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Grow Anywhere: Smart and Creative Container Gardening Ideas

By: Angela Judd | December 16, 2024

Over the years, I’ve learned that the best container gardening ideas often come from reimagining what a garden “container” can be. By using an old compost bin, cement blocks, grow bags, or even an old mailbox or toolbox, I’ve learned how to grow more plants in less space by thinking outside the usual pot. In this post, I’ll share the container gardening ideas I’ve personally used to create a more productive, beautiful, and sustainable garden.

If you’re ready to get creative and give everyday items a second life, join me as I show you how to reuse materials, save space, and turn unexpected objects into thriving, eye-catching garden containers. Let’s explore these container gardening ideas together and discover new ways to grow what you love—no matter how much (or how little) space you have.

Article Index:

Repurpose just about anything when you look for creative container gardening ideas
Front door flower basket
Repurpose mailboxes for container gardens
Use a bird bath as a container garden
Use toolboxes for a container garden
Garden in concrete blocks
Container garden in half-whiskey barrels
Grow a container garden in compost bins
Grow bags – add space anywhere
Maximize space with a GreenStalk vertical planter

Repurpose just about anything when you look for creative container gardening ideas

One of the best things about container gardening is that almost anything can be turned into a planter if you get creative. Everyday items can be repurposed to grow plants and add personality to your garden. Look around your home, garage, or local thrift store for unique containers like vintage buckets, wooden crates, metal tubs, or even an old sink. Gardening with kids? Containers are a fun and simple way to give children their own space to garden.

Not only does repurposing save money, but it’s also a sustainable way to reduce waste while creating a garden space that’s uniquely yours. When choosing items to repurpose, make sure they have proper drainage or can be adapted with drilled holes, and always consider the size and needs of the plants you’re growing. You can save even more money buy refreshing old potting soil with the information in this guide.

Keep in Mind

Planter Depth Matters: The depth of your container determines the size of the roots it can support, so choose accordingly. Learn the best size containers to use in this guide to container sizes.
Metal Containers Heat Up: Small metal containers can get very hot and dry out quickly, especially in summer. Stick to drought-tolerant plants during hotter months.
Watch for Lead Paint: Vintage items may have lead paint, so avoid using them for edible plants if you’re unsure about their safety.
Handle With Care: When drilling drainage holes in metal containers, be mindful of sharp edges and shards—use gloves and work carefully.
Plant With Confidence: Use this list of the 20 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening to help you decide what to plant.
Understand the Basics: If you are new to gardening, use this Container Gardening for Beginners guide.

I wrote a book about container gardening. Learn more about the book “How to Grow Your Own Food: A Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening” in this post or purchase the book here.

Front Door Flower Basket: A Beautiful and Practical DIY

I wanted to grow flowers on my front door, and this basket turned out to be the perfect choice. I lined it with coco coir to hold the soil and plants securely, and I couldn’t wait to fill it with colorful blooms. It was such a fun project, and I love how it adds a welcoming, vibrant touch to my entrance.

To make it practical, I take the basket off the door when it’s time to water, which helps keep the door clean and makes watering easier. Keep in mind that once the basket is filled, it can get heavy, so be sure to use a strong hook to support it. With a little planning, a front door flower basket is a simple, rewarding way to bring a bit of garden charm to your entryway.

Repurpose mailboxes for container gardens

Old mailboxes can add a fun and eye-catching touch to your garden. Their compact size and sturdy structure make them a great fit for a variety of plants. Whether you’re working with a vintage find or a modern mailbox that’s no longer in use, a little creativity can transform it into a decorative and functional planter.

To get started, drill a few small holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill the mailbox with a lightweight potting mix. These containers are perfect for shallow-rooted plants like succulents, herbs, or trailing flowers such as nasturtiums and petunias. If you’re using a vertical mailbox, cascading plants can create a dramatic effect.

Mount the mailbox on a post for added height, or set it on the ground for a rustic vibe. An old mailbox can become a charming focal point in your garden.

Repurpose mailboxes for container gardens

Use a bird bath as a container garden

A bird bath can make a charming and functional addition to your garden—not just for birds but for plants too. The shallow design is ideal for creating a stunning display of shallow-rooted succulents, or cheerful annuals like violas.

When planting in a bird bath, remember that the shallow soil can dry out quickly, especially in warm weather. You’ll need to hand water this type of container often. If you’re growing succulents, place bird bath in filtered sunlight and make sure it gets afternoon shade.

Use toolboxes for a container garden

Toolboxes make surprisingly great planters, especially if you’re looking for something unique and compact. I wanted to add a planter to the ladders in my garden, and a toolbox sitting on one of the steps turned out to be the perfect fit.

Vintage toolboxes are easy to find at thrift stores, or you might already have one gathering dust in your garage. Their sturdy structure works well for annual flowers like zinnias or herbs like thyme. Just drill a few drainage holes in the bottom, fill it with a lightweight potting mix, and you’ve got a creative container garden with a rustic touch.

Garden in concrete blocks

Using concrete blocks in my garden started as a practical solution. I needed an affordable, DIY-friendly way to create a garden border. Once the border was in place, I noticed the block openings were perfect for planting. I filled the holes with compost and planted nasturtium seeds. That was five years ago, and thanks to winter rains, the nasturtiums reseed themselves and come back year after year.

In the summer, though, the holes heat up too much and dry out quickly, making it difficult for plants to thrive. To avoid stressing plants, I leave the holes empty during the hottest months. If you want a year-round solution, consider planting drought-tolerant varieties or using mulch to help retain moisture.

Container garden in half-whiskey barrels

The large size and rustic charm of half-whiskey barrels make them one of my favorite options for container gardening. Their ample space allows for growing a wide variety of plants, from dwarf citrus trees to nearly any vegetable or flower.

Whether you’re creating a stunning floral display, planting a productive vegetable garden, or adding a fruit tree to your space, half-barrels provide plenty of room for roots to grow while adding character to your garden. If you’re thinking about growing citrus in half-whiskey barrels, learn more about growing citrus in containers in this guide.

Volunteer Pumpkins in the Compost Bin: A Happy Surprise

In the spring, my compost bins are usually overflowing, and I love spreading that nutrient-rich compost around the yard. One year, I got a surprise—Halloween pumpkin seeds sprouted in the bins and started growing right through the compost. Instead of pulling them out, I decided to embrace the unexpected. I thinned the seedlings down to one plant per bin, and before I knew it, I had healthy, thriving pumpkin plants growing straight from my compost barrels.

One of the joys of gardening is staying open to surprises and letting volunteer plants have their moment. Whether they pop up in a compost pile, a raised bed, or a forgotten corner of the garden, these little surprises are often a reminder that plants have a way of thriving where you least expect it.

Grow Bags: A Simple and Versatile Container Garden

Grow bags are an inexpensive and easy way to expand your garden space. You can find them on Amazon or even repurpose reusable canvas bags for a budget-friendly option. Their portability and flexibility make them perfect for any garden size or setup.

Grow bags can dry out quickly, so it’s important to monitor moisture levels regularly. If you’re new to using grow bags, check out this post for more tips on gardening in them. When not in use, they’re easy to clean, fold, and store away until you need them again. Another great feature is their versatility—you can move them around your garden to make the most of available space and sunlight as the seasons change. If you’re interested, you can read more here about how to grow potatoes in grow bags. It’s a fun, flexible way to try new things in your garden!

Maximize space with a GreenStalk vertical planter

When space is limited, a vertical planter like the GreenStalk is an excellent solution. With its seven-tier design, this freestanding vertical planter provides 42 planting pockets, each with a 7-inch depth, allowing you to grow a variety of leafy greens, root vegetables, and herbs—all in the same compact footprint.

To get the best results, fill the pockets with high-quality potting soil, as garden soil can be too heavy for proper drainage. Fertilizing is simple—just add liquid fertilizer to the top tray when watering, and it distributes evenly throughout the tiers. Keep in mind that above-ground containers can dry out quickly in summer, so regular watering is essential to keep plants thriving. If you’re interested in purchasing a GreenStalk, you can see them here. Use code GITG10 to save.