Do you use a lot of tin cans and want to recycle them? Well in today’s post I show you how you can recycle your tin cans with decoupage to create DIY tin can planters. A perfect upcycling project for your plants and flowers.

Recycling is so important, so what better way to do it than by transforming your rubbish into something pretty and useful? Today I am going to show you just how to do that using some old tin cans, you know the ones, baked beans, chopped tomato cans etc, turning them into DIY tin can planters.

Now, the method of choice for these is using the art of decoupage. I have previously upcycled an old sewing box with decoupage and had great results. Therefore I thought it would be a great way to add designs onto tin cans to turn them into cute little plant pots. But, what is decoupage?

What is Decoupage?

Decoupage is an art form that uses glue and thin paper, like napkins to add images onto other objects. This is an old art form, primarily for styling furniture, by adding layers of varnish to seal in the paper. By adding several layers, it helps the extra piece to blend in and become one with the item. Decoupage is a really great art design, as well as being quite relaxing to do.

So, if you would like to see how to make DIY tin can planters from old cans and decoupage, then…Let’s get crafting!

DIY Tin Can Planters

For this project, as I said, I am using decoupage. Tin cans can be recycled in different ways, such as painting on designs, or hole punching designs into the can. Decoupaging the cans is a relatively cheap way to do it and you can even make your own glue for it too. However, as these tin can planters are going to be for outside use, I am using an outside mod podge glue for them.

What you need:

To make these DIY tine can planters you will need the following items. Some items on this list are affiliate links, which are marked with an asterisk (*).

• Tin Cans (used bean, tomato, soup tins etc)
• Patterned napkins
• Sealer* – I used this one, but a regular sealer may work or primer.
• White Spray Paint*
• Outdoor Mod Podge glue*
• Decoupage brushes (short brushes)*
• Hammer*
• Nail*
• Soil/Compost
• Chosen Plant – I went with Pansies

Step 1 – Prep the Tins

Before the tin cans can be transformed, they need to be prepared. Remove any labels that are on the outside, and make sure they are clean on the inside.
If there are any bits of glue residue on the outside of the can, you can remove this easily in a few ways. Soak the can in soapy hot water and use a wire scrubbing brush the get the glue off. You can also use oil, like olive oil or vegetable oil on a paper towel. Rub this over the glue and it can help it unstick from the can.

Dry the tin cans thoroughly before moving onto the next step.

Step 2 – Create Drainage Holes

To be able to use the cans as planters, then you need to create drainage holes. This will allow any excess water to drain away from the plants, and hopefully reducing the risk of root rot.
To create the drainage holes all you need is a hammer and a decent size nail. This will help puncture a hole in the can to create drainage holes. Place the nail in the middle of the bottom of the can and tap with the hammer. This should puncture through the bottom after a few hits. Be careful when doing this, so as not to injure your hands with the hammer. The nail may move when hitting, so be mindful of this too.

Step 3 – Seal and Paint

Now, this part may not be necessary, however, I wanted to preserve the tins as much as possible. To reduce the risk of the can rusting inside, a sealer is applied. The sealer I used is a waterproof repair sealer, and it seems to be doing the job well. Spray this around the inside of the tin can, being careful not to cover the drainage holes. Leave to dry before spraying the outside with paint.

When dry, use spray paint in whatever colour you like. I opted for a white as I thought this would help blend the napkins better when adhering them to the tin. Ideally use a stain-blocking primer and then your colour. I just placed the spray paint directly onto the tin cans and found that the tin altered the white into a cream/off-white colour.
Apply a few light but even coats, allowing time to dry between until you get the colour you like.

Allow the spray paint to fully dry before moving onto the next step. I left a few days between the final layer of paint and applying the napkins.

Step 4 – Prepare Napkins

The next step is the decorative step. There are a few ways to apply the napkins to the tin cans; either covering the whole tin with the napkin or selecting parts of the pattern to the tin.
For either design, you want to remove the top layer of the napkin (patterned piece) from the rest of the layers. The napkins I used were 2-ply napkins, but some come 3-ply. Gently separate them, making sure not to tear the napkin when doing so.

For applying the napkin the whole way around the tin can, measure how much of the napkin you need. Do this by wrapping it around the tin, and marking with your fingernail the bottom edge. Then use a small paintbrush with a little water on it and draw a line where you have marked. Gently pull the napkin and it should begin tearing where the watermark is. Doing it this way help to reduce the napkin ripping in the wrong place and gives a cleaner rip. You can use scissors, but having the slightly jagged edge of the napkin is actually better to blend onto the tin can. See the video below for the technique!

To achieve the look of parts of the napkin, repeat the same process with the paintbrush and water. This time just draw around the design you want and remove it from the napkin piece. This can then be positioned wherever you like on the tin. I loved this look, as it looks like the pattern has eroded from the tin, giving it a really nice vintage look.

Once you have all of your pieces it is time to adhere them to the tin cans.

Step 5 – Adhere the Napkins

Now it is time to adhere the napkins to the cans using Mod Podge glue. This is like PVA glue. You can make your own Mod Podge by adding water to PVA glue (I think), however as these tins will come in contact with water, then we need to use the outdoor version of Mod Podge.

Place a small layer of Mod Podge straight onto the tin can. Place this on for the full length of the tin, but not the whole way around, you want to work in stages. Take the selected napkin (wrapping around the tin) and place it where the glue has been applied. Smooth it out and remove any bubbles. Be careful as the napkin will be even more delicate now that it is touching the glue. Then, add more glue to the in and press down the napkin until it has come back around. If you have any napkin overlapping, use the water trick to remove the excess.

If you are applying individual pieces of the napkin, repeat the same process, however only applying the glue initially where you are placing the piece of napkin.

When all of the napkin or napkin pieces has been applied, it is then time to apply a thin layer of glue over the top. This will help seal the napkin into the tin. Ideally, you want to wait until the glue underneath has dried before adding the glue on top. Again, the napkin will be very delicate and pliable, so be careful not to rip it. If it does rip, it will add to the rustic look though! Wait for this layer to dry before adding another. I think I applied about 3-4 layers of the glue.
Allow to dry and harden.

Step 6 – Add Plants to the DIY Tin Can Planters

Once the DIY tin can planters are dry and the glue is hard, plants can be added. You want to choose plants that are quite small in nature, as the tin cans are small and will be detrimental to root growth to larger plants. I opted to place a single Pansy as these are smaller flowers.

Place your chosen compost into the DIY tin can planter, filling this until about 3/4 full. Dampen the soil with water slightly. Then take the flower, loosening the roosts slightly if compacted and place it into the tin can. Add more compost to cover the roots, bringing it up close to the top of the tin can. I did mine until just under the lip of the can, as I didn’t want soil pouring out when watering.
Then give the flower a good watering to help it settle into the tin can and the DIY tin can planters are complete and ready to display. As the glue use is for outdoor use, these can be placed outside, or onto your windowsill for a colourful display.

What do you think of these DIY tin can planters? Have you recycled your rubbish into something useful and pretty before? Let me know in the comments!

DIY Tin Can Planters – Video

Here is the video version of how to make these DIY tin can planters. Don’t forget to give the video a thumbs up if you have enjoyed it, and Subscribe to my channel to keep up with my creative antics over on Youtube!

DIY Tin Can Planters – Share it!

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