Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive or wasteful. Instead of buying plastic seed trays, you can repurpose household items to create eco-friendly, biodegradable seed starter pots.
These DIY seed pots allow you to start your plants indoors, giving them a head start before transplanting them into the garden.
Some of the biodegradable options in this collection can be planted directly into the soil, reducing transplant shock and making it even easier to grow strong, healthy plants.
It’s time to put on your gardening gloves and get planting! Start your indoor seed-growing journey today with these creative upcycled seed starter pots.
1. Chinese Takeout Container Seed Pods
Instead of tossing out leftover takeout containers, repurpose them into mini greenhouses for starting seeds. Their clear plastic lids help trap moisture, creating a perfect environment for germination.
✔ Easy to find and repurpose
✔ Creates a humid environment for seedlings
✔ Great for herbs and small vegetable seeds
2. Egg Carton Seed Pods
Cardboard egg cartons make fantastic biodegradable seed starters. Simply fill each section with soil, plant seeds, and when they’re ready, cut apart the pods and plant them directly into the soil.
✔ Compostable and biodegradable
✔ Perfect for seedlings like tomatoes and peppers
✔ Absorbs excess water, preventing overwatering
3. Ice Cream Cone Seed Starters
Edible ice cream cones make for fun and fully biodegradable seed starters. Once the seedlings are ready, plant the whole cone directly into the soil, and it will break down naturally.
✔ No waste, fully biodegradable
✔ Ideal for small seedlings like herbs and flowers
✔ Easy for kids to handle and plant
4. Upcycled Juice Carton Seed Pods
Cut juice cartons in half and use the bottom sections as sturdy seed starters. Their water-resistant material helps retain moisture, making them excellent for starting larger seedlings.
✔ Great for deeper-rooted plants
✔ Easy to move around
✔ Can be used multiple times
5. K-Cup Seed Starter Pods
K-Cups are perfect for small seed starts. Rinse them out, poke a hole in the bottom for drainage, and fill with soil. Their compact size makes them great for windowsill gardening.
✔ Upcycles single-use plastic waste
✔ Ideal for herbs and microgreens
✔ Works well in limited spaces
6. Repurposed Loofah Sponge Seed Starter
Loofah sponges make a unique, natural seed starter. Cut them into small sections, fill with soil, and plant your seeds. Their natural fibrous texture promotes root aeration.
✔ Encourages strong root development
✔ Biodegradable and sustainable
✔ Perfect for moisture-loving plants
7. Self-Watering Seed Starter With Plastic Bottles
Use plastic bottles to create self-watering seed starters by cutting them in half and using a wicking system to keep soil moist. This method ensures your seedlings never dry out.
✔ Low-maintenance watering system
✔ Great for busy gardeners
✔ Reduces water waste
8. Repurposed Mason Jars
Mason jars make charming mini greenhouses for seed starting. Just make sure to monitor moisture levels to prevent overwatering.
✔ Reusable and decorative
✔ Great for growing herbs on windowsills
✔ Adds rustic charm to indoor gardens
9. Upcycled Plastic Milk Jugs Into Seed Starters
Cut milk jugs in half to create mini greenhouses. The top half acts as a lid, trapping humidity and creating a warm environment for seedlings.
✔ Provides insulation for fragile seedlings
✔ Great for starting seeds early in cooler climates
✔ Can be reused multiple times
10. Repurposed Muffin Tin Seed Pots
Fill each muffin cup with potting soil and seeds, then place in a sunny spot. Cover with plastic wrap to retain moisture and encourage sprouting.
✔ Compact and space-efficient
✔ Great for germinating multiple seeds at once
✔ Easy to move indoors and outdoors
11. Plastic Salad Container Planters
Plastic salad containers make ideal mini-greenhouses. Their clear lids help regulate temperature and moisture, ensuring quick seed germination.
✔ Reduces plastic waste
✔ Easy to monitor plant growth
✔ Perfect for leafy greens and herbs
12. Upcycled Newspapers Into Seed Pots
Roll newspapers into small cylinders and fill with soil for biodegradable seed starters. Once the seedlings grow, plant the entire pot directly into the garden.
✔ Budget-friendly and compostable
✔ Great for root vegetables and flowers
✔ Easy to customize in size
13. DIY Shredded Paper Seed Starters
Mix shredded paper with water and shape them into small pots. Let them dry before adding soil and seeds.
✔ A creative way to recycle paper
✔ Breaks down naturally in the soil
✔ Holds moisture well for seedlings
14. Upcycled Eggshell Seed Pots
Use cracked eggshell halves as natural seed starters. Simply fill with soil, plant seeds, and when ready, plant the entire shell into the ground.
✔ Adds calcium to the soil as it decomposes
✔ Perfect for delicate seedlings
✔ Completely biodegradable
15. Strawberry Carton Mini Greenhouse
Strawberry containers make great seed-starting trays. Their ventilation holes allow proper airflow, while the clear plastic top traps humidity.
✔ Perfect for early-season planting
✔ Portable and easy to manage
✔ Reuses plastic that would otherwise be discarded
16. Upcycled Tin Can Planters
Thoroughly rinse and drill holes in the bottom of tin cans, then use them as sturdy seed starters for larger plants.
✔ Durable and long-lasting
✔ Adds an industrial rustic touch
✔ Perfect for tomatoes, peppers, and flowers
17. Toilet Paper Roll Seed Pods
Seed starters made from toilet paper rolls. Each roll makes one seed starter or you could use paper towel rolls and get two starters from each roll.
18. Repurposed Ice Cube Tray Turned Seed Starter
19. Citrus Peel Seed Starter Pods
20. Mini Yogurt Cup Seed Starters
Upcycling household items into DIY seed starters is a fun, eco-friendly way to save money and reduce waste.
Whether you choose biodegradable options or reusable containers, these ideas will help you grow strong seedlings while doing your part for the planet.
