You don’t need fancy seed-starting kits when so many household items can do the job just as well! From egg cartons to toilet paper rolls, your home is full of unexpected seed-starting hacks.
I’ve experimented with a few of these, and let’s just say my windowsill has never looked more like a mini greenhouse. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also give new life to everyday items you might have tossed out.
Get ready to start your seeds in the most creative (and budget-friendly) ways possible!
1. Eggshells
Imagine cracking open your breakfast eggs and using the shells to grow your own plants! The calcium-rich eggshells provide a natural, biodegradable pot for your seeds. Just carefully rinse and dry the shells, fill them with soil, and plant your seeds inside.
Place them back in the carton for support, and voila, you’ve got a charming little seed starter! Plus, when it’s time to transplant, the shell can be crushed and mixed into the soil for added nutrients.
2. Toilet Paper Rolls
Who would’ve thought that the humble toilet paper roll could have a second life? These brown tubes make excellent biodegradable seed pots.
Just cut them in half, fill them with soil, and plant your seeds. Arrange them in a shallow container to keep them upright, and watch your seeds grow tall and strong. When ready, plant the whole thing in the garden—the roll will decompose naturally!
3. Newspaper Pots
If you’ve got old newspapers lying around, you’re in luck! With a little folding and shaping, you can turn them into perfect eco-friendly seed starters.
Roll the paper around a small cup for shape, then fold the bottom to create a pot. Fill with soil, add your seeds, and watch them sprout. These pots break down easily in the garden, making transplanting a breeze.
4. Egg Cartons
Old egg cartons are a gardener’s hidden treasure. Cut them into individual cups, fill each with soil, and plant your seeds. They offer great support and are easy to label, so you won’t mix up your plants.
Water gently and watch as your seeds begin their journey to becoming full-grown plants. When it’s time, you can plant the whole cup in the soil as they are biodegradable!
5. Citrus Peels
Ever considered using citrus peels as tiny, fragrant seed pots? Simply scoop out the pulp, fill the halves with soil, and plant your seeds. These peels act as natural compost, adding nutrients as they break down.
Line them up on a tray near a sunny window for a fresh-smelling, eco-friendly garden. Once the seedlings are ready, plant the whole peel into the ground!
6. Plastic Bottles
Repurposing plastic bottles for seed starting is both ingenious and sustainable. Cut the bottle in half, use the bottom as your pot, and the top can serve as a mini greenhouse.
Fill with soil, plant your seeds, and cover with the top half to trap humidity. It’s a simple way to recycle while nurturing your plants. Once your seedlings are robust, transplant them with ease.
7. Tea Bags
Your morning tea ritual just got more sustainable! After brewing, save those tea bags and use them as seed starters. Simply plant seeds directly into the bags, as the tea leaves provide rich nutrients for growth.
Place them in a tray and keep them moist until seedlings appear. You can plant the bag directly into the soil, and it will naturally decompose.
8. Paper Towel Rolls
Extend the life of your paper towel rolls by transforming them into seed starters. Cut the roll into smaller segments, fill each with soil, and plant your seeds.
These sturdy tubes keep seeds cozy and moist, promoting healthy growth. Arrange them upright in a tray to catch water. When the time comes, plant them directly into your garden and watch them thrive.
9. Aluminum Trays
Aluminum trays from last night’s takeout can be your next seed-starting ally. They’re perfect for creating a mini greenhouse effect with their reflective surface.
Simply fill the tray with soil, plant your seeds, and cover with plastic wrap. This method traps heat and moisture, encouraging rapid germination. Reuse and recycle while watching your garden grow!
10. K-Cups
Give those used K-Cups a new purpose by turning them into seedling pots. Once the coffee is finished, clean out the cup, fill it with soil, and plant your seeds.
These tiny containers with built-in drainage holes are perfect for starting seeds. Place them on a sunny windowsill and enjoy watching your plants emerge. Move them to the garden once they’re strong enough.
11. Coffee Filters
Seeds can sprout in an unexpected way—with a little help from something you already have in the kitchen! Instead of traditional seed-starting trays, try using coffee filters. Fill each one with soil, plant your seeds, and place them in a shallow dish.
These filters allow for excellent drainage while keeping the soil moist. Arrange them in a sunny spot and watch your seedlings reach for the sky. Transplant them, filter and all, for easy integration into the garden.
12. Wine Corks
A fun and creative way to start your seeds is by using something you may have lying around—drilled corks. Take a wine cork, drill a small hole in the top, fill it with soil, and then plant your seed. This quirky method can make for an interesting and eco-friendly gardening project!
These tiny planters can be lined up in a wine rack for a fun display. Keep them moist and in a well-lit area for optimal growth. Once the seedlings are ready, transplant them into larger pots or your garden.
13. Shoe Organizers
Turn an old shoe organizer into a vertical garden masterpiece! Each pocket can hold soil and a handful of seeds. Hang it on a sunny wall, and watch as your garden grows vertically.
Watering is a breeze, and it saves precious floor space. Once your seedlings are mature, transfer them to larger pots or directly into your garden plot.
14. CD Cases
Old CD cases can have a second life as unique seed starters! Simply open the case, fill one side with soil, and plant your seeds. This simple hack is a great way to repurpose while giving your plants a head start.
Close it to create a greenhouse effect that retains warmth and moisture. Place it where it can catch some sun, and your seeds will sprout in no time. Enjoy this clever mix of nostalgia and gardening.
15. Ice Cube Trays
Why not repurpose an ice cube tray for your gardening needs? Fill each compartment with soil, plant your seeds, and watch them grow. It’s a clever and easy way to start your plants without needing fancy equipment!
This method allows you to grow many seedlings in a compact space. Place the tray in a sunny spot, and soon you’ll see tiny green shoots. Transplant each cube into a pot or garden when ready, enjoying this cool gardening hack.
16. Milk Jugs
Empty milk jugs are fantastic for seed starting and more. Cut them in half to use the bottom as a pot or the top as a protective cloche.
Fill the bottom with soil, plant seeds, and cover with the top to trap warmth. It’s a greenhouse effect on a budget! When seedlings are strong, transfer them to your garden and use the cloche for protection.
17. Mason Jars
Add a touch of rustic charm to your seed-starting routine with mason jars. Simply fill them with soil, plant your seeds, and set them in a sunny spot. The glass helps retain heat, creating a warm and inviting environment for your plants to thrive.
These jars make an appealing display on any windowsill. When the seedlings are ready, transplant them, and reuse the jars for your next batch.
18. Shells
Bring a touch of the seaside to your garden with shells as seed starters. These natural containers add elegance while providing a nurturing home for seeds.
Simply fill with soil, plant seeds, and position them in a sunny spot. Keep them moist, and seedlings will soon peek out. Once ready, transplant them, and perhaps use the shells again!
19. Pine Cones
Nature provides the perfect cradles for your seeds—pine cones! Simply fill the spaces between the scales with soil, plant your seeds carefully, and place them in a sunny spot. These natural planters offer excellent drainage and a beautiful, earthy look.
Water gently and watch your seedlings grow, then transplant them to continue enjoying the rustic charm of your pine cone planters.
20. Yogurt Containers
Repurpose yogurt containers as perfect seed starters! After cleaning them thoroughly, poke holes for drainage, fill with soil, and plant your seeds. Label each one to keep track of your little green babies.
These sturdy, reusable pots are perfect for thrifty gardeners. Once the seedlings are ready, simply transfer them to larger pots or your garden.
21. Tin Cans
Give your seeds a home in recycled containers with a bit of charm. Start by cleaning a tin can, adding drainage holes, and filling it with soil.
Plant your seeds and place the can on a sunny windowsill for a vintage touch. Water them regularly and watch your seedlings grow. Once they’re ready, transplant them into larger spaces to continue the cycle of sustainability.
22. Berry Containers
The humble berry container is a ready-made seed tray with built-in drainage. Simply fill with soil, add seeds, and snap the top closed. It acts like a mini greenhouse, trapping moisture and warmth.
Line them up in a sunny spot and enjoy watching your garden-to-be. When ready, transplant your seedlings with ease, giving them room to grow.
23. Popsicle Sticks
You can turn everyday craft supplies into little seed beds for your plants. Take popsicle sticks, carve a small groove in each, fill it with soil, and place your seed.
Arrange them in a tray, keeping them slightly moist. Once your seedlings sprout, transfer them to a larger space. These biodegradable sticks make your gardening journey both eco-friendly and fun!
24. Ice Cream Tubs
Give ice cream tubs a second life by turning them into generous seed-starting trays. Fill them with soil, plant your seeds, and cover with a transparent lid to create a greenhouse effect.
These tubs retain moisture, promoting quick germination. Keep the lid slightly open for ventilation, and place them in a sunny spot.
25. Cheese Containers
Transform cheese containers into perfect seed pots with just a little effort. Clean them, add soil, plant your seeds, and cover with the lid to create a greenhouse effect.
These containers help retain moisture, preventing your seeds from drying out. When your seedlings are strong enough, transplant them into larger pots or garden beds.
Reuse these containers for future batches, keeping your gardening journey both sustainable and eco-friendly.
26. Oatmeal Containers
An empty oatmeal container offers a tall and spacious home for seeds. Cut it in half, fill with soil, and plant seeds for a vertical growing experience. These containers are sturdy, holding moisture and providing ample space for roots.
Position them in sunlight to encourage healthy sprouting. Transplant when ready, and continue using the container for future seedlings.
27. Bath Sponges
A bath sponge can offer a unique and colorful way to start your seeds. Moisten the sponge, place seeds in the pores, and watch them germinate. The sponge retains moisture, creating an ideal growing environment.
Set it in a sunny spot, keeping it damp. When seedlings are ready, carefully separate them for transplanting, and reuse the sponge for another round.
28. Almond Milk Cartons
Those empty almond milk cartons make excellent seed starting containers. Cut the top off, fill with soil, and plant your seeds. The carton design helps retain moisture while providing enough space for root growth.
Arrange them in a sunny spot and watch as your seedlings flourish. When the time comes, plant them out, and recycle the carton responsibly.
29. Bread Bags
Plastic bread bags are perfect for creating a greenhouse effect for your seeds. Fill the bag with soil, plant seeds, and seal it to trap warmth and moisture. Lay them flat in a sunny area, and soon you’ll see sprouts reaching for the light.
This method is efficient and uses what’s already on hand. When seedlings are ready, transplant them, and reuse the bag if possible.
30. Snack Bags
Give old snack bags a new lease on life by turning them into seed starter bags. Clean the bags thoroughly, fill with soil, and plant your seeds. These bags act as flexible pots, trapping warmth and moisture for seed growth.
Line them up in a sunny location and monitor their progress. As your seedlings grow, transfer them to larger spaces, and recycle the bags.