Upcycle Old Corks Into A Creative Way To Plant Mini Succulents With A Simple DIY

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If you love wine or tend to open a bottle on special occasions, chances are you have a drawer full of corks reminding you of happy occasions. But if you're a little short on storage space and could do with an empty drawer, you might have to part with your memory-filled corks. However, if you're loath to toss them away, there are various ways you can repurpose wine corks around your house. For instance, you can turn them into mini succulent planters with a simple DIY. This way, you can give them a new lease on life and continue growing your succulents as decor.

To get started, prepare your workspace. Since you'll be hollowing out the corks, it's best if you lay down an old newspaper or repurpose a plastic bag to minimize clean-up later. When that's done, get a few corks, depending on how many mini succulent planters you wish to create. In case you don't have enough, ask your neighbors, family, or friends if they're willing to share a couple from their stash. Otherwise, you can get a packet from your local thrift store or order a pack online, like Impnit's 20-Pack of Soft Wood Wine Corks.

Additionally, you'll need a drill along with ¼-inch and ½-inch drill bits. Alternatively, a sharp utility knife, and a screwdriver will work, too. Now, if you'd like to display your mini succulents on a windowsill or coffee table, glue a penny to the bottom of each cork to give it a stable base. But if you wish to spice up your boring refrigerator, get some strong neodymium magnets to mount them. You'll also need a glue gun, some potting mix, a dropper, and some small succulents.

Though turning your wine corks into mini succulent holders won't take a lot of time, you'll have to dedicate a few minutes to hollow out each solid cork. If you have a drill with the required bits, first use the larger one to create an initial hole in the center of your cork. Then, switch to the smaller bit and continue drilling until you've hollowed out about 1 to 1½ inches of the cork. Go slow since you don't want to accidentally drill all the way through. Once done, turn your cork upside-down to get rid of the debris.

However, if you don't have a drill or the required bits handy, use a screwdriver to poke a hole at the top. Now, grab your craft knife to deepen the hole and create room for your succulents. Don't dig beyond a 1 to 1½-inch hole. You can hollow out a cork with just a utility knife, too, but without a pilot hole to make the process easier, you risk injuring yourself if you apply too much pressure. Plus, it'll take more time and effort, which can quickly add up if you plan on DIYing quite a few mini succulents for your home.

Take your carved-out corks and glue pennies at the bottom to use them as standalone decor. Otherwise, glue a magnet along the middle of your cork's spine if you plan on making your own fridge magnets. Once the adhesive dries, fill the hole with a little bit of potting soil. You can add it in using your fingers or rely on a spoon for a mess-free process. However, don't pack it in too tight; you want enough wiggle room around for your plants.

Now, for the exciting part: pluck clippings from the potted succulents around your home, or get their miniature versions from your local nursery. Keep in mind they shouldn't be much larger than half the length of your cork planters, or they'll have trouble settling into their "new home." When you have them, carefully place them in, sprinkle in a little more soil, and tamp it down so they don't fall out with a little movement. Feel free to add more than one succulent in each cork, but avoid overcrowding them. Otherwise, they'll have to fight for limited resources.

You can also mix and match varied colors and textures for an alluring finish. Once you're satisfied, add a few drops of water with a dropper before moving them to their resting place or your fridge door. Ensure they receive indirect sunlight and keep watering them weekly or every ten days to keep them alive. But if this all seems like too much work, feel free to use artificial succulents for your DIY. In case the planters look too simple or rustic for your tastes, give them a few coats of paint, drape scrap fabric, or use washi tape to make them look high-end.