Plastic bottles are usually seen as something to throw away, but with a little creativity, they can become useful and beautiful crafts like this DIY pig planter for your garden. Plastic bottles are one of the most popular materials for upcycled crafts because these are easy to find, versatile, lightweight, and surprisingly sturdy. Did I mention plastic bottle crafts are FREE? Instead of adding another bottle to the trash, why not turn it into something you can actually enjoy?

For this project, I decided to transform an empty plastic gallon into a cute DIY pig planter. Since I love gardening and adding handmade pieces around my garden, this felt like the perfect way to reuse an old container while creating something fun and practical. The best part is that this upcycled planter is much easier to make than it looks. The process may seem like a lot at first, but each step slowly brings the cute pig design to life.

Here’s another DIY Planter to try : Upcycled DIY Light Bulb Mini Planter Tutorial

The final result is honestly worth the effort because this plastic bottle planter turns into such an adorable garden addition. The large gallon size also gives your plants plenty of space to grow, making it perfect for flowers, herbs, or other small plants. You can paint it in any color you like and customize the details to match your garden style.

What makes this DIY plastic bottle planter even more fun is making a whole collection. Imagine having a few pig planters lined up around your yard or garden in different colors, each holding your favorite plants. It’s a creative way to recycle, save money, and add a handmade touch to your outdoor space.

How to Make a Pig Planter
Pro Tips 💡
Must-Try Crafts:
DIY Pig Planter Video Tutorial

How to Make a Pig Planter

Step 1: Cut the Plastic Gallon

Before starting, remove the label from the plastic gallon. Decide how large you want the planter opening to be, then mark the area you will cut. Carefully cut out the opening using a cutter or scissors, and smooth out any sharp or rough edges for a safer finish.
Step 2: Prepare the Plastic Bottles

Get four smaller plastic bottles and remove their labels. Clean off any leftover adhesive or sticky residue from the surface to make sure the bottles are ready for the next steps.
Step 3: Cut the Bottle Necks

Mark each bottle around the neck area as shown in the video, or adjust the length depending on how tall you want the pig planter’s feet to be. Keep in mind that the cap area will serve as the pig’s hooves. Carefully cut along the marked line, then set aside the upper parts of the bottles to use as the planter’s feet. Save the remaining bottle pieces for later use.
Step 4: Create the Ears

Take the bottle pieces set aside earlier and draw the shape of the pig’s ears. Carefully cut along the outline, then smooth out any rough or sharp edges to create a clean finish.
Step 5: Make the Tail

Take another leftover plastic bottle piece and cut it from the edge in a spiral pattern to create the tail. Smooth out any rough edges, then use a pen or marker to curl and shape the tail. You can also gently pull the spiral apart to adjust the length and create the desired shape.
Step 6: Attach the feet

Using hot glue, attach the pig’s feet along the bottom of the gallon, right below the planter opening. Reinforce the sides of each foot with extra glue to make sure they are securely attached and won’t fall off. Let the glue dry completely before moving on to the next steps.
Step 7: Apply Primer and Paint

Apply primer paint all over the pig planter, including the caps and the areas between the bottles and caps, to create an even white base and cover any visible gaps. Let it dry completely, then apply another coat if needed. Once the primer is fully dry, paint the planter with your chosen color. Add a second coat if necessary, making sure to let each layer dry completely before applying the next one.
Step 8: Add the Pig Details and Finish the Planter

Hot glue two black half beads onto the cap of the gallon to create the pig’s nose. Attach the googly eyes and secure the tail on the opposite end of the planter. Once finished, place your chosen flower or plant inside the planter and display it in your yard or garden.

Note: If you want a lighter planter or don’t want to fill it with too much soil, insert a piece of cardboard inside to reduce the space and keep the soil level halfway or centered.

Materials

Plastic Gallon, for the body
Plastic Bottles, for the feet
Paint, acrylic or spray
Cutter
Googly Eyes
Primer Paint
Black Half Beads
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Pro Tips 💡

Apply primer first before painting the plastic gallon to help the paint stick better and last longer
Use lightweight soil or add a filler inside the planter if you want to make it easier to move around
Customize your pig planter with different colors and designs to create a cute collection for your garden