Empty Tin Cans: the clever way to make herb planters

When spring rolls around, plenty of people have a quick clear-out of the kitchen and balcony without a second thought. In the process, one everyday item almost always ends up in the rubbish or straight into the recycling bin - and it really doesn’t deserve it. Gardeners are increasingly using it to create practical, surprisingly attractive herb planters.

Why empty tin cans are suddenly in demand

To most people, an empty tin is just packaging waste: open it, tip out the contents, throw the tin away - that’s the usual routine. But keen gardeners now see something else in those cans: tough, free plant pots that can make a real difference on small balconies and patios.

"With a few simple steps, kitchen waste becomes a decorative herb pot - without buying new containers."

The appeal is obvious. Tins are sturdy, stack neatly and can be lined up close together. On a balcony railing, along steps, fixed to an old fence or mounted straight onto an outside wall: wherever there’s hardly any room for big planters, these slim metal containers can slot in.

Many home gardeners use this upcycling idea to cut costs and reduce plastic. With day-to-day living costs rising, every set of plant pots not bought from the garden centre is money kept back. Reusing tins also shrinks the amount of waste you produce - a bonus for anyone trying to live more sustainably.

The approach is particularly handy for renters with a tiny balcony or a narrow window ledge. If there’s no space for a raised bed, you can quickly create a vertical herb garden by attaching ten or twelve tins to a wooden batten.

How to turn tin cans into attractive herb containers

Getting from an empty tin to a “rustic herb pot” is quicker than you might think. You don’t need specialist tools or expert knowledge. The basic method stays the same, and you can tweak the details to suit your taste.

Step 1: Clean and prep the tin

• Rinse out any leftover beans, sweetcorn or tomatoes thoroughly
• Peel off the label and remove any glue under warm water
• If needed, smooth sharp edges around the rim with a little sandpaper

Cleaning isn’t just about appearance. Food residue can encourage mould or attract insects. A completely clean interior gives young plants a better start.

Step 2: Add drainage holes for excess water

This is crucial: plants mustn’t sit in water. Each tin needs small holes in the base so surplus water can drain away.

• Use a nail and hammer, or a small drill bit, to make several holes in the base
• Stand the tin on a wooden board so you don’t damage the table
• Wear protective gloves in case the metal edges bend slightly

If you plan to hang the tins later, drill an extra small hole in the back, just below the rim. You can thread wire or string through it afterwards.

Step 3: Make a hanger - wire instead of pricey brackets

For a hanging effect, an old wire coat hanger or a length of sturdy cord is often all you need.

• Use pliers to straighten and open the coat hanger
• Shape two hooks that fit through the side hole in the tin
• Hang the wire from a nail, hook or trellis above

If you’d rather avoid metal hangers, wrap the tin with jute twine and tie knots to create a loop for hanging. That leans into a country-style look and also disguises the bare metal.

Herbs that do especially well in tins

Not every plant enjoys tight containers, but many kitchen favourites cope well with the limited space. The following options have proved particularly reliable:

Herb	Best used for	Notes
Parsley	Soups, stews, potatoes	Likes even moisture; avoid harsh midday sun
Chives	Salads, scrambled eggs, quark	Tough and regrows quickly after cutting
Thyme	Tray-baked veg, meat, Mediterranean dishes	Handles low water well; loves sun
Mint	Tea, lemonade, desserts	Spreads aggressively - a tin keeps it under control
Basil	Pasta, pizza, pesto	Needs plenty of light and regular watering

A high-quality, peat-free compost is ideal. Peat-free compost helps protect peatlands while still providing strong nutrient levels for container plants. One extra tip: a thin layer of clay pebbles or gravel in the bottom of the tin improves drainage even further.

"Plant a dozen tins side by side and you’ll have a small, aromatic ‘herb wall’ - perfect for a balcony, fence or window ledge."

Design ideas: from industrial to brightly coloured

Plain tins can look a bit stark at first. That’s exactly what makes them so adaptable: with a few small changes, you can match them to your style.

Minimalist: let metal look like metal

If you prefer a modern feel, leave the tins bare. Against concrete walls, black railings or wooden battens, they create an eye-catching contrast. Shiny metal paired with rich green foliage can look like a design item you’d buy in a shop.

Bright and playful: add colour

Many gardeners use weatherproof acrylic paint or spray paint. Pastel shades such as sage green, light blue or blush pink sit nicely with seat cushions and outdoor rugs. If you fancy it, paint simple motifs too - herb names, small sprigs or dots.

• Lightly sand the tins before painting so the colour grips better
• Only spray outdoors or with a window fully open
• Let the paint dry completely before filling, so compost doesn’t stick to fresh paint

Flowers instead of foliage: trailing plants for romantic corners

Tins aren’t just for culinary herbs. Trailing flowers such as nasturtiums, hanging petunias or so-called “snowflake flowers” also do well in these metal containers. For a wilder look, simply sow a mixed packet of wildflowers.

Many flowering plants attract insects. Bees and butterflies can still find food even on a small city balcony. Adding a few tins of nectar-rich plants among your herbs makes the spot noticeably more wildlife-friendly.

What matters for watering and choosing the right spot

Herbs can seem low-maintenance, but in pots they can become sensitive quite quickly. In metal containers, compost heats up fast in strong sun and dries out rapidly.

• Choose bright positions that aren’t too exposed to wind
• In summer, water moderately in the morning and evening rather than drenching once
• Avoid waterlogging - it’s better to let the surface dry briefly
• A little liquid feed every few weeks supports healthy growth

If your herbs look limp despite regular watering, check the drainage holes. They’re often blocked by compost or limescale. Tap the tin gently to loosen the blockage and reopen the holes.

How safe is growing in metal containers?

Many people wonder whether it’s truly safe to grow vegetables and herbs in old tins. As a rule, food tins are made from tin-plated steel. Plant roots rarely touch the metal rim directly because the compost sits between.

If you want extra reassurance, use tins that have an internal coating, or place a thin plastic liner inside (with drainage holes drilled in it too). That way, the compost has even less contact with the metal. For ornamental plants, this isn’t an issue anyway.

Getting more from it: rescued herbs and family projects

This tin idea is also ideal for spur-of-the-moment gardening sessions with children. Give each tin a name, let the little ones plant and paint their own pots, and they’ll learn how plants grow - and that not everything belongs in the bin.

A mini herb garden is equally useful for saving supermarket leftovers: a half-wilted bunch of parsley, a basil plant drooping in its plastic tray, or mint sprigs left over from last night’s cocktails. Some cuttings can be stood in water to root, then planted into a tin - extending their life noticeably.

"If you pay attention in the kitchen, you’ll soon notice: many households go through enough tins each week to fill an entire herb wall."

Next time you open a tin while cooking, you don’t have to dispose of it automatically. With a nail, some compost and a small herb plant, that supposed waste turns into something useful and unexpectedly decorative - making even the smallest balcony a little greener.

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