no cracking. There is definitely no terra cotta or ceramic in the pot I used – just metal covered with enamel.
I have used planters in the past that didn’t have drain holes. To provide drainage for the soil and roots, I covered the bottom of the pot with a thick layer of gravel, and then added the soil. It’s not as good as holes, but better than having no drainage at all.
Zella says
Cool! Glad to be reminded of this– ReadyMade had a thing about using an old colander for a hanging basket, with a wire clotheshanger for the hook… I’ve been wanting to give it a try, so maybe this spring I’ll try it for an outdoor hanging planter, but I’m glad to see another object works in case I can’t find an old colander. I wouldn’t think to drill holes in an enamel pot. The wind where I am is way too fierce in the winter for anything outside, and I don’t have hooks to use inside (they frequently get dedicated to an indoor clothesline).
mc says
thought of you — we got a great older style wood and metal small chair and desk for a toddler or preschooler on the craigslist free section. we will spray paint the metal with great shiny red paint we already have. our toddler loves it
Deborah Schneider says
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome tip! I love reading your blog. You are my frugal inspiration. :)