10 Creative Ways To Turn An Old Strainer Into A Hanging Garden Basket

If you have an old kitchen strainer or colander lying around, you’re already halfway to a charming hanging garden basket. These humble pieces are full of tiny drainage holes, handles for easy hanging, and loads of vintage character, making them perfect for home gardeners, renters, and balcony owners.

In this post, you’ll find simple, budget-friendly ways to transform tired strainers into beautiful hanging planters. From herbs and strawberries to fairy gardens and succulents, each idea is easy to try with basic tools and potting mix. Use these projects to add color, texture, and personality to your outdoor space—without buying expensive new containers.

Quick List

1. Vintage Colander Herb Basket
2. Color-Painted Strainer Flower Ball
3. Boho Macramé Strainer Hanger
4. Rustic Enamel Strainer Strawberry Basket
5. Mini Fairy Garden Strainer Scene
6. Kitchen-Themed Patio Strainer Trio
7. Shallow Strainer Succulent Cascade
8. Mossy Shade-Lover Strainer Basket
9. Balcony Privacy Row With Strainers
10. Seasonal Celebration Strainer Centerpiece Basket

1. Vintage Colander Herb Basket

Give an old colander a new life by turning it into a hanging herb basket. Line the inside with a bit of burlap or coffee filters to keep soil from washing out, then fill it with good-quality potting mix and tuck in your favorite herbs—basil, thyme, parsley, and mint all work well. Hang it with chain or sturdy rope from a hook on your balcony, porch, or near the back door. The tiny holes provide perfect drainage, and the herbs will spill attractively over the edges.

• Best For: Small balconies, kitchen doors, and renters who love cooking with fresh herbs.
• Budget Tip: Use secondhand colanders, old chains, and leftover coffee filters as liners.
• Styling Idea: Choose soft green or white enamel colanders for a cottage-kitchen vibe.
• Practical Note: Place it where you can reach it easily for daily snipping and watering.

2. Color-Painted Strainer Flower Ball

Turn a tired metal strainer into a cheerful flower ball by giving it a fresh coat of outdoor paint and packing it with colorful annuals. Once the paint dries, line the inside with a bit of coco liner or fabric, add soil, and plant petunias, verbena, or trailing lobelia. Hang the basket so it sits at eye level, where flowers can spill over the rim for a full, rounded look. It instantly brightens a dull corner and adds playful color to any garden.

• Best For: Brightening bare fences, patios, or a gloomy side passage.
• Budget Tip: Use leftover spray paint and inexpensive multipack bedding plants.
• Styling Idea: Pick one color family (pastels, jewel tones, or brights) for a cohesive look.
• Care & Maintenance: Deadhead flowers regularly and feed with a liquid fertilizer to keep blooms coming.

3. Boho Macramé Strainer Hanger

For a relaxed boho feel, nestle an old strainer into a simple macramé plant hanger. The built-in rim and handles make it easy to secure the pot snugly among the knots. Fill the strainer with trailing plants like ivy, string-of-hearts, or bacopa, which will drape through the holes and soften the metal. Hang it in a corner of your porch or balcony where it can sway gently in the breeze, adding movement and texture to your space.

• Best For: Covered porches, boho-style balconies, and relaxed outdoor seating areas.
• Budget Tip: Make your own hanger with basic cotton cord and a few simple knots.
• Styling Idea: Pair neutral cord with a slightly rusty or aged strainer for a relaxed, lived-in look.
• Practical Note: Keep this basket under partial cover so the cord and plants don’t get waterlogged.

4. Rustic Enamel Strainer Strawberry Basket

Enamel strainers are perfect for a rustic strawberry basket, thanks to their sturdy sides and charming speckles. Line the base lightly, add rich compost, and plant a couple of compact strawberry varieties around the edges so they can cascade over. Hang the basket from a pergola, beam, or sturdy hook where it gets at least six hours of sun. As fruits ripen, they dangle over the rim, looking decorative and staying clean and easy to pick.

• Best For: Sunny patios, pergolas, and cottage-style gardens.
• Budget Tip: Start with a small handful of strawberry runners or one affordable plant.
• Styling Idea: Choose white or cream enamel with red strawberries for a classic farmhouse feel.
• Care & Maintenance: Water regularly and add a slow-release fertilizer for steady fruiting.

5. Mini Fairy Garden Strainer Scene

Create a tiny hanging fairy world by using an old strainer as a miniature garden bowl. Start with a base of soil and moss, then tuck in small, low-growing plants like baby tears or miniature ferns. Add little fairy houses, a twig fence, or a tiny ladder resting against the rim. Hang it at child eye level or just below, so everyone can peer into the scene. It’s a lovely way to bring whimsy and storytelling into a small outdoor space.

• Best For: Families with kids, shaded porches, or magical garden corners.
• Budget Tip: Make fairy accessories from twigs, pebbles, and bottle caps you already have.
• Styling Idea: Use softer greens and natural materials to keep the scene gentle and charming.
• Practical Note: Keep this basket in bright shade so moss and miniature plants don’t scorch.

6. Kitchen-Themed Patio Strainer Trio

Hang three different strainers at staggered heights to create a kitchen-themed hanging garden on your patio wall. Mix metals and finishes—shiny, brushed, enamel—to add interest. Plant each with something different: one with herbs, one with flowers, and one with a small leafy green or trailing plant. Grouping them together instantly makes a mini feature wall that ties your outdoor space back to the heart of the home: the kitchen.

• Best For: Patios outside the kitchen, small courtyards, and renters wanting impact.
• Budget Tip: Collect mismatched strainers from charity shops instead of buying matching sets.
• Styling Idea: Choose plants in similar tones (all greens or all soft colours) for a calmer look.
• Practical Note: Hang them where you can water easily without splashing walls or doors.

7. Shallow Strainer Succulent Cascade

Shallow strainers are ideal for succulents, which don’t need deep soil but love excellent drainage. Fill the strainer with a gritty succulent mix and nestle in rosettes of echeveria, sedums, and a trailing variety like string of pearls or burro’s tail near the edge. When hung, the trailing plants will spill elegantly through the holes and over the rim. This creates a tidy yet dramatic display that works especially well against a plain wall.

• Best For: Sunny walls, sheltered balconies, and low-maintenance decorators.
• Budget Tip: Propagate succulents from cuttings rather than buying full-size plants.
• Styling Idea: Keep to silvery greens and soft blues for a cool, modern feel.
• Care & Maintenance: Water sparingly and make sure excess water can drip away freely.

8. Mossy Shade-Lover Strainer Basket

If you have a shady spot, turn a strainer into a lush moss and fern basket. Line the inside with moss itself, add a small amount of humus-rich compost, and tuck in small ferns, ivy, and more moss. The plants will gently poke through the holes, softening the metal and giving a woodland feel. Hung under a tree, in a carport, or a covered side passage, this basket brings life to places where many flowering baskets struggle.

• Best For: Shady porches, under-eave corners, and side paths.
• Budget Tip: Use divisions from existing ferns and ivy instead of buying new plants.
• Styling Idea: Pair with wooden or stone accents nearby to enhance the woodland atmosphere.
• Care & Maintenance: Mist regularly and keep the compost lightly moist, not soggy.

9. Balcony Privacy Row With Strainers

On a balcony, a row of hanging strainer baskets can double as decor and a soft privacy screen. Attach hooks or a simple rail to the balcony edge, then hang several strainers in a line at the same height. Plant them with trailing ivy, cascading flowers, or even edible peas to create a gentle green curtain. This breaks up the view of neighboring buildings while still letting light and breeze through, keeping the space airy.

• Best For: Apartments, small balconies, and overlooked patios.
• Budget Tip: Start with just two or three baskets and add more over time.
• Styling Idea: Choose strainers in similar metals but vary the plant types for a relaxed mix.
• Practical Note: Check balcony weight limits and secure hooks safely before hanging.

10. Seasonal Celebration Strainer Centerpiece Basket

Use one hanging strainer basket as a changing seasonal feature. Plant it with simple green trailing plants that look good all year, then tuck in small seasonal decorations: mini pumpkins and autumn leaves in fall, pinecones and faux berries in winter, pastel eggs in spring, or bright ribbons in summer. Hang it near your front door or over an outdoor table so guests can enjoy it up close. It keeps your garden decor feeling fresh without constant replanting.

• Best For: Front porches, entertaining areas, and people who enjoy seasonal decorating.
• Budget Tip: Reuse the same greenery and simply swap out small decorative accents.
• Styling Idea: Stick to one or two accent colours per season to avoid a cluttered look.
• Care & Maintenance: Remove decorations before watering and keep plants trimmed and healthy.

Conclusion

Old strainers and colanders are far too useful and charming to throw away. With a little imagination and some potting mix, they become unique hanging garden baskets that add height, texture, and personality to any outdoor space. Choose one or two of these projects to start—perhaps a simple herb basket or a painted flower ball—and build from there. Over time, your recycled strainer planters can become a signature feature of your garden, balcony, or porch.

FAQs

1. Can I really use any old strainer as a hanging basket?
Yes, most metal or enamel strainers and colanders work well because they already have drainage holes. Just check that the material is sturdy, not cracked, and won’t crumble when drilled or hung. If it’s very rusty, line it thoroughly and handle with care.

2. How do I stop soil from falling through the holes?
Line the inside with coffee filters, a piece of old cotton fabric, burlap, or a thin layer of moss. These let water drain while holding soil in place. Avoid plastic bags without holes, as they can cause waterlogging and root rot.

3. Are these ideas suitable for renters?
They’re excellent for renters, especially on balconies or in small patios. You can hang strainers from over-door hooks, balcony rails, or freestanding plant stands, leaving walls and fences untouched. When you move, simply take your hanging baskets with you.

4. What plants work best in strainer baskets?
Compact herbs, trailing flowers, ivy, strawberries, small ferns, and succulents all do well. Strainers tend to be shallow, so choose plants with smaller root systems and water more frequently, especially in hot weather.

5. How can I keep costs low when making these baskets?
Use secondhand strainers, repurpose old chains or rope, and take cuttings or divisions from plants you already have. Start with just one or two baskets and expand gradually, adding seasonal accents and paint only if your budget allows.

6. Will metal strainers get too hot for plant roots?
In very sunny spots, metal can heat up quickly. To protect roots, line the inside well, use a quality potting mix, and choose plants that enjoy sun. You can also hang the basket where it gets morning light and afternoon shade to keep temperatures gentler.