Why Crocs Are Just As Perfect For The Garden As They Are On Your Feet

Many agree that Crocs are both the ugliest but also cutest shoes to ever become popular. Colorful, cushy, and riddled with perforations, this shoewear option is beloved by many. However, just like every type of footwear, Crocs inevitably wear out. Why not capitalize on the qualities that make them so nice to wear with a clever upcycle? If you have no need for a Crocs-based unique DIY snow shovel-alternative in your neck of the woods or want to reuse them in warm weather, your old pair can still serve a use outdoors. The shape, material, holes, and convenient heel strap can all come together to make an adorable planter. Stuffed with soil and seedlings and hung from a garden gate, you'll give your clogs a new life that's both cute and practical.

We've long been turning common household items into beautiful planters, but a well-loved pair of Crocs takes the cake. The foamy material that makes up these quirky clogs is waterproof, but a topside full of holes keeps them breathable and cool. Plus, even if you've never owned a pair, you can often find used Crocs or knock-offs at thrift stores. Either hanging or resting on their soles, a squishy clog brimming over with plants is sure to spark conversation.

Crocs have lots of qualities that make them easy to hang, so choose whatever method works best for you. Loop a cord through the handy heel strap or hang it from a hook. Another option is to take advantage of the soft sole and send a nail or screw through the heel to attach it to a fencepost or other vertical surface.

Or, keep with the footwear theme by repurposing shoelaces in the garden. String a retired shoelace through the heel strap and hang the shoe from a hook along a wall or just suspended as a free-hanging planter. For a free-hanging design, a pair of Crocs glued together along the soles will morph into a planter that looks great from all sides. Loctite's vinyl, fabric, and plastic glue (available on Amazon for $4) is waterproof, long-lasting, and dries clear, making it a "shoe-in" for this project.

Before hanging your Croc-planter, you may want to fill the toe with something to keep the soil from running through the holes. A small piece of burlap or landscaping fabric or a handful of coconut coir should do the trick. However, steer clear from peat moss, since it's not a sustainable choice. You can even add some of these unexpected items to the bottom of your planter for cheap, if not free, soil insurance.

If you don't want to hang your Crocs vertically, you could also place them flat on a surface or hang them horizontally and grow plants out of the holes — or just grow plants out of the one large opening. This would be the best option for kids Crocs, especially those that don't have holes. Overflowing with greenery and blooms, the cuteness quotient will skyrocket.

For the best results, take advantage of the benefits of starting seeds instead of buying plants. Not only are seeds cheaper than established plants, germinating seeds inside the shoe itself allows foliage to grow through the holes. For this application, there's no need to add burlap or coconut coir to the shoe, since it will be sitting flat on its sole. However, whether you're hanging your Crocs or placing them flat, the best plant options for this unique idea are those that don't take up much room, like succulents or other mini houseplants. 

Furthermore, one thing that makes Crocs so delightful on our feet is their light weight. However, that can make them fall victim to gusts of wind. If your outdoor Croc planting plans don't involve hanging them, be sure to find a location that's sheltered from the wind. Lining the sole with a few flat rocks before filling it with soil could also prevent it from being tossed in the breeze.