How to make Eggshell Planters

How to make Eggshell Planters ~ simple eggshells can be used to make the most enchanting floral arrangements for Easter brunch and springtime entertaining. Skip the pricey florist and create your own tablescapes with flowers and plantings you can gather from your own yard or neighborhood. Eggshells make fabulous seed starters, too!

these eggshell vases and planters are super simple, so even if you’re not crafty you can pull it off.

From the moment I saw one of these cute eggshell bud vases online, I knew I would do a post on them. Here in Southern California the flowers are out in force, so all I had to do was take a walk around the block to gather some colorful blossoms. If you’re in a colder part of the country, check out the floral section of your supermarket. You can use your hollowed out eggshells as vases for cut flowers and greens, or as mini planters. You can go all out with colorful blooms, or keep to a minimal theme with simple leafy greens or ferns.

what you’ll need to make your own eggshell vases and planters~

• Raw eggs, I like to use extra large or jumbo because they’ll give you the most space to work with.
• An cardboard egg carton for your arrangement. You can also use egg cups, tea cups, ceramic egg cartons, cake stands, etc.
• If you’re going to make mini planters you’ll need potting soil or succulent planting mix if you’re using succulents
• Small cut flowers, herbs, ferns, mini succulents or succulent cuttings, seedlings, small bulbs, etc.

 

begin with a cracked and emptied egg ~

• Gently but firmly tap the small end of a raw egg with a butter knife until it cracks, then carefully break away the top portion of the egg with your fingers. You can remove just a little for a small opening, or more, it’s up to you. Don’t worry about being neat, the jagged edge is part of the charm!
• Empty the egg, then rinse and dry. Now you’re ready to fill with water or soil.

image source: Swooned

image source: the Kitchn

eggshells provide perfect little vessels for planting mini succulents.

• Poke a small hole in the bottom of your emptied eggshell for drainage with a sharp pin.
• Fill with potting soil made specifically for succulents or cactus (you can get this at your local garden center.)
• Find mini succulents at your local nursery or Home Depot type stores. You can also take small cuttings from larger plants.
• Just place your succulent right into the soil and pat down so they are stable.
• Water sparingly.

image source: Petagadget

image source: A Simple Pantry

eggshells can serve as seed starters for all sorts of plants

This allows you to get a head start on the planting season, and is a great project to do with kids.

• Poke a small drainage hole in the bottom of your egg shells with a sharp pin.
• Fill your emptied egg shells 2/3 full with planting mix.
• Drop in a few seeds, then cover with a thin layer of soil.
• Water lightly and keep in a sunny spot.
• When the seedlings have developed leaves, they are ready to transplant, just plant them right in the garden, egg shell and all. Give the shell a squeeze to crack the surface just before planing so the roots can expand into the soil easily.

image source: Gardenista

image source: Martha Stewart

set your egg ‘vases’ into egg cups or even tea cups filled with moss for display

These make beautiful accents for a spring brunch place setting.

• You’ll find egg cups in most home goods stores, and kitchen sections of large department stores. You can find vintage egg cups in thrift stores, too.
• Replenish the water often, and arrange your flowers shortly before you want to display them, they won’t stay fresh for more than a day. Refresh with new blossoms as needed.

 

image source: Lauren Conrad

image source: BRIT+CO

you can create adorable hanging planters with your eggshells.

• Carefully crack your eggshells and empty.
• Use a sharp needle to create a hole on either side, near the edge, but not too close.
• Thread twine though the holes and knot to secure.
• If you’re super duper crafty you might try making macrame hangers to fit the eggshells.
• Hang from a twig, a chandelier, or windowsill.
• Fill with water and blossoms.

image source: @tittimalmberg

image source: We Are Scout

don’t limit yourself to white or brown egg shells, use festive dyed or decorated eggs too!

• Dye or decorate raw eggs just like you would with boiled eggs, then crack and empty.
• You can also crack and empty the eggs first, and then paint the shells using paint markers.
• Dip the raw edges in glue and then glitter for some glam.
• Fill or plant as above.

image source: Sewforsoul

image source: Craftberry Bush

gather several eggs together to make a spring centerpiece, or use a single eggshell for a minimal effect.

• Use wide shallow bowls or cake stands as your vessel for a centerpiece. A pie plate on top of a cake stand works well.
• Moss makes a great filler, tucked in between the eggs. Find it at your local nursery or garden center.
• For individual eggs you can use a dab of museum wax to stabilize them in any position you like.
• Love this idea but don’t want to fuss with egg shells? Fake it with ceramic egg shell vases from Amazon!

 

image source: Stylizimo

you’re going to need some good recipes handy to use up all those eggs you’ve emptied out from your shells.

• Eggs Benedict Quiche
• Baked Eggs Florentine
• Baked Egg Galettes
• Spinach and Artichoke Quiche