Upcycle Beer Cans Into Unique Hanging Planters For Trailing Plants

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We've been told not to judge a book by its cover, but how many times has a beer can with a pretty label drawn your eye? Even non-drinkers might experience the same draw with pretty cans of soda or sparkling water. Don't toss aluminum cans (beer or not) when you can make aesthetically pleasing ones into hanging planters. This is an easy way to create growing space while reusing colorful or even beautiful containers that are also durable. Hung from chains or wire — maybe wires laden with sun-catching beads? — this eco-friendly DIY hanging planter idea creates festive vessels for trailing plants. What's better than enjoying a cold craft beer, then making the container into a planter? A group of can planters, that's what. Edge an overhang or pergola with a party's worth of drink cans spilling over with greenery.

Pick the prettiest can (or cans) to repurpose in your yard and garden. Then, gather up a can opener, a utility knife and/or a nail, pliers, sandpaper, and one section of chain or wire per can at least 12 inches long. (You can adjust the length of the chain or wire to fit the plants the container will hold as well as the spot you'll be hanging them.) Since you'll be working with potentially sharp metal edges, a pair of protective gloves is also smart to have on hand. If you're using wire to hang the can(s), also grab a wire cutter and an optional decoration for the wire, like these Laopottbeads Assorted Glass Beads.

Start by washing the can thoroughly then using the can opener to remove the top. The remaining ring around the can's mouth will help it maintain its structure and prevent some risk of injuries. Following this line of thought, grab the protective gloves and the sandpaper, and give the cut metal edges around the inside of the can's mouth a rubdown to dull the edges. While still wearing the gloves, poke two small holes — one directly across the mouth from the other — into the small margin between the walls of the can and the mouth. You can start the hole with the tip of the utility blade, then round it out with a nail or simply turn the blade slightly to widen the hole. Follow the same steps to make three or four drainage holes in the bottom of the can. Loop the ends of the chain or wire through the two hanging holes; add beads to the wire if that strikes your fancy.

As for plants that give you cascading foliage, aim for ones that will do well in small containers. The trailing plants that are typically perfect for hanging baskets might not be the right fit for your beer can planter. Stick with plant plugs that don't have large root balls. A few crowd-pleasing trailing plants are vinca vine and ipomoea. Vinca vines show off green and white variegated leaves and purple flowers. For something uncommon, the 'Sidekick Black' cultivar of the Sweetpotato vine (Ipomoea batatas) has deep purplish-black leaves.