Upcycled plant decor isn’t just stylish—it’s a wellness practice. Research shows that interacting with houseplants can lower cortisol levels, improve concentration, and lift your mood. Beyond the science, there’s something deeply soothing about nurturing a bit of greenery indoors. As the indoor plant market blooms—valued at $6.6 billion in North America as of 2024—we’re also seeing a shift toward more sustainable, personal ways to bring nature inside.
That’s where upcycled plant decor comes in. Combining creativity, conscious design, and wellness, upcycled plant decor invites you to style your space with intention while giving old materials new life. Whether you’re working with a cozy apartment or a spacious home, these inventive ideas will help you create a vibrant indoor garden that supports both the planet and your peace of mind.
Bringing Upcycled Plant Decor Into Your Space
Houseplants do more than just look good. They clean the air, elevate your mood, and transform the energy of a room. But how you display them can be just as impactful as the plants themselves. Think beyond basic terracotta pots and imagine greenery tucked into vintage tins, trailing from reclaimed wood shelves, or growing out of old teapots. Upcycled plant decor turns your home into a living gallery—one that tells your story and champions sustainability.
Where to Buy What You Need
Creating a beautiful, thriving indoor jungle starts with sourcing great plants and stylish accessories. If you’re looking for high-quality greenery and all the essentials, these online shops have you covered.
Plants by Mail offers a wide variety of plants—from flowering perennials to edible herbs—alongside garden tools and detailed care guides. Everything arrives carefully packaged and ready to flourish.
The Sill is perfect for indoor plant lovers. Their curated selection comes with chic planters and step-by-step care instructions. Bonus: their online workshops and care library make plant parenting a breeze.
Bloomscape delivers lush, mature plants right to your door. With pet-friendly picks, statement pieces, and expert customer support, they make it easy to green up your home, even if you’re just getting started.
Where to Source Materials for Upcycled Plant Decor
To give your upcycled plant decor a one-of-a-kind twist, start with materials that already have a story. Thrift stores are gold mines for ceramic bowls, vintage pitchers, and old wooden crates. Flea markets often have wrought iron stands, metal buckets, or unique containers begging for a second life. Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups are perfect for sourcing larger pieces like side tables or shelving that you can modify into living displays. And don’t overlook your own recycling bin—a cleaned-out candle jar or chipped mug could be the start of something beautiful.
Upcycled Vertical Plant Walls: A Living Piece of Art
If you want a high-impact way to showcase your plants, look up. Vertical plant walls make a bold statement and double as natural air purifiers. For an upcycled plant decor spin, use an old wooden pallet, chicken wire, or salvaged shutters as your frame. Add planting fabric or repurposed pockets from old jeans to hold your greenery. Choose plants like ferns, pothos, or succulents that thrive with minimal fuss and add texture to your wall.
Hanging Gardens with Upcycled Macramé and Floating Shelves
Harness vertical space without overwhelming your floor. Hanging gardens made with macramé or repurposed textiles create movement and softness. Combine them with floating shelves made from reclaimed wood to build layered, light-filled displays. Play with planter shapes and heights to keep the eye moving. Whether you hang them by a sunlit window or in a forgotten corner, these upcycled plant decor setups turn empty air into green magic.
Repurposed Containers as Upcycled Plant Decor
This is where upcycled plant decor really shines. Old teapots, soup cans, mason jars, or even a pair of rain boots can become eye-catching planters. Look for containers with personality and don’t be afraid to mix styles. Add drainage holes if needed and line the bottom with pebbles or broken terracotta pieces. The result is a collection of vessels that feel playful, nostalgic, and uniquely yours.
Built-In Planters for Seamless Upcycled Integration
If you’re renovating or building, consider incorporating planters right into the architecture. A kitchen island with a built-in herb trough. A staircase with tucked-in greenery along the risers. Even a bedside table with an inset planter. Upcycled wood, vintage tiles, or salvaged stone can add character and reduce waste. These integrated touches make upcycled plant decor feel like an essential part of the design rather than an afterthought.
Aquatic Plant Decor with Upcycled Glassware
Water-rooted plants offer a soothing, spa-like vibe. Place lucky bamboo or peace lilies in clear glass vases filled with stones or marbles. You can even repurpose glass kitchen containers or candle holders for this. The combination of water, light, and living greenery creates a calming energy ideal for bathrooms, entryways, or work-from-home corners. This form of upcycled plant decor plays with transparency and simplicity.
Upcycled Mini Indoor Greenhouses and Terrariums
Terrariums and tabletop greenhouses let you create lush little worlds inside your home. Use old fishbowls, lanterns, or cloches from thrift shops to build them. Layer in pebbles, activated charcoal, moss, and soil for a self-sustaining ecosystem. Choose humidity-loving plants like air plants, baby ferns, or fittonia. These setups are great for small spaces and bring a sense of quiet magic to any shelf or tabletop. Plus, they’re a perfect example of upcycled plant decor in action.
Bookshelf Botanicals: Upcycled Green Corners
Bookshelves aren’t just for books. Weave in trailing plants, upright growers, and lush foliage to soften hard lines and bring movement to your display. Repurpose jars, bowls, or painted tins as pots to tie your plants into the rest of your decor. Use a mix of heights, textures, and pot styles to create a living vignette that reflects your personality and supports your well-being. Bookshelves become showcases for upcycled plant decor, turning functional furniture into green sanctuaries.
Final Thoughts
Upcycled plant decor is more than just a trend. It’s a way to merge beauty, sustainability, and wellness in your everyday environment. By choosing to repurpose instead of purchase new, you’re not only reducing waste—you’re creating a home that feels thoughtful, alive, and uniquely you. As biophilic and sustainable design continues to influence interiors, integrating greenery in imaginative, reclaimed ways helps your space breathe a little easier.
