All good trends eventually come back around and houseplants are no exception. Plants were a common sight in any household in 70’s and 80’s, and seem to have lost their appeal through the 90’s and 2010’s. Buuut, they’re back! I, for one, couldn’t be happier as I have always been a plant enthusiast. From macrame hanging plant holders to the Lil’ Bo Peep planters for baby, there are plenty of vintage plant pots and retro plant accessories from bygone eras out there to score.
In the 80’s it was fairly common to give house plants as a gift when a new baby was born. My mom had several of these plants still kicking when I was growing up, and watering them was one of my favorite chores. One of the plants she received for my older sister (her first born) grew to become a tree that reached the ceiling and took up quite a bit of space in our small living room. Despite the plant’s size, its sentimental stature was much greater, and there was no way she would ever get rid of it. She cared for that plant with love over the years.
Caring for my plants is one of the best parts of my day, and although most of my houseplants don’t need daily watering, I do tend to my garden daily and I find it to be relaxing. I check to see if the soil is too wet or too dry, if the leaves turgid or limp, yellowing or vibrant green, showing any signs of bug infestations, and how much they grew overnight. In addition to being therapeutic to care for, a NASA study has found that some houseplants even reduce levels of benzene (found in plastics), trichloroethylene (found in varnishes and paints), and formaldehyde (found in building materials). Who knew a beautiful home decor accent could double as an indoor air scrubber?!
Using vintage items not meant to be planters is a fun way to get creative with houseplant display. This succulent, commonly known as Hens & Chicks, is planted in a little tea set. How cute would these be as table centerpieces for a party? Guests could take one home as a favor as well. 
Contrary to popular belief, you can plant cacti and succulents in pots without drainage holes; you just need to be careful to not overwater and cause root rot. Be sure to let the soil dry completely between watering. Trust me, it can be done. I have quite a few cacti planted in containers with no drainage, and they have thrived for years. Just look at how happy this little guy is!
Cacti, succulents, and air plants are all great candidates for repurposing vintage items into planter pots. Along with adorable tea cups, you can use chippy enamel mugs for the rustic/farmhouse look, vintage bowls like the Mexican redware in the macrame hanger (above), and little studio pottery pieces. For any “planter” you don’t want to stain or any plant that requires good drainage, just keep the plant in a plastic container that fits snugly inside your re-purposed pot. That’s what I did with the redware bowl, and I bet you didn’t even notice.
Is there a soon-to-be-mother in your life? If so, I’m sure one of Your Vintage Friends has a cute, animal-themed planter that will make the perfect gift! Whether as a gift or to fit your own room decor theme, I’m confident you can find the perfect living green buddy and pot that will fit right in. I think it’s time to bring the trend back.
Happy planting!
Some of the Vintage Planters in Your Vintage Friends’ Shops
Click on any of the images below to be redirected to the shop item.
