8 Everyday Items Arizona Gardeners Can Use As Unique Planters And Save Money On Pots
Most gardeners reach a point where the garage shelf starts filling up with empty pots, cracked containers, and a few things we swore we might use someday.
If you have been gardening in Arizona for a while, you also know how quickly the sun can wear out store-bought planters.
That is why many longtime desert gardeners get creative with what they already have around the house. Everyday items can become surprisingly good homes for herbs, succulents, or small flowers.
With the right drainage and placement, these simple containers handle Arizona heat just as well as traditional pots.
Some of the most interesting planters do not come from a garden center at all. A few of them might already be sitting in your garage, kitchen cabinet, or backyard shed right now.
1. Colander
Rummaging through your kitchen cabinets might just lead you to one of the most surprisingly effective planters you have ever used. An old colander, the kind you use to drain pasta or rinse vegetables, already comes with built-in drainage holes all around it.
For Arizona gardeners, proper drainage is not just a nice bonus, it is absolutely necessary because overwatering is one of the fastest ways to harm plants in the desert climate.
To get started, line the inside of the colander with a layer of burlap or a coffee filter. This simple step keeps the soil from falling through the holes while still letting excess water escape freely.
Fill it up with a good potting mix and plant herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro, all of which do well in Arizona gardens when given a little afternoon shade during the hottest months.
Colanders come in all sorts of sizes and colors, so you can mix and match them for a fun, eclectic look on your patio or porch. Hanging a colander planter from a sturdy hook adds vertical interest to your garden space without taking up precious ground room.
Metal colanders can heat up quickly under the Arizona sun, so wrapping the outside with jute rope or placing them in partial shade helps protect the roots. Thrift stores across Arizona often carry colanders for just a dollar or two, making this one of the most budget-friendly planter ideas around.
2. Wooden Crate
Walk into almost any grocery store or farmers market in Arizona and you will spot wooden crates stacked up near the produce section. Many stores give these away for free or sell them for next to nothing, making them an incredibly affordable option for gardeners who want to stretch their budget.
Wooden crates have an earthy, rustic charm that fits right in with the natural desert landscape that surrounds so many Arizona homes.
Before planting, line the inside of the crate with landscape fabric or burlap to hold the soil in place. Drill or poke a few extra holes in the bottom if drainage seems limited.
Wooden crates work especially well for growing strawberries, lettuce, or shallow-rooted herbs because the wide, open shape gives roots plenty of room to spread out without going too deep.
One smart trick Arizona gardeners use is to seal the wood with a non-toxic outdoor wood sealant before planting. This helps the crate resist moisture and the intense UV rays that beat down across the state for most of the year.
Without sealing, untreated wood may eventually weather and break down outdoors, especially when exposed to irrigation water and sun over time. You can also stack two or three crates at different heights to create a tiered garden display that looks professionally designed.
Paint them in bright southwestern colors like turquoise, orange, or red to add a splash of personality to your outdoor space. Wooden crates are a fantastic way to garden on a budget without sacrificing style.
3. Metal Bucket
Few things say “rustic charm” quite like a row of old metal buckets lined up along a garden path, each one overflowing with bright blooms or hardy succulents. Metal buckets are incredibly easy to find at hardware stores, thrift shops, and garage sales across Arizona, often for just a couple of dollars.
Their sturdy build means they can handle the rough outdoor conditions that come with desert living, including strong winds, intense heat, and the occasional monsoon downpour.
Turning a metal bucket into a planter takes almost no effort. Simply use a hammer and nail or a power drill to punch a few drainage holes into the bottom, add your potting mix, and plant away.
Succulents, agave starts, and drought-tolerant flowers like zinnias or marigolds thrive beautifully in metal bucket planters when placed in spots that get morning sun and afternoon shade during Arizona summers.
One thing worth keeping in mind is that metal conducts heat, which means the soil inside can get quite warm during peak Arizona summer temperatures. Painting the outside of the bucket with a light or reflective color helps bounce some of that heat away and keeps the roots cooler.
You can also nestle the metal bucket inside a larger pot or wrap it with fabric for added insulation. Mixing different bucket sizes creates a layered, interesting garden display.
Whether you line them up on your front porch or scatter them around your backyard, metal buckets bring a casual, welcoming energy to any Arizona outdoor space.
4. Old Watering Can
There is something wonderfully poetic about a watering can that has spent years helping plants grow finally becoming a home for them. When your old watering can starts to rust, leak, or simply no longer holds water properly, do not toss it out.
Instead, give it a second life as a charming planter that adds a whimsical, vintage feel to your Arizona garden or patio.
The spout of the watering can adds a unique design element that no traditional pot can match. You can let trailing plants like sweet potato vine or creeping jenny spill out through the spout for a playful, unexpected look.
Fill the main body with soil and plant compact flowers like pansies, petunias, or even small succulents that do not need a ton of root space to stay happy and healthy.
Since most watering cans already have some openings at the bottom from rust or wear, drainage tends to take care of itself. If yours is still fairly solid, use a nail or drill to add a few small holes before filling it with potting mix.
Painting the outside with rust-resistant spray paint in a bold color can make the planter pop against the neutral tones of a desert landscape. Arizona gardeners love placing these near front doors or along garden walkways where guests can admire the creative touch.
Hunting for old watering cans at Arizona flea markets or estate sales is half the fun, and you can often find them for under five dollars.
5. Galvanized Wash Tub
Big, bold, and full of farmhouse character, a galvanized wash tub might be the most impressive budget planter an Arizona gardener can get their hands on. These large metal tubs were originally used for laundry and bathing back in the day, and their generous size makes them ideal for growing a wide variety of plants, from herbs and vegetables to flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses.
Setting one up is straightforward. Drill several drainage holes across the bottom using a metal drill bit, then fill the container directly with quality potting mix designed for containers.
The extra drainage layer is especially helpful in Arizona, where heavy monsoon rains can dump a lot of water in a short period of time. Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs like rosemary and thyme all do wonderfully in galvanized tubs because they have enough room to develop strong root systems.
Galvanized metal is known for being tough and weather-resistant, which is a huge advantage in a state that experiences everything from blazing heat to freezing winter nights in higher elevation areas like Flagstaff or Prescott. Over time, the metal develops a beautiful natural patina that adds even more character to your garden.
You can find galvanized wash tubs at farm supply stores, antique shops, and online marketplaces throughout Arizona, usually at a fraction of what a large decorative pot would cost. Pair a tub planter with a hand-painted label or a chalkboard tag to give it a polished, intentional look that impresses neighbors and guests alike.
6. Mason Jar
Mason jars have been a kitchen staple for generations, but their usefulness does not stop at canning jams and pickling vegetables. Across Arizona, creative gardeners have discovered that mason jars make absolutely adorable mini planters, especially for succulents, air plants, and compact herbs that do not need a lot of soil to thrive.
Their clear glass walls are a genuinely useful feature because you can actually see when the roots are getting too crowded or when the soil is drying out.
If a jar has no drainage hole, use it carefully with plants that tolerate drier soil, or consider drilling a drainage hole in the glass before planting. This layer prevents water from sitting stagnant at the roots, which can cause rot even in the dry Arizona climate.
Succulents like echeveria, haworthia, and aloe vera are ideal choices for mason jar planters because they prefer drier conditions and do not mind snug quarters.
Mason jars look stunning when grouped together on a porch railing, windowsill, or outdoor shelf. Mixing different jar sizes and wrapping some with twine, burlap, or painted designs adds texture and variety to your display.
During Arizona summers, keep mason jar planters out of direct afternoon sun since the glass can magnify heat and stress the plants inside. Spray painting the outside of a jar in a matte finish is another easy trick that protects roots from excess heat and light.
Best of all, a box of mason jars costs just a few dollars at any grocery or hardware store statewide.
7. Teapot Or Tea Kettle
Cracked teapot sitting in the back of your cabinet? Before you think about throwing it away, consider the fact that it could become the most talked-about planter in your entire Arizona garden.
Teapots and tea kettles have a natural spout that acts as a built-in drainage point, and their compact size makes them perfect for small plants that bring big personality to tight spaces like balconies, windowsills, and tabletop arrangements.
Unglazed ceramic can allow some moisture to move through the material, but most glazed teapots behave like typical containers and rely on drainage holes to prevent excess moisture. Metal tea kettles, on the other hand, heat up faster in the Arizona sun, so they are best suited for a spot with morning light and some afternoon shade.
Either way, simply fill the inside with a well-draining cactus or succulent mix, plant your chosen greenery, and let the spout handle any overflow drainage during watering.
Mixing a collection of mismatched teapots in different colors, patterns, and sizes creates a whimsical garden vignette that feels like something straight out of a storybook. Arizona thrift stores and estate sales are treasure troves for finding vintage teapots at bargain prices, sometimes as low as fifty cents each.
You can also paint plain ceramic teapots with outdoor-safe paint to match your garden’s color scheme or reflect the warm, earthy tones of the Sonoran Desert. Grouping a few teapot planters together on an outdoor shelf or hanging them from a sturdy bracket adds a layer of creativity that makes your Arizona garden genuinely unforgettable.
8. Worn Work Boots
Rugged, nostalgic, and packed with personality, a pair of old work boots turned into a planter is the kind of garden accent that makes everyone stop and smile. When your boots have seen too many miles on the job site or hiking trail to be worn comfortably anymore, they deserve a retirement that keeps them useful and visible.
Arizona gardeners have embraced this idea wholeheartedly, and it is easy to see why once you spot a pair of boots overflowing with bright blooms on a front porch.
Leather and rubber boots both work well as planters. Use a screwdriver or awl to punch a few drainage holes through the sole of each boot, then fill them loosely with potting mix.
Succulents are the ultimate choice for boot planters in Arizona because they handle the heat, require minimal water, and look absolutely stunning spilling over the top of a worn leather toe. Small flowering plants like portulaca or alyssum also do well and add a pop of color.
Placing the boots near your front door, along a garden path, or on porch steps gives your home an instant dose of down-to-earth Arizona charm. You can also line up several pairs of boots in a row for a quirky display that doubles as a conversation starter for every visitor.
Sealing the inside of leather boots with a waterproof liner helps extend their life as planters by protecting the material from moisture. Whether cowboy boots, hiking boots, or old sneakers, every worn pair has a second chapter waiting to be written right in your Arizona garden.
