Turn An Old Muffin Tin Into A Cute, Upcycled Succulent Garden

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If you're looking for a unique way to display your succulents, the answer might be hiding in the back of your pantry. Those old muffin tins you shoved in the cabinet last fall can finally get new life with this simple, beginner-friendly DIY. We're going to upcycle that old muffin tin and turn it into a cute little succulent planter.

Succulents can thrive as indoor or outdoor plants, making this one of the many innovative ways to repurpose muffin tins around the house. These planters look cute on a windowsill or as part of your garden or patio decor. Succulents also love well-drained soil, which makes the small cups of a muffin tin perfect, as the less soil there is, the quicker it will drain and dry. You can also feel good about doing something positive for the environment by upcycling an item that otherwise might have ended up in the landfill.

For this DIY, you will need a muffin tin, succulents, and soil. You'll also need a tool for poking drainage holes — either a drill with a small bit or a sharp-ended object like an awl. Garden gloves are optional for those who like to keep their hands clean while working with potting soil. You can also use extra rocks or decorative items to accessorize your planter.

Start by washing the muffin tin with soap and water to remove any lingering food particles. You don't have to make the muffin tin look brand new unless you want a shinier finish. But the vintage look is okay, too. Next, poke a drainage hole in the bottom of each muffin cavity. If you have a handheld drill with a small bit, use that. Alternatively, you can use an awl, which is similar to an ice pick. Flip the muffin tin upside down and push the sharp end of the awl through, using a hammer if needed. Then place a small foot pad, like these Scotch Clear Adhesive Bumper Pads from Amazon, on each corner of the bottom of the tin. This is going to slightly elevate the muffin tin when you set it down, so the drainage holes can effectively release excess moisture.

Select the same number of succulents as muffin cups (tins usually come in 6- or 12-cup sizes). Choose colorful succulents that thrive indoors or outdoors. For the potting soil, combine peat moss and coarse sand or perlite in equal parts. Fill each of the muffin cups with soil and gently place one succulent in each cup. You can add decorative pebbles or rocks if you'd like. Be sure to water the succulents when the soil feels dry to the touch. If keeping the succulents indoors, place the planter on a tray or in a sink when watering to catch excess water from the drainage holes.