Easily Turn A Dollar Tree Popcorn Bucket Into The Cutest DIY Garden Decor

If you're looking for an inexpensive, unique flower pot for your patio, porch, or windowsill, your local Dollar Tree may have just the thing. Check out their plastic reusable popcorn buckets (two for $1.25) and let your imagination run wild. All you need to turn these plastic containers into planters is a drill or awl, good potting mix, and plants.

Drainage is important, so the first step is to give the popcorn container a few drainage holes. Turn it over and drill or poke four to five holes into the bottom of it to prevent root rot and keep your soil from getting waterlogged. Then, it's time to fill your container with good, well-draining potting mix appropriate for the type of plants you're growing and your choice of plants or seeds. You could make several of these planters for a fraction of the price of buying flower pots at the nursery. And, you can customize them to make the fit your aesthetic.

With a rough dimension of 3.75 inches wide and just under 8 inches deep, one of these popcorn containers is the equivalent of a 4-inch flower pot, just slightly deeper. You'll need to be mindful about what you plant in it, since larger plants will quickly become rootbound and won't thrive. Trees, shrubs, and most perennials are definitely a no-go here. Luckily, you still have plenty of options.

Flowering annuals that will last all summer, such as French marigolds, alyssum, bacopa, and geraniums would all work well. Pansies would work perfectly for a spring container. You'd likely only plant one plant (or sow seed for a single plant) in each container so they don't get too crowded. Foliage plants such as dusty miller and coleus would also work well. But it doesn't just have to be an ornamental planting. Herbs such as basil, thyme, chives, rosemary, mint, and oregano would work well, especially if you harvest often to keep the plants from getting too large. Just be sure to use the best kind of soil for growing herbs to help them thrive.

And, if you do want to plant something larger, Dollar Tree also offers a larger version of these popcorn containers. You can get one 8.75 inch wide square bucket for $1.25, perfect for growing everything mentioned above as well as plants like leaf lettuce, peppers, larger annuals, or even bulbs for a spring garden.

If you love the fun, vibrant red and white design of these Dollar Tree popcorn buckets, then by all means plant and enjoy! But, if you'd prefer something that matches the aesthetic of your yard, porch, or patio, you can change up the look fairly easily. Paint is always a great option. Start with a primer that works well on plastic, such as Rustoleum Specialty Plastic Primer, available for $13.38 on Amazon. After the primer dries, give the container a couple of coats of your choice of color. You can also hand-paint designs on these pots. Use a primer to give yourself a clean background, and then use acrylic paints to customize them. To keep your design from wearing off in the elements, seal it with at least two coats of an outdoor-rated sealer.

The most important thing when it comes to arranging your popcorn bucket planters is to make sure the plants you've chosen are getting the amount of sunlight they need. Beyond that, have fun and get creative! One of the benefits of container gardening is that it's easy to get a pop of color wherever you need it. A row of these containers down the center of a patio table would look great all season long. Place them at the edges of porch steps, set them on railings or windowsills, or cluster them on a plant stand to brighten up a dull area.