There’s something awfully satisfying about turning a box of old kitchen odds and ends into something useful out on the porch. For this project, I’m taking 12 old silver metal soup ladles, bending them into little wall-mounted pockets, and fastening them onto a thick wooden porch railing to make a row of rustic succulent planters. It has that charming “use what you have” spirit I grew up with, and it’s a fine way to dress up a plain stretch of wood without spending much at all.
This is a good project for anyone who likes easy upcycling, simple porch décor, or low-maintenance plants. Succulents are forgiving, the materials are humble, and the finished piece has a weathered farmhouse feel that looks right at home in a backyard or garden corner.
Materials
Instructions
1. Clean the ladles well with warm soapy water and dry them completely so no grease or moisture is trapped before planting.
2. Lay the 12 ladles in a row and choose the prettiest side to face outward, especially if some have a little age and patina you’d like to show off.
3. Mark a straight guideline on the 1-inch-thick wooden porch railing and space 12 placement marks about 3 inches apart so the ladle bowls won’t crowd each other.
4. Using pliers, gently bend the handle of each ladle near the bowl to create an angled hook shape so the bowl tilts slightly upward and can hold soil.
5. If needed, make a second light bend farther up the handle so the back of the ladle sits flatter against the railing and feels steady when pressed into place.
6. Drill one small drainage hole in the bottom of each ladle bowl so extra water can escape and the succulents won’t sit soggy.
7. Hold each ladle on its mark and pre-drill a small pilot hole into the railing where the nail will go through or over the handle to help prevent the wood from splitting.
8. Nail the 12 bent ladles onto the railing one at a time, checking that each bowl is upright enough to hold gravel and soil without spilling.
9. Add about 1/2 inch of pea gravel to the bottom of each ladle for drainage, then fill the rest nearly to the top with cactus and succulent potting mix.
10. Remove each succulent from its nursery pot, loosen the roots lightly with your fingers, and tuck one plant into each ladle bowl.
11. Add a little more potting mix around each plant, press gently to settle it, and brush off any loose soil from the metal and wood.
12. Water each planter very lightly, then place the railing where it gets bright indirect light or gentle morning sun and let the arrangement settle in for a few days.
Variations & Tips
Use mismatched ladles: If your ladles aren’t identical, lean into it. A mix of shapes and handle details gives the project even more old-time character, and I think that kind of unevenness is half the charm.
Try herbs instead: Tiny cuttings of thyme or sedum can work nicely if your porch gets enough light, though succulents are still the easiest and least fussy choice.
Protect the wood: If your railing is exposed to a lot of rain, brush on an exterior sealer before mounting the ladles. Around my way, a little weather protection saves a project from looking tired too soon.
Don’t overwater: These little planters hold only a small amount of soil, so a spoonful or two of water is often enough. Let the soil dry between waterings to keep roots healthy.
Check the metal strength: Older ladles can vary quite a bit, so bend them slowly to avoid cracking or snapping the handle where the metal is thin.
Add a decorative finish: You can leave the silver finish as-is for a simple rustic look, or lightly distress the ladles with fine steel wool if you want them to look more aged and soft.