Introduction: How to Make a Coffee Can Planter!

About: I'm Samuel Sparks, SSFresh. I'm a student at New Tech and I love to learn. But not as much as I love Will Smith.

In this guide, I will talk about how to make a simple, visually pleasing, up-cycled planter out of a coffee can!

Step 1: Step 1: Materials!

First thing's first, you'll need some supplies:

  • an opened coffee can
  • one nail
  • potting soil
  • gravel
  • rope or metal wire
  • something to plant
  • some work gloves if you don't want your hands to get dirty

Step 2: Step 2: Poking Holes

Take your nail and poke three holes in the bottom of the can. This is so water can drain out and your plant won't drown. Next, go to the opening of the can and move down 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3 cm). Poke two holes into the can, directly across from one another. This is for the string so you can have a handle and hang your plant.

Step 3: Step 3: Add Gravel

Next is to fill the bottom of the can with gravel. You want your gravel to be large enough to not fall through the holes and plentiful enough so that stops soil from falling through the holes while still effectively draining the can. I added about a one inch (2.5 cm) layer of gravel at the bottom of my can. One last thing you can do for good measure is to shake the gravel around. This will force any small pieces to come out immediately so your planter isn't dropping gravel if you happened to accidentally add pieces smaller than the holes poked.

Step 4: Step 4: Adding Soil

The next step is to add your potting soil. Fill it up half way and stop.

Step 5: Step 5: Handle

In my materials I stated that you can use either metal wire or string, in this case I used string. First, cut a piece of string at your desired length. Next, thread the string into one of the holes and tie a knot so it won't come out through the hole when pulled. Don't be afraid to double or even triple knot the string if you are worried it might slip out. Do this to the other side and your handle should be done! Fill the cup up with dirt, almost to the brim.

Step 6: Step 6: Finish!

Once you fill it up with dirt, add your plant and you're done and ready! Plant your seed and watch that baby grow. I find that succulents work really well in smaller pots so I put one in this can. Feel free to decorate your can however you see fit, it's yours after all. Thanks for viewing my instructable and happy gardening!