How to Turn a Trashed Iron Into a Treasured Planter

We really enjoy turning forgotten objects into conversation-starting indoor/outdoor garden decor; this upcycled succulent planter project is one of those ideas that’s our signature style: quirky and creative.

Hubs and I happened on a curbside find one day while taking a walk in a new neighbourhood. It just so happens that I own the same vintage iron, so when I saw it sitting near the curb after a garage sale, you didn’t have to twist my arm to scoop it up and take it home.

[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The blue links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]

1. Old iron (preferably one that no longer works)
2. 2" mini planter pots
3. Seed beads approx 2-3 mm

Wire:

1. 20 or 22 gauge wire
2. 12 gauge (or whatever fits your iron's vent holes) anodized aluminum wire
3. Glue
4. Chain nose jewelry pliers
5. Round nose jewelry pliers (for making the loops)
6. Nylon pliers (for straightening wire)
7. Tape measure
8. Baby succulents or faux succulents
9. Mini Snips to cut the wire

I never testing this iron since it was found on the street. But if it did work, I thought it would become my craft iron. I haven’t had much demand for ironing lately, so it went into the stash. Then, recently, my friend Carol from the Style Makers Network challenged us to create something inspired by the idea of “futuristic”.

These challenges always get me thinking! I’d like to believe that the future will be kinder to our planet; that we’ll become more mindful of the things we consume and the waste we create. But a tiny voice in my head wonders if we’re heading in the opposite direction.

Anyway, this crazy idea popped into my head! As an upcycler, I decided to imagine the future through the lens of an everyday object that may one day become obsolete: the electric iron.

My whimsical planter will be a great decor item in a future where fabrics are so techy that wrinkles are no longer a concern. In that world, irons might become relics from a bygone era (like rotary phones); reminders of the time we spent pressing and steaming our clothes and fabrics to keep them looking crisp. By the way, if you’re curious to see what the fabric that I'm ironing above becomes, see this post on surface design.

At first, I was going to tap the vent holes in the plate so that I could screw right into them and hang little mini planters from the screws. But then I realized that I hadn’t even tested the iron and it likely still worked. I didn't want to take a chance and destroy it.

So in order to do this non-destructively I took a different approach to converting the iron into a succulent planter. To test my theory, I started playing with anodized aluminum wire to form an S-hook. Before forming it, I like to ensure the wire is straight by running nylon pliers along the length.

Turns out, the round section of my screw driver makes the perfect curves.

As I played, I realized I’d have to bend one end to give it some leverage. So I used my nylon pliers once again to bend one end of the hook so I wouldn’t leave marks on the soft metal. That bend, and gravity, will keep the custom S-hook from sliding out.

I save EVERYTHING! So when I purchased baby succulents 7 years ago, I kept the mini pots they were planted in (first pic).

Once I was satisfied the S-hooks work, I cut three 10” pieces of steel wire to wrap around the mini pots. Since the wire is plain, I’ll mix a few different colours of seed beads and thread them onto the wire.

I thought I might be able to substitute bead wires instead of making my own from wire. But the ones I have are too small to hold the mini pots for this unconventional purpose. They’ll make great earrings if I ever want to match the beading on my succulent planter!

So onward with the wire! I formed a loop at one end. Then I formed a circle to hold the pot. Wrap it around, just under the rim.

Now mix a few colours of seed beads. You could use a solid colour, but I really like the variation of different colours. Keep adding beads until the circle is almost full.

Leave enough room to twist the wire closed around the pot.

Once all the beads are on, thread the other end through the loop and pull tight around the pots. Form another loop and then twist the end around the wire to close the circle.

Pop the mini planter pot into the beaded circle of wire to make sure the fit is fairly tight. Cut the excess wire with mini snips.

Attach the beaded wires onto the custom S-hooks. Then insert the notched end into one of the vent holes in the iron.

Plant your mini pots with either natural succulents or faux ones.

I found that I could comfortably fit three little plant pots into the rings on the iron plate. But depending on your own vintage iron, you may have more vent holes and be able to fit more.

I recommend gluing the beaded wire to the micro pots in at least two spots to keep them from slipping off accidentally, or in the wind.

The soleplate is now a display surface for miniature hanging pots, turning it into a home for succulents. Each tiny container is held by a ring of wire strung with seed beads (the same beads I used for another unique project; the adult bib).

These S-hooks were a little tricky to figure out how to make work with the steam holes, but I was so happy when they did! Our iron-turned-succulent planter looks so pretty on display in our rock garden. If you’d like to see more about our backyard transformation, check out these small backyard landscape ideas.

Caring for Your Succulents Indoors

Now that the weather is turning here to Fall, it's time to display this planter indoors. Just slip the micro pots off the S-hooks to water in a tray and return to the iron once drained.

You may think this succulent planter project is quirky, but wait until you this THIS polymer clay planter!

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