Looking for an easy way to add a touch of whimsy to your garden? Learn how to turn a vintage birdcage into a charming DIY birdcage planter using moss, potting soil, and a few of your favorite plants. This project is a beautiful way to give an old treasure new life and add cottage charm to your outdoor space.
On my blog WM Design House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Read my full disclosure policy here.
How to Turn a Vintage Birdcage into a Whimsical Garden Planter
I have always loved giving vintage treasures a second life in the garden. There is something magical about taking a piece that has been forgotten and turning it into something beautiful and unexpected.
A vintage birdcage might be my favorite find yet. With its pretty scrollwork and aged patina, it was practically begging to be filled with flowers and tucked into the garden.
The Handcrafted Society
The Handcrafted Society is back today, and we’re so excited to share our creative projects with you.
This month’s theme is “A Whimsical Garden,” and it’s one of my absolute favorites! As many of you know, I love spending time in the garden and incorporating vintage finds into my outdoor spaces. I can’t wait for you to see what everyone has created. Each project is beautiful, creative, and full of whimsical garden inspiration.
At the end of this post, you’ll find links to all of the other Handcrafted Society projects. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to visit each one and see the wonderful whimsical garden projects everyone created.
Where to Find a Vintage Birdcage
You don’t need to spend a fortune to find the perfect cage. Some of my favorite hunting grounds are thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets, and garage sales. I have even seen them set out on the curb!
Look for a cage with a removable top or a large door opening, which makes planting so much easier. A little rust is nothing to worry about. In fact, that aged patina is part of the charm.
If you love the thrill of the hunt as much as I do, I share all of my best tips in my guide to thrifting garden treasures.
What Can You Plant in a Birdcage Planter?
- Trailing plants. Ivy, vinca vine, string of pearls, and creeping Jenny look beautiful spilling through the bars of the cage.
- Succulents. A birdcage filled with mixed succulents is low maintenance and holds its shape beautifully all season.
- Flowering annuals. Petunias, impatiens, lobelia, and million bells add color that gets fuller and prettier as the season goes on.
- Ferns. A single fern tucked inside a cage creates a lush, romantic, cottage garden look.
- Herbs. A birdcage herb garden near the kitchen door is as practical as it is pretty.
- Faux stems. For a covered porch or shaded spot, faux succulents or greenery give you the look with zero upkeep.
How Do You Turn a Birdcage into a Planter?
Turning a birdcage into a planter is quite easy. Here is the process in a nutshell.
Gather your supplies.
Clean your cage. Remove any perches, feeders, and trays, and give it a good scrub.
Line the base with sphagnum moss. You can also use a coco liner. These both help to hold the soil in place while letting water drain.
Add potting soil and plants. Arrange taller plants in the center and trailing plants around the edges.
Style and water. Thread the trailing vines through the bars and give everything a gentle drink.
Supplies and Tools Needed to Make a Birdcage Planter
- Vintage birdcage and base ( I used a basket as my birdcage did not have a bottom)
- 1 Plastic container (to fit into the basket)
- Sphagnum moss or a coco fiber liner
- Potting soil
- Trailing plants, annuals, or succulents of your choice
- Garden gloves
- Hand trowel or scoop
- Stiff brush (for cleaning the cage)
- Clear matte sealer (optional, if you want to preserve the rusty patina)
- Small garden statue, faux bird, or other whimsical accent (optional)
How to Make My Vintage Birdcage Planter
Gather all of your supplies from the above supply list.
Step 1: Clean and Prep the Cage
First, remove any perches, feeders, and drill holes in the bottom tray if your cage has one. The holes allow water to drain when you water your plants.
Give the cage a good scrub with a stiff brush to remove any loose rust and dirt, then rinse it and let it dry completely.
Step 2: Decide on Your Finish
This is where you get to choose the look you love. You can spray paint the cage for a fresh, clean finish, or leave the aged patina exactly as it is.
I loved the finish my birdcage already had, so I left it alone. If you want to slow down further rusting, a light coat of clear matte sealer will do the trick.
Step 3: Line the Base with Moss
Since my birdcage did not have a bottom, I used an old rusty basket as the base.
I also placed a plastic container upside down inside the basket to take up some space, so my planter would not be quite so heavy.
Next, line the bottom of your cage or basket with a generous layer of sphagnum moss, pressing it up the sides a few inches to create a nest for your soil.
The moss holds everything in place, lets excess water drain, and looks so pretty peeking through the bars.
Step 4: Add Your Potting Soil
Fill the moss nest with potting soil, leaving an inch or two below the rim of your moss so nothing spills out when you water.
I placed my birdcage on top of the soil and used it to mark the outline so I could see exactly where to plant the flowers inside the birdcage.
Step 5: Plant Your Flowers
Now for the fun part! Place your tallest plant in the center of the cage, then tuck your trailing plants around the edges.
I used pink polka dot plants, white impatiens, a delicate angel fern, and burgundy coleus to create my natural-looking birdcage planter.
Work through the cage door if you need to, or the open top, and don’t be afraid to squeeze the root balls gently to fit them through the opening.
Step 6: Thread the Trailing Vines
Gently pull the trailing vines and stems through the bars of the cage so they spill over the sides.
This is the step that makes the whole project feel like it has been growing there for years.
Step 7: Water and Add a Whimsical Touch
Give your planter a gentle drink of water. If you like, tuck in a small garden statue, a faux bird, or a few moss-covered stones for an extra touch of whimsy.
Easy Ways to Display Your Birdcage Planter
One of my favorite things about this birdcage planter is how versatile it is. Here are a few of my favorite ways to display it around the garden.
Hang it from a shepherd’s hook or a sturdy tree branch.
Set it on a vintage table or plant stand as a garden focal point.
Tuck it right into a flower bed where a perennial has finished blooming.
Place it on a covered porch to welcome guests.
Use it as a centerpiece for outdoor entertaining.
Bring it indoors in the winter with faux greenery for year-round charm.
How to Care for a Birdcage Planter
Because a moss-lined planter drains quickly, it will dry out faster than a traditional pot. Check the soil every day or two in the summer heat, and water when the top inch feels dry.
If your planter hangs in full sun, choose heat-loving plants like succulents, petunias, or million bells. For shady spots, ferns, impatiens, and ivy are happy campers.
More Whimsical Garden Ideas You’ll Love
If you love this vintage birdcage planter, I have a whole collection of whimsical garden ideas waiting for you in the archives.
DIY Lighted Garden Sphere : a glowing garden accent that looks magical at dusk
Succulent Planters from Repurposed Garden Tools : rusty rakes and shovels turned into living garden art
DIY Vintage Chair Planter for the Garden : a whimsical garden focal point made from a thrifted chair
Picket Fence Easel : a charming way to display garden signs and seasonal decor
How to Create a Garden Clock Out of Vintage Garden Tools : old garden tools and an oil drum lid become a working clock full of rusty charm
Repurposed Garden Baskets Make Beautiful Outdoor Hanging Lights : wire garden baskets turned into the sweetest pendant lights for outdoor dining
A Charming Vintage Touch for Any Garden
I hope this DIY birdcage planter inspires you to look at old treasures a little differently. It is one of those simple projects that comes together in an afternoon and rewards you all season long as the plants fill in and spill through the bars.
Whether you set it in a flower bed, tuck it onto your porch, or make one as a gift for a garden-loving friend, it is a handmade piece you will enjoy year after year.
More Handcrafted Society Garden Projects
My talented friends in the Handcrafted Society have been creating in the garden this month too, and you won’t want to miss a single one. Click through and show them some love!
Neighborhood Zinnia Cutting Garden from South House Designs. Cutting gardens bring smiles by their very existence, but when that garden is for the whole neighborhood, it also builds community. Diane’s zinnia cutting garden does exactly that, complete with a handmade sign, painted birdhouses, and scissors ready for any neighbor who wants to snip a fresh bunch.
How to Make a Plant Tray from an Old Window from The Crowned Goat. This DIY plant tray is simple to create and comes in handy while weeding container gardens, garden beds, and more.
Picture Frame Garden Art from Sonata Home Design. Got an old picture frame collecting dust? Put it to work in the garden with this creative, budget-friendly idea that turns garden flowers into 3-D artwork.
Create a Fancy Bee Hotel from Thistle Key Lane. Build your own solitary bee hotel, or update a ready-made one so it blends beautifully into your garden.
How to Hang Flower Pots for a Charming Outdoor Display from An Organized Season. Learn an easy way to hang flower pots and create a charming garden-inspired display.
Create an Affordable Wire Cloche for Plants from Skylark House. A budget-friendly wire cloche that adds vintage charm to your garden while protecting your plants.
Happy crafting!
More about me!
Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.
I absolutely adore this idea, Wendy! The birdcage is so unique and is such a lovely addition to your outdoor spaces! Thanks for all the tips on how to plant it! Pinning now so I can try this sometime!
Thank you Donna, this sure was a great hop. So many beautiful projects.
I’m loving this vintage birdcage planter Wendy! The mossy base is gorgeous as well as your selection of plants! I’m now adding a vintage birdcage to my antiquing shopping list. This is a must try project!
Thank you Michelle and if you happen to need one of those rusty baskets, I have an extra!
We’re in the process of revamping a few of the gardens around our property, and I can’t wait to try this idea. It will be such a fun way to add a bit of whimsy and charm. Thanks for the inspo! Sending you hugs and wishing you the most amazing summer season, CoCo
I cannot wait to see what you are doing in the garden. You must be gardening in the very early am as I know the heat is out of control right now in Florida as well as California! ugh
SO pretty, Wendy!! I love all of the plants you put inside…the moss really does make it feel straight out of a fairytale garden.
Thank you Rachel, I do love the mossy base, it just feels so natural. I hope you are doing well. I have been a bit MIA due to family issues, but look forward to getting back to blogging.
I was logged in under Jen who helps me, it was really me who commented on your comment :)))))))
Wendy – This little vintage bird cage planter is magical. It would also look charming at night with some battery operated twinkle lights. Thanks for the inspiration!!
What a great idea Anna! I sure hope you and Cindy had a great time at the flea market! wish I could of come.
You’ve done it again!!! It’s not just the birdcage but the assortment of gorgeous plants you arranged in it. Love❣️❣️❣️
Thank you sweet friend, you are always so kind!
What a charming idea…and so clever! I’m definitely keeping my eyes open now for birdcages. It looks so pretty on your outdoor coffee table. Thanks for the great inspiration!
Thank you Missy! I loved your project too… it was a great month for the HCS.