Thrifted Before & After: Using Your Vintage Planters

Using vintage planters is trickier than using conventional pots. They're cute, but they're also small and awkward without proper drainage for your plants. With a little planning and the right plant selection, though, it can be easy to add some green to your home while using your thrifted pots.

 Tips for Using Your Vintage Planters  

1. Cute vintage planters are usually tiny, and are best suited for small succulents and cacti. These plants don't need much root space and grow slowly. Succulents and Cacti need plenty of light, don't plant them in a dark apartment. Use well-draining potting soil or mix sand into regular potting soil. Wait until the soil dries out between watering, these plants do not like getting too wet.

2. If you get a low amount of light in the house, try planting tiny tropicals (house plants) in your pots. I used tropicals for mine because they're going into my antique shop booth, which has limited lighting.

3. Many of these planters will not have holes at the bottom for proper drainage. Line the bottom of the pot with a sufficient layer of gravel (you can use fish tank gravel) to help drain excess water.

Add mulch to your plants, it helps maintain moisture levels and looks attractive, too. You can use rocks, aquarium gravel, or beach glass. With a little creativity, anything you thrift for that will contain soil can be a planter. The owl "planter" pictured here is actually part of a retro jar set I found (an easy planter because it had no lid). I miss having houseplants, so I think I'll keep an eye out for beautiful mod planters, and maybe some fun fish-shaped ones, too!

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