TikTok Uses Recycled Items To Create A Cute And Colorful Succulent Planter

The "reuse" part of the eco-mantra "reduce, reuse, recycle" invites us to get creative with waste. Single-serve coffee pods, plastic shot glasses, and takeout condiment cups may be small when it comes to taking up space in the recycling bin. However, they are still single-use plastics, one of the biggest scourges on the environment. Reuse these teeny containers as the base for a succulent planter. TikTok user @succulentas_da_dessa found further use for a tiny plastic cup along with two other recyclables to make a mini succulent planter complete with drainage and rainbow colors.

To make your own succulent planter, you'll need a small, thin-walled plastic cup, and a pair of scissors or a nail to poke drainage holes in the bottom of it. The plastic cup you use should be as wide or slightly wider than the diameter of an empty toilet paper roll. Also, find an empty glass jar that the plastic container fits easily inside while leaving a bit of space between the two containers. Alternatively, if you have a transparent one, you can give a plastic takeout container new life by subbing it for the glass jar. Lastly, gather some sand in three or four different colors, an empty toilet paper roll, some potting medium, and a succulent plant. Or, find out how you can DIY your own succulent soil with our guide here.

Poke a few small drainage holes in the base of the plastic cup. Fill it with a succulent potting blend, tuck the plant into its new home, and set it aside. Cut the empty toilet paper roll so that its height matches the height of the jar, and slide it into the glass jar or upcycled takeout container. With the help of a funnel, pour layers of colored sand into the space between the toilet paper roll and the wall of the jar. Then, slip the potted succulent inside the top of the toilet roll, and fill in any space at the top with colored sand.

For a sentimental twist on our TikToker's idea, you can bring the beach into your home with this adorable DIY jar upcycle. If you have a collection of sand, shells, and other beach finds, swap out the rainbow sand for souvenirs from seaside trips. Follow the same steps above; as you funnel sand into the container, tuck shells, rocks, and sea glass into it. Make sure those additives are visible by holding them against the side of the glass with a wooden skewer or toothpick as you pour in the sand. Top it with your succulent, and enjoy your beach memories.