Nature Inspired Recycled Succulent Gift Box Planter
For me, there’s no gift quite as special as one that’s homemade and inspired by nature. And when that gift involves both succulents and recycling too then it ticks all the right boxes in my humble opinion. And this bit of craftiness we’re sharing today does just that. The succulent gift box planter is made entirely from recycled bits and will make any nature lovers’ day.
Not only does it look beautiful, but it’s also a gift that will keep on giving and you get to do your bit to save the planet. The succulent gift box can be put together in a morning.
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What you need
- Craft foam or plastic to make a lid
- Pretty ribbon or twine
- Moss
- Exterior plant safe glue (E6000 works well)
- Green spray paint (optional)
- Succulent
- Empty Aluminum container
If you don’t have an aluminum container, a plastic one will work too.
Is Aluminum Safe to Use as a Planter?
Yes, absolutely!!! Aluminum is completely “plant safe”. In fact, 8% of the earth’s crust is made up of Aluminium, which means aluminum planters are kinda like a home away from home for most plants 😉 And when you recycle aluminum containers as planters, not only are you lowering your carbon footprint, but the aluminum keeps the soil warm in winter and cool in summer, and it helps retain moisture too. While most planters will break or fade over time, those made with aluminum are corrosion-resistant and durable too. So save those aluminum foil containers.
How to Make a Living Succulent Gift Box Planter
Right, let’s turn that empty aluminum container into a gorgeous mossy gift box that doubles up as a long-lasting, eco-friendly planter.
I chose to add a succulent to this one since they’re low maintenance and we have a whole bunch of succulents in our collection. Our container didn’t have a lid, so I used a piece of craft foam to create one.
Just trace around the aluminum (foil) container and cut out. Test to see if the lid fits neatly.
Figure out where you’d like to plant the succulent. It’s kinda like deciding where the bow should go on a beautifully wrapped gift 😉 Depending on where you’d like to place your succulent, cut a hole in the lid. The hole needs to be big enough to fit your little succulent inside.
Poke a few drainage holes in the bottom of the container and paint the outside of the container and lid green. This step is optional, but I do find it helps disguise the shiny aluminum and you don’t have to add as many layers of moss.
Once the paint dries add a liberal amount of glue and stick the moss down.
Once the glue dries, fill the aluminum container with soil, and using the hole in the lid as a guide, figure out where to plant your succulent in the container.
I planted one of our many Gasteria babies in this one. Carefully slip the lid over and around the succulent and fold the edges of the aluminum container over the lid to secure. Glue some more moss down to cover the “fold-over”.
Add a pretty bow or some twine and your succulent gift box planter is ready.
Not bad for something that would have ended up in the dustbin 😉 And it’s so easy and budget-friendly too.
The succulent gift box is a gift that will keep on giving year after year. Once the little Gasteria makes babies of her own, I can subdivide her and fill up some more wine glass coconut planters or perhaps make another moss pillow planter.
If you like the idea of making a living succulent gift box, don’t forget to pin it for later.
Sharing is caring 😉
Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉
And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.
And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
What a super cute gift idea! Perfect gift for the plant lovers! ? You always come up with the cutest ways to show off your succulents!
Our succulent collection just seems to grow and grow so it always makes me happy when I can find a new way to share them 😉
I love this. I even have trouble growing succulents (see black thumb), but would love to try this with faux.
It will look so pretty with faux succulents to Rosemary.
Aahhh! Succulents. *Insert google eyes here* I would NOT want to give this gift box away. Just sayin’. Also, I didn’t know that about aluminum. I’m excited by the info, though! I am getting better at keeping house plants alive, and I just built a window shelf for plants in my laundry room. I may be creating one of these for myself this holiday season!
Oh, I hope you do Amy. It’s such a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle
What a unique idea and a super cute gift for someone. Love it!
Thanks so much, Kim
You are a girl after my own heart, Michelle! I love to work with moss. There are so many option and ideas to come up with. This upcycled planter is just fabulous. I KNOW my mom would love this as a gift. Thank you for the inspiration.
You’re so welcome Meegan and I know if you make something like this for your Mom you’ll be adding your own distinct style too.
Sharing this one with my daughters, who love succulent gardens!
Thanks so much, Janet. I’m sure your daughter will love making one or two 😉
This is crazy creative!! You always make me wish I had a greener thumb!
Aaaaawwww, thanks so much, Kim. Our weather here in South Africa has a lot to do with my green thumb and the fairies help too;-)
WOW, Michelle! Very cool idea and beautiful. Thanks for the tips 😀
You’re so welcome, Cat. Glad you liked the succulent gift box
This is such a practical and cute gift idea Michelle.
Thank you, Mary ❤
This is so creative! Love the natural look so much!
Thanks so much Christy
This is so pretty.What a unique idea for a gift! You have the most amazing posts.
Awwww Maria, thank you so much ❤
What a clever idea, Michelle! The succulent lovers on our gift list would be thrilled to get such a unique gift.
I’m sure they’ll love it Marie and in a few months, they’ll have a few succulent babies that they can share with someone else too
What a unique and awesome idea. And the lesson on the aluminium was very interesting, I had no idea. You always come up with the sweetest ideas that are so easy to follow thanks to your great tutorials.
Aluminum must be one of my favorite metals. It’s so lightweight and can be used for sooooooooo many different things. Lucky for us all the big stores sell those ready-cooked meals in aluminum containers so we have a whole I can turn into succulent gift boxes 😀
Gorgeous; I’m always in awe of your succulent collection and ideas to display them!
We’re so lucky to stay in South Africa where so many succulents grow wild and beautiful. And that little Gasteria makes babies all the time 😉