Use An Old Plastic Bottle To DIY The Cutest Floral Cut Out Planter
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
At this point, you've likely read about the ways you can repurpose plastic bottles. They can be upcycled into everything from budget-friendly DIY bird feeders to home storage bins. Surprisingly, you can also repurpose them into delicate planters with lace-like patterns, one closely similar to doilies. TikTok user Yobz T. took a new approach to creating planters that'll stand out on your porch. He used a soldering iron to burn intricate floral patterns straight into the surface of a 2-liter plastic bottle.
These plastic bottles are typically made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is a lightweight material. Its melting point is low enough that a heated soldering iron's tip can pierce and reshape the surface. The planter is perfect for housing small plant pots and is about as wallet-friendly as it gets. For example, the $10 JERIA 16-Pack Plastic Flower Plant Pot set would work well for this hack.
But before you pick up the soldering iron, sketch your design on the bottle with a dry-erase marker first, since it wipes away cleanly if you need to make adjustments. You'll need a steady hand to create the design, but the patience is worth it for this stunning DIY planter idea. If you don't have a soldering kit at home, you can purchase one at your local hardware store, such as Home Depot, for $14. Amazon also has them for as low as $10, such as this Liouhoum 80W Soldering Iron Kit.
Creating the plastic bottle planter
Kick this project off by cleaning your plastic bottle so that it's free of any remnants of its contents or food residue if it was in the trash. Once the bottle is clean and dry, remove the label and any adhesive residue. If you have trouble removing this, apply a little olive oil and rub it with a dry cloth. Afterward, clean the area with soapy water. Now you can use your dry-erase marker to create the designs. If you need extra guidance, use stencils for this step.
@yobztemporosa Hanging planter #artandcraft #diycraft #upcycling #recycling #plasticbottle
Next, use your craft knife to carve out a section on the lower front of the bottle, sized to accommodate your small planter and plant. Now, set up your soldering iron. If it has adjustable temperature settings, aim for around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, since PET starts to melt around 480 to 500 degrees. Wear protective gloves, glasses, and flame-resistant clothing, as the soldering iron will release harmful fumes as it melts through the plastic — and do this in a well-ventilated area.
Carefully trace directly over the marker lines with the tip. Apply light, steady pressure to melt the plastic with one clean pass. It's best to perform this step in small sections. Take frequent pauses to inspect each area as you work your way around the bottle. Once you've traced the outer lines of your floral pattern, go back and burn out the small cutout sections to create that lace-like look.
Applying different looks to the planter design
After your new planter is complete, carefully place your plant pot inside. To hang the planter, use your soldering iron or craft knife to make a hole in the bottle cap, thread a piece of rope or twine through it, and tie a knot on the underside so it can't slip back out. From there, loop the other end over a hook at home or in the garden. Have more than one plastic bottle lying around? Add multiple planters to create a personalized look to your garden area. To give the bottles different looks, swap the floral designs for geometric shapes, damask, or your favorite animal — think butterflies and hummingbirds.
Also, instead of leaving the bottle as is, add a coat of paint that matches your yard's overall look. For example, you can give it a rustic, homespun look with matte terracotta spray paint, such as the
Krylon Fusion All-In-One Terracotta Spray Paint. The lattice-style patterns will allow enough light to shine through to your plant even if you choose a darker spray. Just hang the planter in an area with sufficient sunlight.
This design is also great for plants like pothos and string of pearls, longer hanging plants that always look beautiful hung high up indoors or outside. Another great way to customize this design is to use metallic paint, such as gold or silver, to give the planter a jewelry-like shine. For example, Rust-Oleum's Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Spray Paint is available on Amazon in a variety of metallic tones.