Candles that come in a container are a convenient and safe way to have a flame burning in the home. What do you do with the container once the candle has burnt away? You can make a planter from a candle; all it takes is a little time and costs almost nothing.
Placing plants in a candle holder is a decorative, DIY solution for a planter. Learn how to grow a plant in a candle jar for a unique potting solution.
Starting a DIY Candle Planter
Candle jar planters are a neat way to use up leftover containers after all the wax has burned away. A DIY candle planter is a pretty solution for using up the holder and just needs a few touches to really make it special. Growing plants in a candle holder is a unique way to repurpose a used object and gives you the opportunity to put your own personality on the container.
The first thing you need to do is clean out any old wax. You can do this in one of two ways. First, freeze the container and then chip out the old wax. Or you can place the container in warm water and once the wax has melted, pour out the remainder.
Once you have a clean vessel, you need to consider drainage in order to successfully grow a plant in a candle jar. If the container is metal, you can drill holes in the bottom. However, many candle holders are ceramic or glass. These will likely break if you try to drill holes. They will be useful for low moisture plants like cacti and other succulents.
Decorating Candle Jar Planters
The fun part about making a planter from a candle is you can personalize it. If you are making little planters for an event, make sure they match the rest of the décor. Little plants in candle holders make perfect guest gifts for weddings or any other event.
You can use a hot glue gun and attach rope around the holder, glue on faux flowers, or anything else you might think of. A container rolled in glitter, gravel, or other textured material makes an interesting look. Your local craft store will have loads of options for décor.
Let your decorations set before you attempt to plant. For planters that will not have drainage holes, put a thick layer of perlite at the bottom of the container before you plant.
Plants for a Candle Holder Planter
Once you have your container decorated, fill one third of the way with planting soil. Your selection of plants should take into consideration how large they will grow. Herbs, succulents, small bromeliads, ivy, and annual flowering plants are some suggestions. DIY candle planters are also perfect for trailing plants. You can also use them as rooting containers with cuttings from your favorite house plants.
Be careful if you are using potting mixture in a container with no drainage. Check manually to see where the soil moisture level is before watering, lest plants become too wet. With a little imagination, little candle holder planters will brighten your house or event.