Welcome to a special edition of our Thrift Store Decor Team’s Repurposed Planter special! I chose to do a vintage toolbox planter using succulents! I really struggled with this month’s theme because I have already done so many repurposed planter ideas! But! I’ve never used a toolbox and succulents.
Be sure to see all the other great ideas at the end of this post.
Red Vintage Toolbox
I actually went to the garage looking for an enamel pan, but when I saw this vintage toolbox on the shelf, I knew it would be perfect for this challenge. As you can see it was quite dirty!
Always clean your thrift store projects
I sprayed it off with the hose. I chose NOT to paint it or remove the rust.
Add natural elements to vintage toolbox planter
To add some natural elements to my toolbox planter, I grabbed a rock and branch from the yard. I used a hammer to bust the pieces to make them smaller.
Shopping at Home Depot for Succulents
Lulu Mae and I headed to the Home Depot to shop for plants. I thought I would do succulents, but I wasn’t sure until I got there and looked around. These little guys were so cute, not as cute as Lulu though! She really didn’t want me to take her picture. 
Gather supplies for repurposed toolbox planter
Along with the succulents, I picked up some cactus potting mix at HD. Then we headed across the street to the Dollar Tree to get some rocks. I chose several faux succulents at the dollar tree in case I needed them to fill in.
Add rocks for drainage
These small white rocks were perfect for lining the bottom of the toolbox planter to aid in drainage. I used all three bags.
Add potting mix and succulents
It’s difficult to keep the soil off the leaves. If you have a tip for this, please share it with me! I have an answer to the problem after the fact, but I’ve never figured out how to keep the plants free of dirt as I’m planting them. You can see—I’m a messy gardener!
Related Content: Repurposed Shutter Vertical Garden
Leaf blower removes excess dirt from plant leaves
I have the leaf blower really close in this picture, but in reality I held it further away once I started blowing away the dirt from the leaves.
Vintage Metal Toolbox Planter with Succulents
So much better with all the excess dirt blown away! After the dirt was taken care of, I gave the planter a little drink.
Then I placed the toolbox planter on this cute little chair I got in the spring. It’s in perfect condition and the price was really good.
Display toolbox planter on metal chair
Do you think it needs something else? Or is it perfect? Would you have painted the toolbox?
You will be inspired by the creativity of my friends! Be sure to check out their ideas below!
Petticoat Junktion's DIY Tea Kettle Flower Pots
Refresh Restyle's Brass Plant Holder Idea
Domestically Speaking's Succulent Bird Bath
House Of Hawthornes' Colorful Bushel Basket Planter
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia's Succulent Bird Bath Planter
Our Southern Home's Decorative Potted Plant Finish
My Repurposed Life's Vintage Toolbox Planter
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Lisa M.
I use a small dry paint brush to clean the dirt off of the succulents when I am done. Works great! I do like the plastic bag idea though.
Gail Wilson
Lisa,
Using a small dry paint brush is a great idea!! I use one for lot's of other dusting ideas. I'll have to remember that suggestion. Thank you!
gail
Renee
This is such a great idea! I have LOADS of old, rusty tool boxes that are just taking up space. Now I have an idea what to do with them. The only thing I would do different, would be to add a few small holes in the bottom to help with drainage. We get a LOT of rain around here in the spring and they would be swamped without more drainage.
Love Lulu watching you as you take her picture...she is just adorable!!!
Gail Wilson
Awww, thank Renee! Lulu follows me everywhere. So happy I have inspired you to use your old rusty toll boxes that are just taking up space. Holes, definitely a good idea for drainage.
gail
Mose
I have an old toolbox that I've been wanting to plant also... how would I keep the lid from opening all the way? Mine opens to a larger than 180Ā° angle, so I'd need to find a way to prop it open so it doesn't look so overextended. Any thoughts??
Gail Wilson
My toolbox is the same way. That's why I have it resting on the chair. The back of the chair supports the lid of the toolbox. š
You could use a little chair or wire on either side to help support it and keep it from falling back too far.
gail
Stephanie
LulaMae is beautiful! Schnauzers are the BEST! I have a couple Smallwood tool boxes. One is the 1st aid kit and the other is my 1st tool box, which I've quickly grown out of!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Stephanie (about Lulu) She's actually a Schnoodle. Her mom is a Schnauzer and her dad is a poodle. Yes, we quickly outgrow our toolboxes eh?
gail
Terri
Love the tool box (and leaf blower - great idea to blow off deck after replanting). Question though. I live in NJ. Would the plantās winter okay here???
Gail Wilson
Terri,
I think you would definitely have to take them indoors for winter. My cousins plant succulents IN THE GROUND in Michigan and they survive, but I think I'll have to bring this planter indoors when freezing temps occur. There just isn't enough soil to protect the root system.
gail
Christy @ Our Southern Home
This is so pretty! I am so ready to create a succulent garden with a unique planter option. That tool box was the perfect vessel. What a cutie pooch you have there!!
houseofhawthornes
Your leaf blower idea is killing me! Love it and why did I never think of that before! Great use of a toolbox too!
Gail Wilson
hahah Pam! I use my leaf blower for so many things, I wrote a post about it! š
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/leaf-blower-clever-uses/
gail
Maryann
You're so smart - love that rustic toolbox with succulents! Perfect together!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Maryann.... It's looking better every day as the plants get bigger and fill out.
gail
Naomi Shelton
Gail, that rusty old tool box is a gem, especially with the succulents in it! I'm glad you didn't paint it or pretty it up. It looks great in all its rusty glory!
Gail Wilson
awww, thanks Naomi! I appreciate you taking the time to check it out and leave a comment!
gail
Betsey Makximenko
Put a plastic sandwich bag over the leaves of your plant while putting in the dirt. Once done just pull off the bags! No dirt on the leaves!
Gail Wilson
Awesome idea !!!
thanks so much for sharing.
gail
Kristin salazar
Lulu is so cute and I love how you transformed this tool box, so creative!
Gail Wilson
Thank you! She LOVES to go to the Home Depot!
gail
jamitysmom
It's perfect just the way it is! Great display on the cute little chair. I'm off to see if we have any old tool boxes in the basement, lol! Jan
Gail Wilson
thank you!!
I hope you found some old tool boxes!
gail
christinafayerepurposed
I love this Gail! And all that rusty goodness š
Gail Wilson
You're so kind Christina! Thank you! I've been camping, I need to check on it to make sure it survived a storm we had!
gail