You can turn ceramic tiles into a beautiful planter quickly with no skills.

It is a great project for anyone- kids included.

What looks like a difficult assembly becomes easy when you use this "tilt-up" method.

You are going to join 4 tiles flat, and lift them into a box shape. Then join them and the bottom together.

The planter can be as waterproof as an aquarium, or allow water to drip out the bottom- your choice.

Any size tiles can be used, from 4 inches square to 3 feet .

Step 1: Stuff Required

All you need is:

five identical tiles

silicone caulk (and caulk gun). I like translucent so my goofs don't show.

a thin latex glove

a few feet of 2" wide open weave fabric reinforcing

(fiberglass drywall tape)

A few minutes to spread the caulk, plus silicone setup time

Step 2: Smearing the Silicone

Unlike most caulk jobs, this one is easy.

No one will ever see the mess. It is hidden inside the planter.

1. Put four of the tiles ugly side up in a row next to each other- no gaps

2. Cut the 2" fiberglass mesh slightly shorter than the tile.

3. Apply silicone 1/8" thick on a 2" wide band over each joint with a stiff card.

4. Push the mesh down into the silicone, and apply more over the top, smear again.

5. The silicone should not be forced between the tiles, so keep them tight.

6. Silicone a mesh strip covering 1" on an end tile. The loose 1"flap will get glued in the next step

7. Let the silicone set up. This will take several hours. You can cover with something wet to hurry the cure.

Step 3: Stand Tiles, Silicone Base Tile and Last Corner

The tiles are now joined flexibly. Stand them up.

I used a roll of tape as a spacer to hold the bottom tile an inch up. Anything flat will work here.

Now stick the loose flap to the other tile, and silicone the inside bottom joints. Use a bungie, string, or tape to hold the tiles together around the base tile.

On a big planter you should add more silicone to the inside bottom joint later to support it.

Step 4: "tool" the Caulk With a Wet Finger

You can make the planter as waterproof as a drip saucer if you are putting a pot inside. I use a wet gloved finger to make sure the tiles are sealed.

If you are filling with dirt, the plants would prefer that the water can leak out, either through a hole drilled in the bottom tile, or just an imperfectly sealed bottom tile.

Step 5: Optional Uses

If you just want to cover an ugly clay pot, or the one the plant came in, hide it inside your new planter. It will catch the water overflow like any saucer.

Need an end table? Just add a bigger tile, or other top to your tile base.

Step 6: Add 3d Printed Feet

If I had a 3d printer I would add four of these abs feet (designed in TinkerCad ) to the bottom corners . This would make it easy to move, and strengthen the planter. If I only had a 3d printer...