Upcycle Toilet Paper Rolls Around Your Garden With These Effortless DIYs

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If you've ever thought about reducing your eco-footprint and love any reason to play in the garden, do we have a few ideas for you. Toilet paper roll tubes are one of the most versatile gardening tools out there. Whether it's seedlings, pest control, organization — you name it — these biodegradable wonders give your plants the boost they need to be happy and healthy. And since they're made of plain cardboard, they naturally break down in the soil and even contribute a bit of organic matter as they decompose.

Sure, gardeners have been leaning on clever upcycling projects for decades, but toilet paper rolls hit a particular sweet spot since, they're free (once you use the TP, of course), abundant, and easy to adapt. So, let's go through some of our favorite toilet paper DIY garden projects and show you how even the most craft project-averse person can still transform these would-be trash items into gardening gold, while doing a little good for the planet, too.

Toilet paper tubes are famous for being the best little seedling starters, but you might not know why. They help give each seedling the space it needs without having to compete. Plus, the tubes break down in the soil, making them great for plants that don't like to be transplanted or moved around too much; just pop them in the garden and you're good to go. To make them even more effective, cut small flaps at one end and fold them in to create a base, so the soil won't spill out.

Toilet paper roll tubes don't need to stay at ground level to make your plants happy. With a little paint, a hole punch, and some string, you can turn them into hanging planters for seedlings or air plants. Use paint that is waterproof, so that the tubes don't break down, and consider poking a few small holes at the bottom to ensure the soil doesn't get waterlogged. A bit of twine or ribbon threaded through the sides adds the final touch, allowing you to hang them wherever you want.

Worms might not be your favorite friends, but they do wonders for garden soil. Plus, they aren't picky eaters, so toilet paper tubes are basically a buffet. The cardboard gives compost bin-living worms a food source and create little air pockets that help keep your heap aerated. One tip: Tear or cut the rolls into smaller pieces before tossing them in. The extra surface area helps them soften faster, and your worms will thank you by breaking the material down more quickly, giving you healthy garden compost in less time.

Garden pests like cutworms can be brutal on plants, chewing right through vulnerable stems. A simple cardboard ring cut from toilet paper tubes make great pest control, because they work like a mini fortress, temporarily protecting plants until they're strong enough to hold their own. Just slice the tube into a few wide rings and slip them over a plant. Press them gently into the soil so that nothing can sneak underneath, but leave a few inches above ground to prevent creepy crawlies from getting to the plant, too.

Birds are garden friends, too, so use some extra toilet paper tubes to make them a treat. First, thread twine or string through the tube so that you have a way to hang it. Then, spread peanut butter over the tube and roll it around a bird seed mix, then hang in a spot where the birds will notice. If you're worried about the peanut butter melting in the sun, mix it with a bit of cornmeal to keep it firm. 

While toilet paper roll tubes are too small to act as a full weed barrier, they're awesome for filling in those little gaps between bigger pieces of cardboard. Just cut the tubes lengthwise and flatten them, then tuck them where weeds might sneak through — you'd be surprised how resourceful those suckers are. The cardboard blocks light long enough to slow weed growth and breaks down over time, adding organic matter to the soil. For best results, layer the flattened pieces so no cracks are left uncovered.

Twine and string make versatile gardening tools when you need to support plants or map out a border, but they can become a tangled mess quickly. Toilet paper tubes to the rescue again, because they make perfect little spools that keep things neat. You can cut a slice in them to feed the string through or just roll it once and tie a knot to keep the string, jute, or even floral wire in place, then roll the spool.

Cut toilet paper tubes can easily be turned into compostable DIY plant labels, making it easy to keep track of what you planted where. Just cut the tubes lengthwise and flatten, then write the plant name directly onto the cardboard and plant near your seedlings, or tie them with string and hang. If you want them to hold up a little longer, coat the outside with a thin layer of beeswax or tape so that rain doesn't wash away your label before your plants are big enough to identify on their own.

Seedlings are vulnerable to sudden temperature changes, but toilet paper tubes can help protect them from a snap cold drop. Just slip a roll over each seedling and fill the inside with straw, shredded paper, or dry leaves. The cardboard creates a little buffer against the cold, while the fillings act as insulation. For an even sturdier shield, press the bottom of the tube into the soil so that the wind doesn't mess with it and remove it once the weather warms back up.

Toilet paper tubes aren't just meant for the soil. With a few careful cuts and some paint, they can be transformed into cute little garden lanterns. Snip slits or patterns into the cardboard so light can shine through, then coat with weatherproof paint, or leave them bare if you're keeping them inside. Use a LED tea light — you can get the KOBAY 12 Pack LED Tea Lights for under $5 — and thread the top with some string to hang. 

Sharp garden knives are handy, but leaving them uncovered is an accident waiting to happen. A toilet paper tube can be turned into a quick sheath that keeps the blade, and you, safe. Just flatten a tube, slide the knife inside, and tape up the ends to hold it in place. For longer blades, you can tape two or more rolls together to cover the full length. It's not a permanent solution, but it's good enough for protecting yourself if you ever lose your knife sheath.

Saving seeds from one season to the next is a smart way to cut costs, and toilet paper tubes can be folded into tidy little envelopes to keep them safe. Just flatten a tube, fold one end over twice to create a sealed bottom, and fill with seeds. Fold the top down and secure with tape, a paper clip, or a cute label. Then, use a marker to write the plant name and harvest date right on the envelope, so you'll know what's inside when planting time rolls around again.

Delicate seedlings and cuttings can flop over before they get a chance to take root, but toilet paper tubes can make excellent biodegradable supports. You can either cut the tube in half or use as-is, depending on the length of the plant, then slide it over the foliage. Push it down a smidge so that the soil helps keep it in place. Then, as the plant becomes stronger, you can either remove the tube or push it down into the soil so that it biodegrades and gives your plant a nutrient boost. 

Bees are some of the best pollinators around and you can make them happy by using toilet paper tubes to help them fill out a bee hotel. All you need is a larger container, like a tin can or plastic bottle, to act as the hotel frame. Cut the tubes and roll them so that they look like cinnamon sticks, then bundle them together and insert into the hotel to create nesting chambers for solitary bees. Now, just place your hotel in a sunny, protected spot.

If you prefer jars to envelopes as a place to store seeds, dress them up with custom labels made from toilet paper tubes. Just cut the tubes into strips, flatten, then decorate however you like. One idea is to use craft scissors to create a zagged edge border, but whatever you've got handy works, too. Punch a hole in the top and thread with string to tie onto the jar, then use a marker or pen to label the seed type and harvest date. It's a simple, rustic way to keep your seed storage organized.

Got a lot of tubes lying around? Turn them into papercrete planters. Papercrete is a mix of paper pulp, cement, and water that makes a surprisingly strong material. Shred the tubes into strips, then soak them in water to create the pulp base. Next, mix in cement and pour into molds (you can use old planters), then let dry and release. Poke holes in the bottom for drainage, then fill with soil and add your plant. It's a great way to have more plant pots without using plastic.