DIY Tin Succulent Planter

3 Materials
$15
30 Minutes
Easy

Use any old tin ( as long as it's deep enough) as a creative new planter for succulents!

Succulents are fairly low maintenance, and this is perfect for low-key gardeners and children (who may forget their plants…whoops!). But they also come in a large variety of shapes and sizes. There are trailing succulents, such as string of pearls or string of bananas, useful succulents like aloe, and others. So there’s really something for everyone. In fact, in my first succulent planter project ( DIY Hanging Succulent Planter), I chose string of banana succulents because they are so beautiful cascading down the side of the planter. 


I chose this tin because it is a throwback to my childhood. I remember getting this tin full of cookies when my family and I lived in Wiesbaden, Germany, so it always brings about sweet memories (pun intended). The bright colors have retained beautifully, and it’s such a fun image on the side. I used to use it for Christmas cookies, but its smaller size doesn’t hold all of the cookies we now bake each December. So, it’s been sitting in storage for the past few years and is finally getting some new life. 

So feel free to grab a tin from the dollar store, a yard sale, back in the kitchen cabinet, or from the thrift store. Any tin will do as long as it’s deep enough for the succulents you’ve chosen. If you don’t like the design on the side of your tin, feel free to take a little spray paint to the outside. (I’m all about  spray painting planters over here!) 

Also, see the video at the bottom for a step-by-step of the entire process!


  • Tin (with or without lid)
  • Succulents (the amount and variety are up to you)
  • Potting Soil (I use a  mix for succulents because it drains well)
  • Rocks 


Step one: Begin by placing a single layer of rock in the bottom of your tin. Fill in around the rocks with a bit of succulent soil.

Step two: Still in their containers, place your succulents in the tin and determine how you want them arranged. Feel free to play around with what goes where. Remember, to keep taller plants towards the back. Once you’ve decided on placement, turn plants upside down and gently squeeze the sides of the container. The succulent should come easily out of the container. Use fingers to break up any soil around the roots and then place in tin. Repeat with the remaining succulents.   

Step three: Using the succulent soil, fill in any gaps between succulents. 


Step four: Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe away any soil that may be stuck to the edge or sides of your tin succulent planter. 


Step five: Display! And be sure to use the tag that came with your succulents to properly water and care for your plants.


Resources for this project:
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Courtney |The Kitchen Garten
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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