Coffee cans become an attractive plant holder

Here's a way to repurpose aluminium cans into an attractive plant holder to add a touch of greenery to any room in a home. I had some chain that was too large for the project at hand and I didn't know what to do with it. Then I came up with the idea of using aluminum coffee cans, of which I have plenty, to make a hanging plant holder.

YOU WILL NEED:

Aluminium cans
3 Lengths of chain

Screws and nuts [9]

Drill / Driver and 6mm HSS bit

Dremel MultiTool and cutting disk

Pliers

Key ring

Potting soil, pea gravel and plants

Step 1: Prepare the Cans

1. Drill 3 equidistant holes in each can - at the same height from the top.

2. Secure the end of each [3] chain using a screw and nut. Don't screw too tightly, as you want a little movement for the chain. Repeat this to add the remaining two cans at different heights. DO make sure to keep the chain straight (not twisted) as you attach to the cans.

GOOD TO KNOW: If you need to cut the chain to length use a pair of pliers to hold the chain firmly and cut with a Dremel MultiTool and cutting disk.

Step 2: Paint and Pot Up Containers

3. The bottom of each can was sprayed with Rust-Oleum 2X in satin green apple. I did this after attaching the chains to prevent scratching the paint.

GOOD TO KNOW: A layer of 5cm thick gravel in the base of each can will help keep the plant roots dry, as there aren't any drainage holes in the base. This shouldn't be a problem as long as you only give a light watering as and when required.

4. The plants needed root growth to be trimmed here and there, but otherwise they squeezed nicely into the containers.

5. To hang the containers, I screwed a threaded hook into a fischer [nylon] wall plug through the ceiling board. I was worried it might not be strong enough, but the fischer wall plug seems to be holding everything firmly.

Now you have no excuse for not adding a dash of greenery to a room. The hanger fills up a small corner and you can buy plants according to the light level in the room where they will be placed.

Visit me on www.Home-Dzine.co.za for more crafty DIY ideas.