Use these ideas to turn a favorite old watering can into a flower planter or garden art. Old metal watering cans and kettles are perfect for one-of-a-kind garden decorations.
You can also find instructions for making a Garden Art Watering Can with Faux Spilling Water here.

Watering Can Garden Art Ideas

Have a look at these ideas for turning watering cans into garden art. Many gardeners love old galvanized watering cans just as they are. Others can be painted to suit your garden and planted with colorful annuals or decorated with faux water sprays using old lamp crystals or beads.
Display a Collection

Old wooden ladders have lots of uses in the garden from trellis to displaying favorite garden art. And the more paint splatters, the better!
You can find an entire gallery of garden art ladder ideas here.

Is it possible to collect watering cans without ever paying more than $5 per can? So far, so good.
Fence Decorations
This next one is from my old garden.

Old window frames make wonderful garden art. Here I’ve added a hayrack with petunias, moon art, and an old watering can with faux water spray.

The great thing about garden art is you can change it up whenever you want and move things around.

Whatever you do, don’t throw out an old galvanized watering can. They last for years as art.
Spilling Crystals
My favorite watering cans are the older ones made from galvanized metal as well as newer ones painted in clear, bright colors.

If a watering can is really well designed, I’ll actually use it to water plants (crazy, I know), but any other odd ones are perfect for garden art projects.
And don’t worry if they have holes in the bottom—those ones make great planters for flowering annuals that need drainage.

Using the crystal idea, just one large faux crystal makes a beautiful water drop.



If you vary the length of the wires, it gives a good spilling effect.
Mosaic Art

This mosaic watering can is so beautifully done.
Watering Can Planters

Add a pot of flowers to a watering can and add it to the garden. Easy!

This white watering can could be painted, mosaic-ed, decoupaged, or simply used as a planter like you see here.

Succulents! Again, no need to put potting mix directly in a watering can. Instead, insert a same-size flowerpot with drainage holes.

This is a vintage oil pouring can. I also found this old Amish lunch box and planted it with pansies.

I love this blue color. Look how it makes the heuchera foliage stand out. If you love color, have a look at these gardens using blue as a theme color.

This green watering can is in my garden. The paint started peeling so I retired it to a life of art.
Garden Décor

Potting tables are one of my favorite garden art display areas.
I love the combination of function and beauty.
Love or hate them, the gnomes rule the garden.

Don’t let those gnomes lounge around all day! Put them to work watering plants.
Join Us

Get your free creative gardening newsletter by email every two weeks
More Watering Can Planters

I love the red chair with the simple watering can and greenery. Perfection!

A shepherd’s hook work nicely for displaying colorful watering cans like this red one. The pictures is not great but you get the idea.

Watering Can Fountain
This next one is a watering can fountain I rigged up for a fairy garden. The water pours out onto the stones which hide a little reservoir and pump.

I made a custom watering can by adding a made-up Empress of Dirt brand label.

The name Melissa means honey bee so it seemed fitting.

And finally, keep your watering can art year-round. It can look dazzling in the winter sun.

Resources
Ebook

25 Garden Art Projects & Ideas
by Melissa J. Will
Grab the top garden art DIY projects and tips from Empress of Dirt
About This Ebook | Visit Ebook Shop
This ebook is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device. It is not a physical product.
PayPal, Credit Card, Apple Pay
Garden Planner

Empress of Dirt
Printable Garden Planner & Notes
An assortment of basic garden checklists, undated calendars, and note pages for planning and tracking your gardening season.
About The Planner | Visit Ebook Shop
This is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device to print as much as you like for your own personal use. It is not a physical product.
PayPal, Credit Card, or Apple Pay
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛