You might say we’re ‘on the ball’ with this basketball planter (or rather – in the ball)! You might even say this project’s a ‘slam dunk’. No matter what you call it, there’s no denying that this is the easiest upcycled planter idea we’ve created to date. And we do have a number of upcycled planter ideas for all skill levels to choose from!

If you’re a visual learner, watch this video – or proceed to the written tutorial below.

International Bloggers Club

It’s time for this month’s International Bloggers Club (IBC). The IBC is a group of bloggers from all over the world who challenge each other every month to make something using a common theme.  Our previous challenge was “I Can Upcycle” and we used drink cans to make this eye catching can craft mosaic art. 

Our theme this month is Fantabulous Planters. So today we’re showing you how to make a basketball planter!

You’ll find our friends’ planter tutorials at the bottom of the post. So don’t forget to check them out before you go. And if you don’t have time to browse today, pop back in later in the week to pick up where you left off.

Basketball Planter Materials

* [If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): Clicking on the affiliate links below means we may receive a commission. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more and it helps us make more unique crafts to share with you! Thanks for helping to support our blog!]

Thanks to my brother-in-law for donating this Spalding basketball for this upcycle! It brings back great memories of the historic Raptors championship a few years back (the first time a Canadian team won)!

• Tekk Monster Jam Mini Hoop
• Spalding Basketball
• Cut resistant glove (s)
• Craft Knife. Be sure to have a sharp blade
• File Folder
• Planter pot with rim (our is approx 6″wide x 4″ high)
• Grid Ruler
• Metal ring (to stabilize ball as you cut)
• Krud Kutter
• Plant

The one piece of indispensable ‘equipment’, at least for me, is the metal ring you see below. That’s because it helps keep the ball steady as I cut. Any metal ring will work as long as it sits flat. Try a wok ring or a stove burner ring.

You’ll also need a craft knife, cut resistant glove, file folder (or piece of cardboard), pencil, marker, ruler and a planter with a lip on it. The lip on the plastic pot is important because it covers up the rough edges of the hole.

How to Make a Basketball Planter

Step 1. clean the basketball

No sooner did we finish this project, when we found another basketball on garbage day!  Whether you find your basketball at the curb, or grab one from your kids who no longer aspire to play, give the ball a good cleaning.

For that, we like Krud Kutter.

Step 2. Make a template.

A template ensures you’ll have a perfect fit after the ball is cut. Turn the planter upside down onto the file folder and trace around the perimeter.

Measure in from the rim to the inside edge. My measurement is 1/4″. Draw a line that’s 1/4″ (or your measurement) inside the first.

Cut on the inside line.

Then test the fit of the planter in the hole you just cut. It should be loose enough to slide in, but the lip should cover up the hole.

Step 2. Mark the Line on the Ball

At this point, you can either use the cardboard template to draw your circle, or set a protractor to the proper circumference and use that to draw instead.

I chose to centre the cardboard template and trace around the circle with a marker.

Step 3. Cut the Ball

Ensure you have a new sharp blade in the craft knife. Insert the pointy tip of the craft knife at the starting point. You’ll hear the air slowly hiss as it escapes.

Cut on the outside of the line you drew, so the hole doesn’t shrink on you and become too tight. As you move forward, you’ll be able to lift a flap, as shown below, to help with the tension as you cut. Wear a cut resistant glove if you’re worried about slipping.

Step 4: Test Fit of the Planter

The plastic planter should sit flush against the ball as shown.

Step 5. Display Your Basketball Planter

There are a ton of ways to display your new basketball planter! You can set it right onto a ring or hang it.

I wanted this planter to be as ‘authentic’ as possible. So I found this second hand Tekk Monster Jam Mini Hoop (12″ x 18″) that hangs over a door.

Our mini basketball planter is great for indoors or out! Here it is inside with a donkey tail succulent.

But you don’t even have to get all fancy with a basketball hoop planter. A planter ring – wall mounted pot holder – will work just as well.

Another option is to make a basketball planter stand with the ring used to steady the ball as you cut. Here, I’m growing a cutting of a Wandering Jew. They’re one of the easiest house plants to propagate and grow from cuttings!

Outdoor Basketball Planter

Because of the flexibility to hang it anywhere, the mini hoop looks stunning outside in the garden on one of our outdoor privacy screens!

The Give and Grow Initiative

Well, we’d certainly be dropping the ball if we didn’t mention that if you’re not into a basketball planter DIY using our tutorial, consider purchasing one from a charity based seller like The Give and Grow in Toronto. They’ll ship to the US and Canada and a portion of each planter purchase goes toward Youth Programming.

Olivia Ho started The Give and Grow as a pandemic project to give back to the community. Her initiative is something we can get behind: we love that through her efforts, she’s ‘planting the seeds for the next generation’. Here’s more about Olivia’s woman-led initiative here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAVXqecQxAY

Olivia asks some interesting questions at the end of this video: How have you grown throughout the Pandemic? What have you done to challenge yourself or people around you to foster growth? If you have something to share on that, let us know in the comments.

Want more planter ideas? Check out these amazing upcycled planters!

Pin Basketball Planter

International Bloggers Club

And now onto these other incredible upcycled planter ideas:

1. A Crafty Mix
2. Unique Creations by Anita
3. Birds of a Feather (that’s us)!
4. Interior Frugalista