Ikea Hack Faux Hanging Planter

I have come to a realization. It’s something I’d rather not admit….

I have a horrible track record with keeping indoor plants alive. There is only one indoor plant I haven’t managed to kill off.  I don’t want to jinx anything, but I think after 10 years, we’ve hopefully got a good thing going and I can depend on him to stick around. In fact, in honor of our ten year plant-iversary, I think this plant deserves a name….

Any suggestions? I was thinking something that would convey strength, steadiness, and loyalty. That’s not too much to hope for in a plant’s name, right? (Ha!)

Hercules? No, too “flashy”…

I’ll give it some thought. Let me know if you have any good suggestions! (This is important stuff here folks! Ha!) 

Anyway, since I’ve “come to terms” with my ability, or lack there of, to keep things alive (ahem, plant species, specifically), I have embraced faux plants. There are SO many nice ones these days! 

About 6 months ago I discovered the faux plant department at IKEA. Ironically, the (real) plant that I have been able to keep alive (you know, currently known as”Mr. No-Name”) came from IKEA too. So, I knew they had real plants, but hadn’t really paid much attention to the FAKE ones.

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IKEA Trip Anyone?

We went on an impromptu trip to Ikea this past weekend to return some things that we didn’t end up needing for the $100 Room Challenge laundry room. (It you haven’t seen the before pictures, gulp, they are here.) Anyway, what’s a girl to do after she drives 2 hours to do a return? Look around the store of course! 

My first stop whenever we go to IKEA is to check out their “as-is” section. We have a buffet in our dining room that came from here, along with a small bookshelf. This time, I looked more carefully in a section I usually don’t give much attention to: the “handy person corner”. (Not joking, that’s really what it’s called! Here’s photographic proof.)

While perusing, I came across a cabinet door with a gray/tan wood-look finish. Guys, it was only $1.90! I have used cabinet doors for other projects (here and here), so at that price (even though I wasn’t exactly sure what I would do with it), I couldn’t leave it behind! 

While I was looking at some faux rosemary plants (while trying to buy time with our toddler by giving him a bag of veggie straws and a pack of fruit snacks-don’t judge, sometimes it’s survival mode), Jason spotted tin pots for $0.49 each. 

He had what I can only describe as an “Ikea epiphany”.  (Does that place inspire you too? Do you think they pump some sort of scent through the air vents?).

His idea? A hanging planter using the cabinet door I had just found, 2 faux rosemary plants ($4.99 each) and 2 small tin pots ($0.49 each). If you’ve been keeping track, that would make this wall hanging $12.86. Not too shabby!) 

I was excited to get home and get it made! And also test out to see if using a glue gun to attach the pots would work. 

Making the Faux Planter

Gather materials:

• faux plants
• tin plant pots
• cabinet door
• glue gun
• pencil (Go for the Ferrari of the pencil world; seriously the best pencils ever!)
• tape measure

Easy Does It

1. Measure to find the middle of the cabinet door.
2. Mark where the top and bottom of the pot are and use a level to make a straight line. 
3. Apply hot glue liberally along the line you just drew. (There is a slight gap between the door and the pot, so make that line a thick one.)
4. Carefully (depending on your glue gun), press the pot down so it comes into contact with the hot glue. If it isn’t too hot, you might want to stick your hand inside the pot and press down that way. (Remember-be safe!) 
5. Follow steps above to adhere your other pot. 
6. Let the glue harden for a few minutes before placing your faux plants in the pots. 

Your DIY Planter is DONE! 

I used Command Hooks (I heart these little suckers!) to hang our new planter up in the kitchen. Seemed like a good place for rosemary to be. Both the hot glue and command hooks are holding strong (literally).

All hail the glue gun, the hard working tool for the DIY , craft lovin’ gal!  

How are you with keeping indoor plants alive, friend? It’s kind of nice to know that these little plants will stay green regardless of who their owner is…(the identity of the “owner” is unimportant).

[Update: Click to see how we made the kitchen chalkboard that I LOVE. And Our counters in our kitchen look a lot different now.]