This year, thanks to my garden expanding at a rapid pace due to the unseasonably warm weather, I am swamped with fresh herbs. Some of my beds were beginning to become crowded and taller plants were overshadowing the smaller ones. I knew I needed to do something quickly. After browsing around Pinterest for ideas, I found a bird bath made from urns. I decided to adapt the idea and make it into a DIY Flower Pot Solar Light Planter. I knew it would be a cute addition to my patio or front porch so I got to work. It turned out to be super cute and easy to make.
How to Make a DIY Flower Pot Solar Light Planter
I had planned to purchase urns to make the planter, but no one in our area sold them. Instead, I purchased four flower pots, one small, two medium and one large. I also needed spray paint suitable for outdoors, potting soil and plants. I chose a seashell blue color for the paint because it matched my patio, but any color will work. Choose your favorite! I also spray painted the solar light so it would match.
Because I have indoor cats who sometimes try to make a break for outdoors and rabbits who sometimes decide to dig under their fences, I wanted pet safe plants. I’ve included a list of cat-friendly plants below. (If you have pets make sure to choose a nontoxic potting soil, glue, and paint as well.)
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1: I began by drilling holes in the bottom of the flower pots for drainage. This is an important step so don’t skip it! If you have a lot of rain you will have drowned plants.
Step 2: Spray paint the pots any color you like and allow them to dry. Or, if you don’t want to paint the pots, just leave them their natural color.
Step 3: Once the pots are dry, fill the large pot with potting soil. Carefully place the medium pot in the center of the large pot.
Step 4: Fill the medium pot with potting soil. Place the small pot into the center of the medium pot, carefully pressing down to hold it in place. Add your favorite plants, being careful not to overcrowd the plants.
Step 5: Add a solar light to the center of the smallest pot. I pushed the light down into the soil so only the top was visible.
Step 6: Add flowers to the pots. I used a mixture of purple, lime, and traditional basil, along with dill and rosemary plants. I placed 4 plants in the largest pot and three plants in both the medium and small pots.
Step 7: Turn the remaining medium sized pot upside down and superglue the large pot to the bottom of the medium pot. Allow the glue to dry before moving the fixture.
Plants That Are Safe For Cats:
- Basil
- Dill
- Rosemary
- Zinnia
- Gerber Daisies
- Boston Fern
- Lemon Button or Duffy Fern
- American Rubber Plant
- Prayer Plant
By now you probably know how much I love my cats and other pets. They are like little family members. Naturally, I want what is best for them. But, I also like things to be convenient for me. If you’ve ever cleaned out multiple litter boxes, you know that is a chore. It can be smelly and lugging all the litter around can get heavy. If you haven’t tried Tidy Cats LightWeight with Glade Tough Odor Solutions Clean Blossom Litter, you need too. It works just like traditional Tidy Cats litter with the easy clumping and scooping, but it’s lightweight. That’s right. Eight and 1/2 pounds of Tidy Cats LightWeight with Glade Tough Odor Solutions Clean Blossom works as well as 20 pounds of regular clumping litter. 
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Now this is a cool project. I wish I was a garden person!
I love to do projects like this. I will have to look at making one for my front steps.
What a great idea! It came out beautiful!
This is creative. I love how herbs are grown in one of them.
Oh my goodness!! I love this idea so much! Great way to make those lights look prettier!
Really cool idea of having a solar powered lamp in a tower planter. That would really illuminate any garden or walk way. Economical too, because it is solar powered.
Oh my lands, this is adorable! I’ve been telling my husband we needed a unique way to light the backyard.
This is so super cute! What a great idea, would love to have it in my backyard for our bbq’s it would be a super cute addition to the yard!
This solar light is a great idea! I’m sure it’s going to be a nice addition to the garden. Thanks for the instructions. We have two cats at home and I definitely want to try that litter!
This is an awesome DIY. I want to do this at home too. Love it. What an ingenious idea!
That is a nice planter that we could place strategically in the garden or yard that would need some lighting at night. The solar powered bulb is a good idea!
What a great idea. I’m trying to figure out how to decorate my yard. We live in the desert, so I’m not sure we could do flowers…and it’s so darned windy it would blow this flowerpot over. But I’ll keep watching for ideas I can adapt
What a decor for garden, would love to indulge myself in an activity like that. DIY things have been a source of exploring my creativity always. thanks for the article.
Solar technology is really evolving for consumer applications. Isn’t it nice to be able to do cool diy garden lighting projects that don’t require cords and electrical outlets!
This looks like a great project! My boys would surely love doing this. Great post.
What an awesome idea! I am a huge sucker for fun DIY’s like this (and I love that it’s solar powered!). What a fun way to spruce up a garden.
This is such a cute DIY project to freshen up the garden! Way too cute.
I love the look of this flower planter. I will have to get the supplies I need to make one this weekend for my yard.
Fun idea for a desert dweller like myself. Actual gardens are nearly impossible here. I appreciate those pet safe plant suggestions too!
What a good idea! I see these lights everywhere and this is a good use for them!
Well this is simple enough to make. I have flower pot. Need paint all the rest stuff. Turned out really nice
What a super cute idea. I’ve got to get all of the supplies and try this planter. I love that it has a solar light too.
Wow, I just love this idea! We use Tidy Cats as well–I have two cats, and they like to try and stink up the house.
I wish I could grow herbs outside! In the meantime, this solar attachment at the top is brilliant! And knowing what is harmful to your cat is something I would never have even thought of, thanks!
I love growing herbs and this is a great way to add to my herb garden! Colorful pots would add a great pop of color to my herb garden.
Ohh I hadn’t thought of using herbs in one what an amazing idea, definitely going to add on to my garden too.
I must do this! I love to grow herbs, and with the limited space in our back yard, a planter like this is great.
That planter looks so great! I love the design, and it’s perfect for anyone with limited space.
What an absolutely fantastic idea, isn’t Pinterest great for inspiration as well. I may need to make some of these for my own garden.
Oh yeah, I get most of my ideas on Pinterest. There are so many clever people out there who pin their stuff 🙂
That came out great! I love that you added a little solar light up at the top – what an awesome idea.