Up-cycle and create this inexpensive Aluminum Can Succulent Garden using aluminum cans, spray paint, basic tools, and of course a few succulents!

I love when I can up-cycle and turn items from the trash into a treasure! At first glance you would not realize that this Aluminum Can Succulent Garden was once trash!
After refreshing our patio for summer I realized I wanted to incorporate succulents, and that’s when I got the idea to create an Aluminum Can Succulent Garden.
Supplies
- Aluminum Cans (free)
- Spray Paint (had on hand)
- Drop Cloth (had on hand)
- Drill with 1/4-inch Drill Bit (had on hand)
- Succulents ($3.97 each)
- Garden Gloves (had on hand)
- Shovel (had on hand)
Directions
Step 1: Remove the paper from the aluminum can. Clean the can well. Lay a drop cloth (or newspaper on hand) down outside. Do multiple thin coats of spray paint in the color of your choice. Let it dry 15-20 minutes in between coats until the surface is completely covered.
Step 2: Once the aluminum cans are dry drill 3 holes into the bottom of the can. This will allow the water to drain out of the can for the plants. I used a 1/4-inch drill bit.
Step 3: Plant your succulents! Because the cans are so small you will not need to buy additional succulent and cactus dirt. Just use the dirt that comes with your plants. You will need to remove a lot of the dirt from the plant. Gently plant each succulent. For the smaller can I was able to use just a quarter of one of the succulents I bought. They pull apart pretty easy although my father in-law who is a master gardener does not recommend splitting the succulents. He says that they don’t thrive as much when they are seperated. I broke the rule and separated them.
So what are you waiting for… save a few of your cans when cooking dinner this week, breakout the spray paint, and then head to your local garden store to pick up some succulents!



Aluminum Can Succulent Garden
Up-cycle and create this inexpensive Aluminum Can Succulent Garden using aluminum cans, spray paint, basic tools, and of course a few succulents!
Materials
- Aluminum Cans
- Spray Paint
- Drop Cloth
- Succulents
- Garden Gloves
Tools
- Drill with 1/4-inch Drill Bit
- Shovel
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove the paper from the aluminum can. Clean the can well. Lay a drop cloth (or newspaper on hand) down outside. Do multiple thin coats of spray paint in the color of your choice. Let it dry 15-20 minutes in between coats until the surface is completely covered.
- Step 2: Once the aluminum cans are dry drill 3 holes into the bottom of the can. This will allow the water to drain out of the can for the plants. I used a 1/4-inch drill bit.
- Step 3: Plant your succulents! Because the cans are so small you will not need to buy additional succulent and cactus dirt. Just use the dirt that comes with your plants. You will need to remove a lot of the dirt from the plant. Gently plant each succulent. For the smaller can I was able to use just a quarter of one of the succulents I bought. They pull apart pretty easy although my father in-law who is a master gardener does not recommend splitting the succulents. He says that they don’t thrive as much when they are separated. I broke the rule and separated them.
Notes
You can make a wide variety of the cans by using various sizes of cans and colors of spray paint.


Make this easy and inexpensive Aluminum Can Succulent Garden for less than $5 per can! And then thank me and for saving you money and sprucing up your living space!

Originally published on June 27, 2013 // Updated with new text & Pinterest image on May 6, 2020.
Comments & Reviews
kari says
Do you put anthing under the can so the water doesnt drain everywhere?
Katie says
Hi Kari, I do not put anything under the cans. You do not need to water them often, so when I do water them I remove them from the table and place them on the ground. Once they are done draining out (about a day) I will put them back on the table.
Deneen says
These plants are my favorite. Loved your fun project!
Katie says
Thanks Deneen! Will you be at Haven next weekend?
Ashley at The Feisty Redhead says
Loooove those colors! And succulents are one plant I can’t kill. (Or shouldn’t be able to, anyway!)
Katie says
Thanks Ashley! I agree succulents are super easy to take care of!
malia says
I love succulents– so stylish and so hard to kill! Your garden is lovely.
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles says
I agree with Lauren – I need to get a spray paint gun thingy! 🙂 Love this project – pinned it!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
These are so cute, Katie! And I’m envious of your spray paint gun thingy. (Like my technical terminology?) I always end up with a sore (and painty) finger at the end of a long spray paint session. :-/
Katie says
Lauren–go buy one now. Best $10ish investment ever. I won’t spray paint without it!!!! Thanks for the kind compliments!
Debbie refresh resytle says
I love these! What a great idea, pinned for later 🙂
Debbie
Katie says
Thanks Debbie!!!
Sarah Halstead (@InTheMomentWith) says
Love the way this looks. Great job!!
Katie says
Thanks!!!
Sarah says
They turned out so good! Great recycling project too 🙂