I’m a little obsessed with creative DIY planter ideas right now. Maybe it’s because summer is approaching and I’m thinking about plants more often, or maybe I’m just a bit eccentric. Either way, I wanted to share another planter project that stands out for its texture and the surprising, recyclable material used. It’s affordable, easy, and creates a gorgeous, tactile finish.
These textured planters are made from recycled tin cans and corn husks. Yes—corn husks. The combination yields an intricate, organic texture that looks much more sophisticated than the budget-friendly materials would suggest. One bag of dried corn husks covers at least five small to medium cans, so each planter costs roughly $2 to make.
Materials
- Bag of dried corn husks
- Recycled tin cans (cleaned)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
One bag of corn husks will cover several cans, making this a very economical craft. You can leave the husks their natural color or paint them to match your decor.
Instructions for Textured DIY Planters
1. Paint the corn husks with acrylic paint and lay them flat to dry. For varied effects, fully coat some husks and dilute the paint for others so the natural husk color peeks through.
2. While the husks dry, remove labels from the recycled cans and wash them thoroughly. Dry the cans completely before gluing.
3. Once the husks are dry, attach a base layer to the can with hot glue, completely covering the surface. Add a second layer of husks placed more deliberately to introduce pattern and depth. Overlap pieces to create dimension and trim some ends into points or shapes for visual interest.
4. After the glue has set, fill the finished planter with soil and a plant, or use it as a vase for fresh flowers. These planters work well for small houseplants, herbs, or as decorative vessels.
I actually made these nearly two years ago and kept them because I loved them so much, but never posted the tutorial—so I re-shot the photos and finally shared the steps. It’s funny how projects sometimes sit unfinished while you still enjoy the results.
Photography by Amelia Tatnall Lawrence
What do you think? Could you tell these were made from corn husks?