Paper Cup Hanging Seedling Planter

_{This ingenious planter, made from paper drinking cups, is a fascinating science project, a lovely hanging planter, and a clever space-saver all in one. It brings seedlings closer to the sun and your family even closer to springtime!}

Don’t you just love doing fun projects with your kids? I DO!! I felt the need to get CRAFTY today.

It must have been that wonderful springtime weather. Starting seeds doesn’t need to be expensive. This project is easy, good for the earth, and it’s a great way to get kids involved in gardening!

It’s a great idea to start your plants from seed, you can save some big bucks and not to mention the bigger variety of seeds that are available. The best part is that you are creating significant memories with your kids. Enjoy and have fun.

And if your kids are in the mood, you can also help them to create their own butterfly garden.

This guide includes tips for planting a butterfly garden in your yard and printable activities to learn about butterflies, practice observational skills with your little ones, and spend more time fostering curiosity outdoors.

Material Needed For Paper Cup Hanging Seedling Planter

Ignore the “Happy Birthday” Written on the Cups. They look Spring-like & really for my kids, they didn’t care.

3 Paper Cups
Stapler
Scissors
Popsicle sticks (roughly 9)
Twine or thick yarn
Glue (wood, Elmers or whatever you have on hand) I used hot glue (love the gun)
Potting Soil

How to Make Your Paper Cup Hanging Seedling Planter

STEP ONE: First, you are going to need to secure each up to stabilize them for hanging.

Staple the three cups together (after decorating). Pictured below is using one staple b per cup, but I suggest adding in quite a few more. You want to make sure that the cups can hold your soil.

STEP TWO: Next, glue your popsicle sticks together to form a triangle that fits around the rim of the cups. You are going to need to overlap all your popsicle sticks.

I pulled out my trusty hot glue gun for this step to secure them in place. This step should not involve little fingers.

making a triangle support out of popsicle sticks for planter

The key is overlapping your popsicle sticks to make the triangle. Like the image above.

STEP THREE: Cut three 18″ pieces of twine or heavy yarn (I believe ours was slightly longer than the 18 inches).

STEP FOUR: Then you will tie each piece of yarn to a corner of your triangle. After that, tie the three pieces together at the top. Do your absolute best knot.

STEP FIVE: Fill the cups with soil, plant some seeds (according to your seed pack instructions), and hang your beautiful planter near a window. I do suggest using potting soil if you have it. It is lighter, but if you don’t any old soil will work. Just make sure it is not too heavy.

This craft is not made of industrial-type strength. If you know what I mean? Spritz with water several times a day.

getting soil from our garden for planters

Don’t forget to keep your soil moist. It makes your seeds happy. To do this, just fill a container with some potting soil and wet it through.

Be careful not to make it soggy. Your planters are made out of paper cups and too much water can actually weigh down the soil and allow the paper in the cups to absorb the water. You may then end up with a hole at the bottom. You don’t want that.

If you’re planting more than one type of seed, you can simply mark the outside of the cups with a sharpie marker after filling them with soil.

It is exciting to see plants grow from tiny seeds.

All the hard work of sowing will soon be revealed. Just start envisioning the blooms, fruits, herbs, and vegetables that will nourish your body and soul this spring! Have fun!