Make Your Own Hanging Planters From Plastic Bottles

When it comes to reducing our waste, the only thing better than recycling is upcycling! This DIY project gives a second life to your old plastic bottles, transforming them into adorable, modern hanging plant holders that are perfect for air plants and other small plants that can be planted in soil, like succulents. Create just one hanging vessel or string together several in an eye-catching vertical display like we've done here.

You can use any type of empty plastic vessel, but a bottle with a round base will provide the nicest lines for your planters.

Peel away any labels affixed to the bottles. If you encounter any stubborn label patches that don't peel off easily, saturate them with olive oil or nail polish remover and then scrub off the label. Wash the bottles thoroughly and allow them to dry.

With a sharp blade, carefully cut off the top of each vessel to create a planter of your desired size. It doesn't have to be a perfect line.

Using scissors, shape the front of the opening to form a slight curve. Sand any rough edges if necessary.

After you have the desired amount of containers cut (I used three), drill a hole on both sides of the vessels at the top. Pay heed to the location of the holes so the planters will hang evenly.

Spray paint the outside of the bottles as well as the inside and allow them to dry. Then, arrange the vessels in a vertical line, spaced apart evenly. Cut a piece of twine that is long enough to thread down both sides of the vessels with enough excess at the top for hanging. (I used about 4 feet of twine.)

Starting at the bottom vessel, thread one end of the twine through the right-side hole of each vessel. Tie a simple knot outside the bottom hole to secure the twine in place. Thread the other end of the twine through the left-side holes of the vessels and tie a knot outside the bottom hole.

Fill the plant holders with air plants or fill them with soil and plant some small plants, like succulents. You could even use each vessel as a vase by filling them with water and placing fresh flowers inside.