Introduction: Potted Plant Secret Compartment
I've got a weird obsession with secret compartments. I love trying to think of new ways to hide things in plain site and re-purposing random objects. This instructable was born from a trip to IKEA to pick up a desk lamp. One of the clocks they had for sale opened up to reveal shelving behind it. Of course, this got me thinking about secret compartments. I got distracted by their large selection of fake plants, and decided to buy one and see what I could do with it (I forgot the lamp, though).
Thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Protected Contest!
Step 1: What You Need:
- Small fake plant
- Plant pot
- Empty plastic container (the kind yogurt comes in; you want a container that can only be pushed about 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the pot before stopping.)
- Craft knife
- Hot glue gun
- Dirt
Step 2: Taking Apart the Plant
- Disassemble the fake plant. Most IKEA plants have a rubber disk of fairly unconvincing fake dirt that you will need to pry out of the way to get at the connections.
- My plant was connected to the bottom of the pot by some metal wires, so I had to use wire cutters to remove it.
- Trim the wires protruding from the bottom of the plant to about and inch long.
Step 3: Cutting the Container
- Make sure the plastic container can only be pushed about 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the pot. You might have to try multiple containers to get one that fits.
- Cut the bottom 1/2 inch of the container off and save it.
- Make sure the bottom of the container still rests in the pot about 1 to 1 1/2 inches below the top.
Step 4: Assembling the Plant
- Cut a cross in the center of the container bottom. Do it gently, because I cracked the plastic by forcing the blade in.
- Push the wires protruding from the bottom of the fake plant through the cross (or in my case, asterisk).
- Hot glue the plant in place; use a lot of glue, enough to completely cover the bottom of the plant and the cuts.
Step 5: Finishing Up
- Put the "plant" in the pot to make sure it sits well.
- Remove the plant and fill the plastic container with dirt.
- Put whatever you want to hide in the bottom of the plant pot.
- Place the plant in the pot over top of it.
Spread the dirt around to obscure the plastic completely.

Second Prize in the
Protected Contest

Participated in the
On a Budget Contest

Participated in the
Small Spaces Contest
19 Comments
4 years ago
Simple, but smart!
4 years ago
cool and smart
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks!
5 years ago
I wonder if it would work to mix potting soil with school glue to keep from spilling soil inside the pot.
Reply 5 years ago on Introduction
That's a great idea!
6 years ago on Introduction
That was awesome. You have to do more stuff like that. I really enjoyed reading and doing it. Thanks!!
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thank you so much! I hope to be publishing some similar stuff soon.
6 years ago on Introduction
So does this mean that your back?
Reply 6 years ago
Do you mean back publishing instructables? If so, yep!
6 years ago on Introduction
Great idea! And if it's a real Rolex submariner with date, it sells for about £3500, over $5000, so it's worth hiding! Don't let anyone know where you live......
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! I wish it was real now, I didn't know it would be worth that much! Ah well, at least it tells the time.
6 years ago on Introduction
Cool! That's so simple yet clever. Thanks for sharing!
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
6 years ago on Introduction
thanks! good and easy idea! I will try to do it
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
I'd love to see a picture!
6 years ago on Introduction
Clever idea, no one think to look there.
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
6 years ago
Awesome idea! Definitely something I'm gonna make. Thanx for the brain wave!
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! I'd love to see a picture when it's done!