Quick Planter from Repurposed Colander

When I found an aqua colander at the Goodwill Outlet Store, I knew it was going to be a hanging planter. The color was my perfect color, it had plenty of drainage, and the handles meant no drilling or hardware necessary. I thought the bits of rust only added to its charm, and that rust was probably why it was at the outlet. This was one of my favorite thrifts! I feel happy just looking at my repurposed colander planter, and it’s still being used.

I had this ugly plastic pot begging to be put out of the neighbor’s misery. Really, I don’t think it’s that bad for a plastic pot, because the green blended in and made the plant look fuller. There are worse pots, but it had no style. It was high time for an upgrade, and this thrifted colander with the pop of aqua was just right. (You know the before/after shots when “before” is sans makeup, not smiling, and hair needs fixed? That’s this shot, but hey, this is my real life!)

After I put them beside each other, I found the colander was quite a bit shallower than the plastic pot. My plant needed all that soil, so I extended the colander by lining it with scraps of burlap. It probably needed watered more than it would’ve in a pot that fit, because burlap lets water evaporate quickly. Plants in pots need more careful watering, because they dry out faster in the heat than those planted in the ground. It was sitting in full sun in Florida, so it needed watering morning and evening most days.

Putting it Together

Full disclosure: At this point, I was not a gardener. Before repotting, I wet the scraps of burlap which might have kept the burlap from moving around so much. I made the hanger from colorful clothesline I found at Dollar Tree. When I find stuff like that at Dollar Tree, I just buy it for my craft stash. The use will reveal itself eventually.

First, I cut 2 long pieces of cord and found the center which I wrapped around the colander handles. I did the same thing on the other side then took all 4 ends, made a loop, and knotted them. Then I trimmed the ends. I held it up to make sure it was hanging evenly and made adjustments. I wouldn’t bother with this step again, but I added wire from Dollar Tree and wrapped the clothesline around it. The clothesline is synthetic and seems very strong. This held all summer and fall in Florida and I changed it now that we’re in SoCal because it was dingy. The repurposed colander planter is going strong in California and has many years left! I’m getting my money’s worth! haha!

The Cost

• colander $2.25
• clothesline from craft stash
• wire (optional) from craft stash
• burlap scraps – leftover pieces from another project

And this aqua colander matches the pallet wood sign I painted! The thrifted birdhouse hangs on the hook when flowers are out of season. I had a thrifted (of course) metal stand for it . . . somewhere. Honestly, I wasn’t planning to blog this picture when I took it, and it’d been raining for days on end. I’m not even going to pretend that I’m ashamed my porch had a sprinkling of leaves and mulch. I’m relieved it didn’t have more.

I looked at the colander and saw hanging planter, but it could’ve been a light fixture or decorative bowl. What would you have done with it? Let me know in the comments!