How to Make a Lightbulb Planter From Plastic Packaging!

The best trash to treasure is any item that's saved from going to landfill and upcycled into something useful and beautiful! When my brother-in-law changed over the light bulbs in his house to LED, I asked him to save the plastic packaging that protects the glass bulb.

We hate to see anything go into landfill! Plastic like this doesn’t get recycled in our community and we knew we’d find a creative way to use it. You might say we had a lightbulb moment when we created this planter.

[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Clicking on the affiliate links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more and it helps us make more unique crafts to share with you!]

Packaging from LED light bulbs (the plastic part)

6 ounces Rapid Set Cement All

Air plant

Mini binder clips

Scissors

Plumbing chain and fittings

Water bottle cut in half

Utility knife

12-guage aluminum wire

Vaseline or oil

Marker

Elastic band

Container large enough to hold the lightbulb upright (for pouring)

1.5 ounces water

Clear cap (from hair product can or any similar round object)

I used to find cement projects intimidating. Since I’ve only just begun to experiment, I still have to master what quantity will fill up a given container. This light bulb planter wasn’t my original idea for this project (we’ll show you that one another time). However, I love how it turned out even better!

If necessary, use scissor to trim the edges of the plastic so the binder clips can snug right up against the edge to close them tight.

Cut two notches as shown in 2nd pic at the top of the plastic light bulb packaging. They should be the same distance apart as the diameter of the cap.

Center the cap between the notches.

Use the marker to trace a circle around the cap. Cut out using scissors or utility knife.

Rub a very small amount of vaseline around the inside of the mold. Do use too much or else it can show in the final product.

These binder clips are what is going to hold the mold together. We use binder clips a lot, like for this slipcover lampshade tutorial.

Afer greasing the inside of the mold, place binder clips all around the perimeter. You can also add an elastic band if you wish.

The mold is now ready to fill through the hole in the top (with help from a cut-off water bottle as you’ll see in the video).

Ensure your container is large enough to hold the light bulb mold upright.

Measure out and mix together the water and Rapid Set Cement All. Stir for one minute to combine. This stuff sets up fast so work quickly.

Using the top half of the water bottle as a funnel, pour the cement mixture into the plastic mold. Insert the cap into the hole in the top.

Tap to release bubbles then let it dry in the container. Another way to release bubbles is to hold an electric sander against the side of the container (minus the sandpaper). The vibration will bring the bubbles to the top.

After an hour, remove the binder clips and open out the two halves of the lightbulb packaging. The cement should slip right out of its mold. Because I only have 3/4 of a cement lightbulb, the next step is going to embellish that in a fun way!

The finishing touches really give it that lightbulb look. We're going to fashion two wire coils by winding them around a circular object.

The first wire coil should be the circumference of the upper part of the bulb. Wind the aluminum wire eight times and then twist the end around to fasten it together. Fan it out as shown above and pop it onto the top of the light bulb to form a wire cage for the air plant. The fit should be tight so it's held on with friction.

The second wire coil should be the circumference of the bottom of the light bulb. Wrap it around 7 times. But this time, bend back one end as shown and add the plumbing chain onto the end using the fittings to attach. Twist the wire to fasten. Since it’s wound tightly, it should fit snug around the bottom of the cement lightbulb.

Insert the air plant on top. I love how the wire cage cradles the air plant! Because of the wire cage, any style air plant will work and help hold it in place!

When you don't have space to garden, but you still want to have some easy-to-care-for greenery around, air plants are ideal! Be sure to place your air plant where it gets lots of indirect sunlight. You can easily remove it for watering; air plants should be soaked about once a week for about 15 minutes.

The next time you're about to toss plastic packaging, stop to think about the possibilities. With Mother's Day fast approaching, a planter like this would make a lovely gift for Mom - or anyone for that matter :)

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