Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Turn $2 Lowe’s Mini Buckets into the Cutest DIY Planters and Gifts
If you love budget DIY projects, you’re going to adore this adorable idea using the tiny buckets from Lowe's. These $2 mini buckets are one of the cutest craft finds for turning into mini planters, gift baskets, and seasonal decor. With just a few supplies, you can transform these little buckets into thoughtful gifts, Easter baskets, party favors, herb planters, and holiday treats.
Whether you’re making spring decor, teacher gifts, or sweet baskets for Easter or flowers for Mother's Day, these tiny buckets are surprisingly versatile.
Let’s look at how to make them—and some creative ways to use them.
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Creative Ways to Use Lowe’s Mini Buckets
These little buckets are so cute that once you start using them, you’ll find endless ways to turn them into gifts or decor. I stocked up with buying 5 because you never know when you will have a small gift to give and these buckets make the cutest gift packaging. They are FOOD SAFE too, something to look for on all containers you give food gifts in.
The fresh herbs I like are mint, basil and rosemary
Why These $2 Buckets Are So Popular
There are a few reasons these mini buckets are trending with DIY lovers:
✔ Extremely affordable and just plain cute!
✔ Easy beginner craft
✔ Perfect for gifting
✔ Customizable for every holiday
✔ Great for plants or treats
Plus, they look adorable in farmhouse, cottagecore, and spring decor styles.
I love the pink bucket for a larger DIY planter idea
1. Mother’s Day Flower Pot Gifts
Mini bucket flower pots make sweet, affordable gifts for moms, grandmas, teachers, and neighbors. See my herb planter idea guide below in this article for details on how to drill holes in the buckets for drainage.
Ideas:
Plant mini roses or daisies
Add a “Best Mom Ever” tag
Tie pastel ribbon around the handle and add some replanting tips
You can even make a gift set of three tiny planters for a charming windowsill garden. Add a plastic water saucer so they can be watered easily without ruining furniture.
The large PINK bucket I found at Lowe’s will make a larger planter and is super fun!
We loved our KOKEDAMA as a cute live plant gift idea. See my KOKEDAMA tutorial here or below in my 1-minute video via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
2. Mini Easter Candy Buckets
These tiny buckets are perfect for Easter candy baskets for friends and coworkers.
Fill them with:
Jelly beans
Mini marshmallow treats
A small plush bunny or reversible plush toy
Finish them with pastel ribbon and a name tag for an adorable desk surprise.
Rosemary is a great herb for chicken!
3. Fresh Herb (or Flower) Planters
Create a mini kitchen herb garden with these buckets. This is the way I used some of my mini-buckets and are perfect gifts for the cook in your life.
Perfect herbs include:
Basil
Mint
Parsley
Thyme
Chives
Add a small funny wood plant marker or chalk label so each herb is easy to identify.
These make fantastic housewarming gifts too.
Drilling holes allows for drainage
How to Make Bucket Planters (for mini or large buckets)
Supplies
$2 teal mini bucket from Lowe's OR I love the large pink bucket at Lowe’s too for a larger bucket planter creation
Small plant or succulent or fresh herbs (these are the herbs I bought)
Small rocks or pebbles
Drill or nail (for drainage hole)
Optional: ribbon, paint, tags, or stickers,
Missed the Lowe’s mini buckets? That’s okay! Try these colorful mini buckets instead.
I turned three into planters
Check out my 1-minute video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here and to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
Instructions
Add drainage
Carefully drill or punch a small hole in the bottom of the bucket.Create a base layer
Add a small layer of pebbles or rocks to help with drainage. This isn’t necessary, but helpful if you don’t plan to replant the herbs or flowers.Add soil
Fill the bucket halfway with potting soil. The herbs I had were already the perfect size and plopped right into the buckets, so I didn’t need any extra soil.Plant your greenery
Add a small plant, succulent, or herb and fill around it with soil.Decorate the bucket
Tie ribbon around the handle, add a cute tag, or paint the bucket for a personalized look.
That’s it! In just a few minutes you have a tiny planter that looks like a boutique gift.
4. Succulent Gift Buckets
Succulents look incredibly cute in mini metal buckets. This set of succulents from Amazon would be perfect and is budget friendly!
Why people love them:
Easy to care for
Long lasting
Stylish decor
Add white rocks or moss on top of the soil for a finished look.
The teal color of the buckets is so cute!
5. Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Write messages like:
“Thanks for helping me grow!”
“Best teacher ever!”
Fill the bucket with:
Flowers or fresh herbs
Candy
Gift cards (these are THE BEST gift, and I know because I was a teacher for over 10 years, Amazon gift cards rock!)
It’s a simple but thoughtful gift teachers love.
6. Party Favor Buckets
Mini buckets are perfect for:
Baby showers
Garden parties
Wedding
Birthday parties
Fill them with candy, succulents, or candles for adorable take-home favors.
My mini herb garden
7. Desk Organizer Buckets
Use them for tiny storage on a desk.
Great for:
Paper clips
Pens
Hair ties
Craft supplies like paint brushes
Add labels to keep everything organized.
8. Mini Garden Starter Kits
Turn the bucket into a tiny garden kit.
Add:
Seed packets
Small plant marker
These are fun gifts for kids, gardeners, and coworkers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cute DIY gift that costs just a few dollars, these mini buckets from Lowe's are a perfect place to start. From mini herb planters and succulent gifts to Easter candy baskets and Mother’s Day flower pots, the possibilities are endless.
Once you make one, you’ll probably want to make a whole collection for every season.
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, then we know you’ll love this one too: DIY Wedding Flowers on a Budget: How I Made My Own Centerpieces
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.