Not Cookware: The Antique Copper Garden Item Collectors Dream Of Finding

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

When people think of valuable copper items, it's usually the cookware brands you should snag if you see them at the thrift store that first come to mind. Vintage copper pots and pans have long been prized for their craftsmanship, durability, and timelessness. However, gardeners are searching for a different kind of copper treasure when thrifting: antique watering cans. Much like the many vintage kitchen accessories that are making a comeback, old watering cans were built with quality materials and designed to last for generations. Copper versions are especially appealing because the metal develops a rich patina over time, giving each piece a unique appearance that cannot be replicated with modern finishes.

Before plastic garden tools became commonplace, copper and brass watering cans, also known as watering pots, were practical household items found in gardens, greenhouses, and sunrooms. Many were handcrafted, featuring fine details like hammered surfaces, long spouts, and decorative handles. Today, those same details have transformed these once ordinary gardening tools into highly sought-after decorative objects.

With interest in cottage gardening, whimsical outdoor decor, and carefully curated backyards on the rise, antique watering cans are finding a second life as both functional gardening tools and charming display pieces. They can, however, be expensive when bought new — this Gardener's Supply Company Copper Plated Indoor Watering Can costs about $66. Instead of splurging on a watering can, save money and add charm to your home by thrifting one. Size, condition, and decorative details all influence value. Heavily damaged watering cans with missing parts may not be practical, but they sell for around $10, and you could still use them as decor. However, a well-preserved copper pot with an original rose spout can sell for well over $100.

As mentioned, not every copper watering can is valuable. There are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for a watering can. Collectors typically look for well-crafted copper pieces with recognizable makers' marks and original features. If you aren't sure whether something is genuinely vintage or antique, memorize the signs of handcrafted details — features like hammered surfaces, soldered seams, and minor imperfections that add to a copper watering can's appeal.

One highly collectible brand name to look out for is Haws, a British manufacturer of one of the most recognizable watering can designs ever made. Patented in 1886, the Haws watering can was built for serious gardeners, with a tall body, two handles, and an unusually long spout to reach plants sitting on greenhouse and sunroom shelves. Haws cans have a signature brass rose at the end of the spout to create a soft, predictable shower of water, gentle enough for the most delicate plants. In fact, they're still being made by Haws.

Look for details that separate ordinary watering cans from Haws cans, including a raised collar around the opening that prevents spills. Another indication of a real Haws is the logo, featuring a hawthorn leaf and berries. Well-preserved vintage Haws cans with original features can sell for about $75 to well over $150, turning what was once a practical gardening tool into a sought-after and pricey collectible. For some people, the appeal goes beyond the price tag. Since they're waterproof, these thrifted items can double as a unique floral vase or even a hanging planter.