Introduction: How to Turn a Coffee Bag Into a Hanging Planter.
I love to drink coffee that comes in those flexible silver lined bags. I also love to grow things. The coffee bags seem to me to be pretty sturdy and I really hate throwing them away if I can use them for something else. So, after thinking about what I could do with these bags, it came to me to make flower "pots" out of them.
These little bags make a great, quick project for the home gardener. To make this project you'll need:
An empty coffee bag (remove the plastic coated wire glued to the bag for other uses).
A hole punch
Grommets
Wire for hanging the finished project
Step 1: Assemble Your Tools and Accessories.
Tools and accessories. I used what I had on hand, which was the small grommets that are typically used by scrapbookers.
Step 2: Empty Bag(s).
These are the two bags that I will be using for this instructable.
Step 3: Grommets.
This is a close up photo of the grommets before I put them onto the bags.
Step 4: Bags.
Here you can see that I flipped the upper edge of the bag down to make sure this will hold up to the weight of soil and a plant.
Step 5: Put Holes in the Bottom of the Bag for Drainage.
I used my hole punch to put holes through both layers of plastic bag at the bottom for drainage. Holes are punched in the top to accommodate the metal grommets.
Step 6: This Is How It Looks With the Grommet in Place.
Step 7: Finished Project.
I found some old 18 gauge wire that my husband had leftover from a job and used it to make a hanger, filled it with soil and a flower. Then I checked to make sure that it drains properly so that the water doesn't stand inside the bag which can cause root rot.
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19 Comments
13 years ago on Step 1
hmm? a very interesting invention. might be adaptable to coffee cans and coffee jugs too.
13 years ago on Step 7
did you make two, or put one bag inside the other for strength? Not sure why 2 bags were needed....... Thanks for the great instructable!
Reply 13 years ago on Step 7
Hi, I actually made two that day and a couple more later on. Thanks for the compliment. Have a great day! Debbie...(O: ><>
13 years ago on Introduction
Awesome idea! I really wanted to make this for my mom, but alas I don't drink coffee. So I improvised and used a wooden cigar box. Here's my final product!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Oh, this looks totally awesome! I have to confess that our neighborhood is having a "clean up your backyard" campaign and what is ending up out on the curbside may very well end up in my back yard....lol. You're giving me ideas and inspiration. I love the idea of the cigar box, now I'm going to have to head out and find other stuff to convert. Have a great day!
13 years ago on Introduction
do you think this would work with a paper coffee bag that's lined with plastic inside?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Hi Dana, I would try it just to see how it turns out for you. Maybe if the print on the bag is interesting, you could seal it with a spray on polyurethane? Let me know if you try it and how well it turns out. Olyve....(O: <><
13 years ago on Introduction
Sweet! Thanks again!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Kewl! Those look terrific! I'll be making more this weekend (I've been saving bags). Thanks....(O:
14 years ago on Introduction
Neat idea, those coffee bags are pretty sturdy can look quite nice, I'll try it! I love your hammer by the way,
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! My neighbor gave me the hammer since I'm always "in to" something. Is there a place on here where people can post the projects that they've made using an instructable? It would be nice to see what yours will look like when it's finished. I love this website, don't you?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
A friend brought me back some coffee from Cuba, it sure makes a nice planter!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
This looks totally cool. I love looking in the stores now for different looking coffee bags and am getting ready to make more of these. Thanks so much for sharing. Debbie...(O: ><>
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Most people would post their pictures here under the comments. I'll have to wait until gets a bit warmer where I am before I start l panting though. Have you entered this instructable in the contest?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Which contest? Thanks for the idea. The day I made these planters the weather was beautiful, but then the next day it got cold and windy. Now, I'm ready to go out and buy more coffee...(O: Time to make another planter.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
The Epilog Challenge.
14 years ago on Introduction
add a larger grommet to the bottom center and make it work like one of those upside down tomato planters they sell on tv
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Hey Lighthouse, That's a terrific idea. I like it so much I went out and bought a larger bag of coffee to give it a try. Now I need to get the grommets in that size. Olyve...(O: ><>
14 years ago on Introduction
This is neat! I wouldn't have thought of it myself but now I'm going to use that almost empty coffee bag in the pantry and hang it from my mail box.