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bell' alimento

beautiful food doesn't have to be complicated

DIY Recycled Can Succulent Centerpiece

By Paula |

This DIY Recycled Can Succulent Centerpiece is sponsored by Miracle-Gro. For this project and was provided with samples and compensation-but all opinions are my own.

3 tin cans with succulents planted in them sitting on top of a piece of wood.

This season, Miracle-Gro wants to inspire everyone to get out and Gro something. There’s a way to incorporate “Gro-ing” into a myriad of different DIY projects-and you don’t have to be an avid gardener or live out in the country to accomplish it! 

All you need is a little creativity and inspiration-and you can create a beautiful, living piece of art for just about any occasion/recipe/area of your home. What did I make? A super simple succulent centerpiece that’s perfect for spring and summer.

DIY Recycled Can Centerpiece Collage of 3 photos. Collage of 3 photos. Various cans of tomatoes. Can of tomatoes on it's side with a drill to left and rocks in front. Can of tomatoes that is now filled with potting soil.

How do You Make a DIY Recycled Can Centerpiece ?

Besides being beautiful, it’s budget friendly! It uses recycled cans from your kitchen. The only thing you’ll need to pick up is a bag of Miracle-Gro soil and succulents. Once you have those you can get started.

  • STEP 1: Clean cans and make sure they’re completely  dry. When choosing cans, pick a variety of shapes and sizes of cans for contrast.
  • STEP 2: Drill 2-3 holes into the bottom of each can for drainage.
  • STEP 3: Place a few rocks/pebbles from your yard over the holes at the bottom of each can.

DIY Recycled Can Centerpiece Collage. Miraclo Gro Potting Soil bag. Looking into bag of potting soil. Tin Can filled with potting soil.

  • STEP 4: Fill each can with Miracle-Gro soil. I used Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix. I like that it protects against over and under watering and it absorbs 33% more water!

DIY Recycled Can Centerpiece Collage. Tin Can with succulent planted. 4 various succulent plants. 3 tin cans with planted succulents sitting on a piece of wood.

  • STEP 5: Place succulents into each can. Fill with additional Miracle-Gro soil if needed. Place a small plate or plastic tray under each can to protect table.

Close up photo of DIY Recycled Can Succulent Centerpiece, tin can with planted succulent sitting on wood.

How/Where To Use Centerpieces? 

Because you know I like options, I think these would be fantastic made with herbs as well.

I love the idea of having these on an outdoor table during a party, picnic, or family gathering. They’re also the perfect height so no one will be bobbing around tall centerpieces to see and talk with each other (huge pet peeve of mine – be mindful of centerpiece heights people) Another great idea, use a smaller can (like the one pictured above) and plant individual succulents per can. When your guests are leaving give them one as a “happy”. What’s that? I call small gifts that make people happy “happies”. Who wouldn’t want one of those?

 

Comments

  1. amy rouse says

    I saw a pic on pinterest of succulents planted in the backs of toy dinosaurs very cool

  4. Mami2jcn says

    I saw a project that involved taking old soup cans and planting herbs in them.

  7. Mami2jcn says

    I follow you on Pinterest and pinned–http://pinterest.com/pin/400046379370384463/

  9. Mami2jcn says

    Repinned one of Miracle Gro’s pins–http://pinterest.com/pin/400046379370384468/

  27. Shaina says

    We’re planting succulents in vintage mason jars and other glass jars for my sister’s wedding this summer!

  28. Dana says

    these succulents look just like the ones i just carried in my bridesmaid bouquet! would LOVE to grow something like that!

  30. Kelly D says

    The gro project I would like to try is to grow tomatoes indoors using halved juice or soda bottles, hanging upside down. I have seen this done before and have wanted to try it for a while.

  40. Kelly D says

    I Signed up for bell’alimento’s newsletter under kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

  44. Brooke says

    I think a few different sized cans… (a regular sized can, a #10 can, and one of those giant popcorn buckets you get at Christmas time that is divided into thirds would be perfect for the biggest one) placed inside one another, each one up higher than the last (like a wedding cake) would be perfect to grow herbs in. Each layer can house a different herb and the whole thing can be positioned close enough to your kitchen to make it accessible when time to cook!

  46. Elisa B says

    I saw the most darling succulent mini gardens that people made by planting them in abalone shells.

  49. Margot C says

    Expanding on the idea that one pinner had of putting succulents in toy dinosaurs We have put nasturtiums in an old toy truck.

  54. Margot C says

    I get bell’alimento’s NEWSLETTER to this box: margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

  58. Amy Tong says

    I love your recycled can idea. I’ve been using plastic yogurt tubs for my plants when I start planting tomato seeds. Need to transfer them to larger pots when they are bigger though. I would decorate my yogurt containers and plant something nice, like succulent or herbs that they can later use in cooking as party favors. My guests always appreciate a thoughtful gift.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  66. Lisa Brown says

    Gro-Project Idea: I would get a blue Mason jar, take the Echeveria ‘Zorro’ succulent, plant it in the jar, and all blue iridescent stones on top.
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

  70. Kristen M says

    I love the idea of growing succulents (or starting veggie seedlings) in recycled egg shells. I’m a classic over-waterer so the Moisture Control Mix sounds right up my alley.

  72. Bev @ Bev Cooks says

    I do stuff like this all the time!

    Take an old rain gutter, attach to a wall on your patio, fill it with soil, and plant some succulents. BAM!

  73. Aggie says

    These turned out so nice Paula! I could see myself doing something similar to this with the cans, love them.
    I’ve been wanting a salad pot, but not just a round pot, but more like a wooden box. I’m sure I can figure out a way to pull it together 🙂

  74. C.j. says

    I’d use a 3 liter bottle and make and grow a mini-green house like we did in elementary school

  79. Jessie C. says

    I love your idea recycling cans. My project would be a container garden, I would like to start plant spices/herbs in small containers (using recycled bottled water).

  96. Susan in the Boonies says

    I love your idea. I would use the cans I buy steel cut oats in to plant my herbs, and use them as centerpieces on an outdoor table on my patio during grill season.
    Today, I bought two herbs/flowers that I’ve never bought before to try out on my patio: lavender, and bee balm. I can’t wait to try using them this summer in teas, and fruit salads, and to scent sugar to be used to coat sugar cookies. I think it’s going to be such fun to try growing and cooking with new herbs I’ve never tried before.

  98. Cindi says

    My children and I enjoy growing seedlings in eggshells…
    Thanks, Cindi

  107. Cindi says

    I “Like” bellalimento on Facebook, too!
    Much thanks, Cindi
    Cindi Hoppes

  115. Alessandra says

    We are actually collecting information on growing our own vegetables. Miracle-Gro Organic Choice All Purpose Plant Food might come in handy!

  118. Sara D says

    Stacked terracotta pots in different sizes, filled with Miracle grow would be really cute with herbs in between and in the top of the smallest pot.

    I love this can idea! I actually just saved a giant tomato can from Sams that I think would work great with this! Also, starting a tomato plant in the tomato can would be super cute!

  121. Jennie says

    I follow several of your boards on pinterest and pinned the first image.

  122. Jennie says

    We are growing a kitchen garden this summer. Our lettuce is loving the cool night temps!

  135. Babs says

    Container gardens are the way to go when you don’t have much space. Recycling your cans is really a nice idea. I think you could make some really interesting arrangements.

  140. Donna L says

    I would like to start a herb garden. I had one a few years ago and it was great to have fresh herbs ready to use.

  163. Denise says

    My gro idea – would to plant an urban edible garden. We only have a small deck and it would be great to plant some things we can use in the kitchen beyond herbs. Miss having a little piece of dirt to plant in!

  169. Denise says

    chezus 6:57am via HootSuite
    Really cute centerpiece idea ht.ly/l3kOF and a give away you can GRO with! via @bellalimento #GroSomething

  170. Laura says

    i LOVE this idea! and I was just looking for an inexpensive vessel in which to plant herbs, which would hopefully allow me to gro my own (instead of constantly buying expensive herbs at the grocery store). Thanks so much!

  172. Marly says

    I don’t know if this fits the rules of your gro-project, but I love keeping a planter with herbs right by my kitchen sink where it’s easy to keep them watered and easy to tear a leaf off from time to time for cooking. I love the idea of using an old can as a planter!

  200. Tabathia B says

    I can start an herb garden from my daughters old balls littering the house and put them along the bottom of our fence

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  202. Tabathia B says

    like miracle gro on facebook: michelle b

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  205. John Ek says

    What a fabulous post. My girls and I will do this for a center piece of our table in our new home! Moving in this weekend!

  206. rachel says

    A window box! Or even a window box on my front porch (technically just a planter then…)

  207. Wild Orchid says

    I would love to do a small indoor herb garden on my kitchen windowsill.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  208. Wild Orchid says

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  211. Wild Orchid says

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  212. Wild Orchid says

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  213. Shannon says

    LOVE the wine crate turned planter idea! I’ve seen it several times and it’s certainly on my to-do list.

  214. Wild Orchid says

    I like them on FB — Wild Orchid
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  215. Wild Orchid says

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  219. Laura Jacobson says

    Oh when I was cleaning out the shed by our pool the other day, I found a bunch of old sand pails….all different colors. Was trying to think of something to do with them…but now….I have an idea after reading your post! I would love to plant flowers or plants in them and put them out by the pool in the rock gardens! that would be so neat with all the different colors!

  232. Ashley C says

    We just recently planted a community garden and it’s so much fun to go over with the kids to water it and check how the veggies and herbs are growing!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  233. Kim C. says

    Living in a small apartment there isn’t much room for plants, but I’ve always wanted to use a small pair of crocs as planters. They come in different colors and I think they would fit nicely on the ledge just outside my window.

  241. Kristen says

    I really want to make everyone a home grown little plant to take home from my wedding!

  258. Amanda Sakovitz says

    I would love to use a glass vase I made as a planter and grow some herbs!

  267. Katie Contests says

    Great idea! I’m not too creative, but I’d try my hand at growing herbs with Miracle-Gro 🙂

  274. Thomas Murphy says

    I would really like to gro a box of herbs such as parsley in a small box in one of my kitchen windows