Move Over, Store-Bought Planters: This Kitchen Staple Could Help Your Plants' Roots

Looking for ways to bring more greenery into your home — without spending money on pricey store-bought planters? You might find a surprising (and free) alternative hiding in your kitchen cabinets. In a few simple steps, you can turn an old salad spinner into the perfect pot for your plants.

Salad spinners are just one of several common household items you can use as planters. While it might not make the prettiest planter, but there are plenty of reasons to consider using it for this purpose. First, thanks to its design, this product offers excellent drainage — which is great for letting plant roots breathe and limit the risk of drowning them. It also makes it easy to water your plants. After pouring them a drink, let the water trickle through the soil before removing the colander from the outer container and dumping out the excess water.

Another benefit of reusing your old salad spinner? It could save you money. If you have a large plant collection, you might find yourself buying new pots and planters more often than you'd like — and those costs can add up quickly. But with this project, you can repurpose something that you already have. On top of that, you'll prevent the salad spinner from gathering dust in your cabinet or keep it out of the landfill. Plus, you'll free up storage space in your kitchen. Alternatively, if you don't already have a salad spinner, your local thrift store might have one in stock.

To try this DIY project, all you'll need is the potting mix and plants of your choice (and, of course, an old salad spinner). Plants that are sensitive to root rot or waterlogged condition and need ample drainage (which the gaps in a salad spinner provide) will benefit most from this two-part planter. Think succulents like cacti and aloe vera or tropical plants like orchids and monstera. This hack works great, whether it's for new plants you're adding to your collection or existing ones that have outgrown their current pots.

Once you have your soil and plants ready to go, get started by washing the salad spinner to remove any old food or dirt. When it's dry, separate the plastic basket from the outer bowl. Then, add a few handfuls of your preferred soil to the bottom of the basket. The video creator went with fir bark for her orchids, but you might need a different type of potting mix, depending on what you're planting. Finally, place the plants in the soil and put the basket back into the bowl. Water as usual and enjoy your easy-draining planter!