Eggshell planters make for super cute spring décor. Here we show you how to turn hens eggs in planters and give some suggestions for what to plant in them and how to display them.
What you need to make Eggshell Planters.
- Box of hens eggs
- Fine Gravel (we used aquarium gravel)
- Compost (We used seed compost as it is nice and fine)
How to turn Eggshells into Planters.
Use a teaspoon to gently tap the pointed end of each egg until the shell cracks.
Then, using your fingers or a sharp knife, remove the cracked portion of the shell to make an opening the size you want.
Empty the contents of the egg.
Rinse out the inside of the egg and leave it to dry.
If wanted, use a sharp pin to gently add some drainage holes to the other end of the egg. I don’t bother with drainage holes and ensure I don’t over-water my egg planters. Eggshells are porous, so they will allow some moisture to escape over time.
If you want to decorate your eggshell planters, now is the time. Markers and acrylic paint both works nicely. You can also dye eggshells using food colouring with stunning results, as shown in the photo below.
I use a little gravel in the bottom of my eggshells. The stone helps prevent the plants from becoming water-logged, and the added weight makes the planters more stable.
Top up with compost and plant with your choice of miniature plants.
What plants to use in your eggshell planters.
Any naturally small plant (with a small root system) can be grown in eggshell planters. Small succulents and cactus are ideal, as are many of the plants sold for use in terrariums.
My eggshell planters are for an Easter table centrepiece. I used tiny sweet violet plants from my garden and small hairy bittercress plants, an edible spring wildflower found here in the UK.
Using eggshells as miniature vases.
Eggshells also make cute little bud vases. They are perfect for displaying tiny spring flowers, which are too small for conventional vases.
Prepare the eggs the same way as the eggshell planters and top up with water rather than filling with soil. (You can still use the gravel to give the eggshell some weight if you wish).
Starting seeds in eggshells.
I often see articles suggesting that eggshells make great seed starters. This isn’t strictly true.
Eggshells don’t break down quickly when planted in the soil, so most seedling roots will stay trapped within the shell and are unlikely to thrive long-term.
The exception to this rule is micro-green seeds such as cress that you grow on a windowsill. They will grow quite happily in eggshells and are a fun project to try with kids.
How to display eggshell planters.
I displayed my eggshell planters in an egg box tray as part of an egg box table decoration. You can see I used eggshells as both planters and vases within.
Eggshell planters also look super cute, displayed in egg cups or tiny little flower pots.
