DIY A Hanging Herb Planter With Repurposed Coffee Pods

Picture yourself rolling through your morning routine: the coffee brews, rich aroma fills the air around, and soon enough, you're cradling your go-to cup of happiness. It's such a vibe. But there's that moment of anti-climax when you're left with a spent coffee pod, a tiny vessel of used grounds seemingly destined for the trash — except, it doesn't have to be. With a few tweaks to the pods, a scoop of potting mix, a careful selection of seedlings, and a splice of strings and hooks, you can repurpose these plastic cups into stunning DIY hanging planters for herbs. It's a slick, eco-friendly twist to your morning ritual that gives those pods a new purpose.

For this DIY, all you need are spent coffee pods, a bit of string, hooks, herb seedlings, scissors, and a handful of potting soil. Most of these items are already within your reach or are easy grabs from the store without the heartache of busting your wallet. Just a heads-up: Some herbs, with their sprawling roots (ahem, lavender) might throw a fit in such snug planters. It's a friendly reminder that while you're aiming for that lush, indoor jungle look, your green companions will thrive best when matched with the right planter capacity. For coffee pod planters, go for the compact herbs, and perhaps be ready to upsize their containers when they start outgrowing their mini homes. And remember, it's a single plant per pod.

Repurposing your old coffee pods into hanging planters begins with snipping off the top foil with scissors and dumping out the coffee grind. Leave the filter as it is — it's going to cradle the plant and soil. After all, it's compostable. Next, give those little cups a good wash and rinse. Now, for that touch of DIY flair, whip out a hole punch and make two holes just beneath each cup's rim. 

Next, double up a lengthy dental floss strand for a stronger hold, thread one end through one of the holes you just punched, and tie it off inside the cup with a solid knot. Then, you'll want to slip the strand's other end into the other hole, securing it inside with another knot. Go ahead and replicate these steps for the remaining pods. Feeling a bit artsy and fancy a quirky twist to the setup? Link a couple of pods with strands, so they'll hang off a single hook but at different heights.

Time to get those mini planters ready — load each with potting soil, and tuck in your herb seedlings. Water each just enough to moisten the soil without making it waterlogged. Next up is scouting for a well-lit wall spot near a window that could use some green flair. Secure those suction cup hooks at your chosen height, then slide the string of each planter (or a pair) over its dedicated hook. 

Now, you might be itching to add drainage holes to your DIY pots. However, pump the brakes because there's already one at the bottom. But then, there's the dreaded water stains on your floor from those dangling plants. While mounting a drip pan saucer to each planter is a puzzle, why not just slide a basin beneath all that green for about 20 minutes post-watering to catch the drips? And for those who aren't exactly fans of the constant watering, adding water-absorbing crystals to the potting mix could be your saving grace. Those little wonders will grab onto water and gradually release it to the herb's roots.

Now about hanging your coffee pod planters, dental floss is fine, but have you thought about repurposing old yarn or shoelaces? They're more than capable of the job and add a bit of a rustic touch. You see those coffee grounds from used pods? Toss them into the potting mix — it turns out they are fantastic for drainage and structure, as they nourish beneficial microorganisms. If suction cup hooks aren't your thing, check out magnetic hooks like the GREATMAG magnetic hooks, a set of 6 going for $12.99 at Amazon — they just need a metal surface to cling onto. But why stop at simply hanging your herbs when you could give those pods some flair with a splash of paint, funky stickers, or stick-and-peel decals? It's all about putting your unique stamp on it.