Elevate Your Plant Pots With A Simple Cork Hack

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Sometimes, the most inconvenient part of owning indoor or outdoor potted plants is bending over whenever you tend to your plant pets. And if you suffer from back issues or simply prefer pots that are a bit elevated, you may find yourself leaning towards taller plant stands or just placing your pots on things such as side tables, balcony ledges, or plant hangers. But there is one alternative to this that you may not have considered. The alternative is corkscrews. This Instagram-worthy DIY cork hack lifts your green friends and your aesthetic in just under 10 minutes. So, that cork from your vintage Cabernet bottle that you were about to toss — save it!

Raised planter pots not only provide the advantage of easy access, but they also are great for improving drainage and promoting airflow within a plant's soil. Adequate soil aeration leads to healthy roots. Healthy roots lead to a healthier, thriving plant. Using a cork to elevate your planter pot also has sustainability and decor-ish benefits. 

Saving your old bottle corks and upcycling them is a convenient way to increase their lifecycle and pay it forward for the sake of the environment. Not a drinker? No problem. You can buy a set of 100 LI&HI Premium Recycled Natural Wine Corks for about $15. If you're tired of shelling out money for plant pot holders or stands, this budget-friendly alternative is worthy of a glance. And who knows, you may discover other interesting ways to repurpose corks around the house.

There are so many different household items that you can turn into beautiful planters or accessories. And don't sleep on those wine bottles that can be repurposed for use in your garden. But this corkscrew hack ranks high on the list due to functionality and ease. For this project, you'll simply need to gather your corkscrews, a hand saw, like this VANQUISH Aluminum Frame Mini Wood Hack Saw (or a bread knife), and a cutting board. Lay your cork on the board and use the saw to cut it in half. That's it, that's the hack! 

Not into the boho look? Try staining or painting the corks to create a more blended feel within your decor. Experiment with Ambro-Sol Multi-Purpose Acrylic Spray Paint for a shiny, vibrant finish, or try a FolkArt Home Decor Ultra Matte Chalk Finish Acrylic Craft Paint for a more subtle look. Given the size of the pieces, you shouldn't need a primer, but if you do, there are several options. Add an all-purpose glue like Gorilla Clear Glue if you want your new mini stands to become a permanent placement on the bottom of your planters. This will ensure they don't go anywhere should you change the planter's location.

Corks you find online or in craft stores may already come with an etched or burned design, so consider creating your own designs to make them unique with an etching pen. Layering and bundling the corks together is a great way to elevate (literally and figuratively) your planters further. Or, if you're feeling more creative, glue them together in interesting shapes like circles or pillars to create a more interesting stand.