The Vintage Item At The Thrift Store You Can Transform Into Stylish Garden Planters

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

We are firm believers that just about any overlooked thrift store find can make the perfect large planter. As long as the material won't leach harmful chemicals into the soil and you can drill or punch in a few drainage holes, it's good to go. We've seen crafty creators up-cycle wine glasses into succulent holders, vintage metal mop buckets into patio planters, and upturned stained glass lampshades into flower pots. The options truly are endless. The newest item ripe for upcycling into a planter? Antique milk cans.

From the mid-1800s to the late 1920s, milk was shipped from farms to retailers and homes across the U.S. in 10-gallon cans made of heavy-gauge metal. Transported mostly by train, horse-drawn delivery wagons and, later, bumpy motorized delivery trucks, the cans had to be supremely durable. As milk containment technology improved, the early steel cans were replaced with sealable stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic cans. Today, it's pumped directly into large stainless steel insulated tankers for transport. The oldest milk cans are now popular collectors' items — as sought after as baseball cards or coins. 

When TikTok creator Zrad (who goes by the handle zradxr) spotted an old, rusting milk can at his local thrift store, he knew he had stumbled on something special. While Zrad more often refurbishes toys and appliances, he decided to give this milk can an upgrade, transforming it from an overlooked rusty vessel into a stunning new patio pot for a flowering plant. Look for your own can in thrift, vintage, and antique stores or shop online. Reseller sites like eBay and Etsy are great places to start. Expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $80 for one can. Can't find an old one? This new Vintiquewise Large Rustic Galvanized Metal Milk Can costs about $70.

There are big benefits to using galvanized steel for raised flower garden beds, so this simple DIY makes good sense. Your first step, just as Zrad's was, is to give the can a deep clean, especially if you purchased it secondhand rather than new. One important note: antique milk cans may contain lead. Use a swab-style lead test kit to check your can for lead before doing any work on your can. If the test is negative, you can move onto cleaning.

Since you'll most likely be dealing with rusty, zinc-coated steel or iron, use a mild cleaner, like dish soap or Aunt Fannie's All Purpose Bathroom Cleaner. Abrasive cleaners can scratch the coating on the surface of the can, leading to more or deeper rust. You'll also need a soft rag and access to running water. If you encounter tough stains or patches of stubborn debris on the can, use oil (like WD40) or vinegar and a plastic-bristled brush to remove them.

@zradxr

I picked up this vintage milk can at a thrift store, and there was only one thing it was meant to become, a planter. I kept every bit of its original patina because painting it would've taken away its charm. That rustic look is everything. When you're doing DIY projects, preserving as much of the original material as possible is key, that's what gives antiques their real character. #thrift #thrifting #vintage #diy #diyproject

♬ Man Of The North by Liam St. John – mrliamstjohn

Next, fire up your drill fitted with a cobalt or carbide bit and use it to create drainage holes in the base of the can. If you plan to use your milk can planter outdoors, coat it with a clear, rust-preventing enamel spray to protect it from wild weather. Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Matte Clear Spray Paint is a good choice at a bit over $6 a can. Finally, it's time to add soil and plants. Even if your antique can doesn't contain lead, you don't know the exact metal composition, and that makes it unsafe for edible plants. Stick to flowering annuals instead. To save money, add a filler — think rocks, scrunched cardboard, pinecones, or dry twigs — to the can before your potting mix.