If you're looking for an affordable way to grow plants indoors or out, there are plenty of things you probably already own that make great alternatives to planters. All sorts of everyday objects can be modified slightly to make a great place for your plants to put down roots. The following article lists ideas for alternative planters that you can find in your kitchen or garage.
When it comes to growing plants indoors, the biggest headache is always drainage. It's unhealthy to grow your plants in containers without drainage holes, but most drip trays look hideous and clash with interior decor. If you make your own teacup planter, however, all you'll need is a matching saucer for a cute-as-a-button drip tray. Just choose a teacup and a matching saucer, then use a masonry bit to drill a hole in the cup's bottom. Use gentle pressure when drilling to avoid cracking the cup.
Used coffee cans make excellent planters. Plus, if there are a few extra coffee grounds left inside, they'll give your plants a healthy dose of nitrogen. Simply drill or poke holes in the bottom of any sized coffee can, then fill with soil and plants. Or, if you don't want to drill holes in the can, you can line the bottom inch or two with rocks or pebbles, though you will need to water the plants less frequently to prevent root rot.
Cat litter containers make excellent planters, and they can even be painted for a more decorative touch. You can utilize larger cat litter containers as planters by removing the lid, drilling holes in the bottom and filling with soil and plants. For smaller containers, you can use a precision knife to cut the top off of the container, then fill the bottom section with soil and plants.