DIY Upcycled Broken Pot Ideas

The first fatalities were these new pots discovered on my verandah broken into large pieces.

The culprit hasn’t owned up yet and I have both 2 and 4-legged suspects!

A few days later I found this expensive large pot under the tree …

I got a confession for this one – it was crushed by a falling branch = unprepared husband with chainsaw!!

And not to be outdone, our gorgeous but boisterous dog was busting to make an appointment with nature. She bolted out the front door and there was another fatality on the porch.

This aged but well travelled pot had made it through 4 house moves but couldn’t survive this one!

With a pile of cracked pots, I started to wonder: What exactly CAN you do with them? All that embodied energy seems to be such a waste.

After doing a little ‘digging’ I’ve realised broken pots may actually be an opportunity in disguise!

Upcycled Inspiration for Broken Pots

I’m always looking for ways to upcycle any resource that could still be useful. So I hope my ‘shattering’ story will inspire you to get creative when your pots or crockery get smashed. All is definitely not lost. They can still find a useful home in your garden – and sometimes in a way you least expect!

My first idea was to use one of the large pieces as a cachepot to hide an ugly black plastic pot. The terracotta was still half intact. A bit like those hospital gowns that look good from the front but are open at the back! … To disguise this one, I sat the pot inside and used the terracotta pot as a plant marker.

With this pot having lost the rim and back, I have used it as a decorative cachepot with dwarf seaside daisy that cascades over the edges to hide its true condition. It’s positioned against the wall on my plant trolley.

Should you use Broken Pot pieces as Drainage?

Like many gardeners, I used to add a layer of crocks, pot shards or gravel to the bottom of pots. I used to think this would help with drainage. However, there is scientific evidence that the practice of adding larger pieces actually slows down the water rather than helping it flow. The opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve.  Instead, there are many other uses for small broken pot clay shards.

Create an artistic garden feature

Use as a decorative feature around a collection of pots or plants

Via Flea Market Gardening

Small pieces can be used as a protective moisture holding decorative mulch in your planters. Helpful for keeping animals & birds out too.

Via Garden Gate Notes

Another way I have used smaller broken pot shards is as DIY plant labels. You can use a wax pencil to write on them, stick on letters or add a little paint.

Turn it into unique garden art like this bird’s nest. Add some moss or paint the inside green and add some pebbles, statue or other objects that take your fancy to create the look you want.

Via Crinkle Crankle

Another way to use large curved pieces is garden edging for small spaces.

Large matching pottery pieces have been used for great effect as partly buried & planted pathway edging

If you have children or grandchildren, try creating miniature garden art or fairy gardens for kids just for fun! Imaginative play and connecting to nature is so important in the development of our children.

A rustic combination with this weathered chair and pot plant collection.

Ornamentals and edibles like thyme and oregano make attractive ground covers and succulents need minimal care.

A very creative miniature garden design with steps, moss, succulents and even tiny furniture!

If you’re inspired to create a miniature pot garden, check out this tutorial for the basic steps to get you started.

Click below for miniature garden accessories for your creations

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Mini pots & pieces add interest to this old metal wash basin planter

Succulents are superb choices for broken pot micro gardens. They are low maintenance and can fit in tiny spaces with minimal water needs. Here’s some more inspiration:

Nestled inside this large chipped pot is a miniature garden with many pots & pieces

Via Dotty Pants 

A simple succulent garden in mini pots stacked inside an upcycled pot.

Via Dishfunctional Designs

Reuse part of your broken pots if they still have some useful planting spaces.

The top of this strawberry planter could still be salvaged.

How about a little plant protection?

Broken pot ‘collar’ to protect a tender seedling or young tree from pets or animals

With a little imagination broken pot pieces can also provide habitat for garden creatures and beneficial insects.

A piece of terracotta has been painted with ‘Lizards home’ – a cool retreat up against the rock. Adds colour & is a fun idea for kid’s gardens.

Or perhaps if you have a little patience, try creating an Insect Hotel. Accommodation for beneficial insects like solitary bees and wasps that pollinate your food crops and flowers.

Even a simple upturned pot can provide a safe haven for frogs or lizards seeking shelter and helps keep your garden in balance as they keep your insect population in check.

And, if you’re a little crafty … you might be able to use broken crockery as well as pots in your garden.

Repurpose broken and mismatched pots to make a terracotta mosaic pumpkin

Tutorial via CraftsnCoffee

Upcycle broken pieces into a work of art mosaic pot!

Tutorial via Red Book Mag

Repurpose your broken glass stemware as an outdoor citronella candle holder to keep bugs away!

Or you may just decide to set up a garden graveyard for your pots and enjoy them as a collection!

Clay pot resting place … adds a little humour and garden art.

Via Gardens Inspired

5 Ways to Disguise Chipped, Cracked or Broken Pot Edges

• Create a spill pot by growing trailing plants to cascade down the sides or out the front of a pot laid on its side.

Many businesses have the problem of getting rid of ‘waste’ when this may be your solution to free garden art materials!

Why not contact your local pottery centre, nursery, craft supplies, landscape yard or outdoor living stores? You’re sure to pick up some pieces.

Click below for miniature garden accessories for your creations

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So between four-legged culprits and power tool wielding husbands, I’m resigned to the fact there will be more cracked pots around here. But at least I have discovered some creative ideas for how to repurpose them in my garden. So, next time a pot breaks – an accident, the wind, freezing temperatures, a boisterous animal, kids (or husbands) – I hope you have some inspiration too! I’d love to know how you upcycle broken pots at your place. So please share your tips and ideas in the comments.

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© Copyright Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener 2016. https://themicrogardener.com. All rights reserved.