Look, most online gardening hacks fall into one of three categories: wildly impractical, horribly complicated, or surprisingly expensive one. Turning an old colander into a hanging basket, though? That falls under the elusive fourth option: actually worth it!

I have been burned by many so-called hacks before, many times over, although that hasn't stopped me falling in love with the good ones (such as when I turned old teacups into bird feeders). And, when my mother-in-law told me she was growing flowers in an old colander, I’ll admit I was every bit as skeptical as I was curious.

Guess what? She's only gone and stumbled onto one of the few upcycling tricks that not only works brilliantly, but actually solves one of the biggest problems gardeners run into with traditional containers, too. Color me impressed.

Upcycling Your Old Colander

That's right; as colanders already come covered in drainage holes, they’re naturally suited to growing plants, especially summer bedding plants and trailing flowers that hate sitting in waterlogged compost.

Instead of drilling holes into old pots or worrying about soggy roots after heavy rain, the water simply drains straight through, which means most people who try this one wind up as lifelong converts. Heck, my mother-in-law hangs hers near the kitchen door every summer, and it somehow looks like one of those deliberately styled cottage garden arrangements you’d expect to see in a lifestyle magazine.

And yet, underneath all those flowers, it’s still just an old kitchen colander. Go figure.

The charm is partly in the contrast. Metal colanders (especially vintage or enamel ones) have a slightly rustic look that suits cottage gardens, patios, and small outdoor spaces surprisingly well. They’re also lightweight, which makes them easier to hang than heavier ceramic baskets.

Even plastic colanders work if they’re packed densely enough with plants, which is a plus for those of us who feel bad about throwing plastic tools out when they've done their duties in the kitchen.

If you want to try the idea for yourself in your own container garden, the process is refreshingly simple. Line the colander loosely with moss, coco liner, or even a bit of old burlap if the drainage holes are particularly large, then fill it with a good-quality potting mix.

After that, plant it exactly as you would a normal hanging basket. Voila!

Shop Hanging Basket Essentials:

Trailing plants tend to work best in an old colander hanging basket because they soften the edges quickly and create that abundant overflowing look; think petunias, bacopa, trailing verbena, ivy, and nasturtiums. You could even turn a colander into a herb basket near the kitchen door, and fill it with thyme, oregano, and trailing rosemary, all of which will appreciate the drainage.

The only downside is that containers with excellent drainage can dry out faster in hot weather, particularly in full sun. During heatwaves, my mother-in-law sometimes waters hers daily (using her rain barrel, worry not). Still, for something that started as an internet-style gardening hack, I’m genuinely impressed by how effective it is.

There’s something very satisfying about repurposing everyday household items in the garden instead of buying new things unnecessarily. Old colanders are surprisingly common in thrift stores, and slightly battered ones often look even better once planted up.

Honestly, I’m starting to understand why my mother-in-law won’t stop talking about hers.