Transforming old tyres into colorful garden planters is an eco-friendly and creative way to beautify your outdoor space while promoting sustainability. These 10 Painted Tyre Planter DIY Tutorial Ideas combine upcycling with vibrant design to create stunning focal points for gardens, patios, or balconies. Start with a bold rainbow-stacked planter, where each tyre is painted a different color and filled with cheerful blooms. For a more artistic touch, try a mandala art tyre using white paint pens on a dark base for a boho-inspired aesthetic. Half-buried pastel tyres offer a whimsical garden edge, while hanging tyre planters bring color and greenery to vertical spaces. Add charm with a ladybug planter, complete with red and black paint, googly eyes, and antennae.
A striped patio planter gives a modern flair using painter’s tape and sleek color combinations. For a sculptural look, shape a tyre into a graceful swan planter—perfect for ponds or lawn centers. Bring joy with a polka dot trio, using bright colors and playful patterns. For a cottage feel, decorate a floral patterned tyre with hand-painted or stenciled blooms in vibrant shades. Finally, a chalkboard herb tyre offers functionality with style—label each section with chalk as you grow kitchen herbs like basil or mint. These tutorials cater to every skill level and garden size, proving that repurposed materials can become lasting, eye-catching garden features. Whether you’re decorating a child-friendly yard or enhancing a modern patio, painted tyre planters are budget-friendly and full of character.
1. Rainbow Stacked Tyres
Brighten up your garden with this vibrant stacked tyre planter! Paint each tyre in a bold rainbow hue and fill them with cascading flowers like petunias or marigolds. This colorful vertical garden not only recycles old tyres but also adds a lively focal point to any yard. It’s a fun and easy weekend project that makes use of materials you likely already have. Perfect for both kids and adults, this planter brings color, charm, and eco-conscious creativity together beautifully.
Supplies
- 3 used car tyres
- Exterior acrylic or spray paints (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- Paintbrushes or spray nozzles
- Potting soil
- Flowers like petunias or marigolds
- Drop cloth or tarp (optional)
2. Mandala Art Tyre Planter
Turn a simple tyre into a boho garden masterpiece with mandala art! Start by painting the tyre in a deep, rich color like navy or charcoal. Then, use white paint or paint pens to draw intricate mandala patterns across the surface. Place it flat on the ground or stack multiple tyres for more impact. Fill it with succulents or herbs, and enjoy the contrast of earthy greenery against artistic patterns. This unique design adds mindful beauty to any outdoor space.
Supplies
- 1 tyre
- Dark base paint (black, navy, charcoal)
- White paint or paint pens
- Mandala stencil (optional)
- Brushes or fine-tip tools
- Succulent soil mix
- Small succulents or herbs
3. Half-Buried Tyre Garden
Create a whimsical garden border using half-buried tyres painted in soft pastels! Cut each tyre in half, dig shallow trenches, and arrange them in a curved or zigzag design. Paint each one a different pastel shade like mint, blush, or lavender. Fill them with soil and plant colorful blooms or ground cover. This idea is perfect for edging paths, adding structure to garden beds, or brightening up play areas. It’s an imaginative, eco-friendly way to add charm with minimal cost.
Supplies
- Several tyres (cut in half)
- Pastel-colored paints (mint, blush, lavender, etc.)
- Hand saw (for cutting tyres)
- Paintbrushes
- Soil
- Flowering plants or ground cover
- Garden spade
4. Hanging Tyre Planter
Add vertical flair to your garden with a bold hanging tyre planter! Paint a tyre in a bright color—sunny yellow or cherry red work great—then hang it securely from a sturdy tree or wall. Line the inside with a coconut liner or wire mesh, fill with soil, and add trailing flowers or lush greenery. This eye-catching design is perfect for small spaces, balconies, or patios. It’s a creative way to upcycle old tyres while making a standout statement.
Supplies
- 1 tyre
- Bold paint (yellow, red, turquoise)
- Paintbrush or spray paint
- Heavy-duty rope or chain
- Drill and hanging hardware
- Coconut liner or metal mesh
- Potting mix
- Trailing plants or flowers
5. Ladybug Tyre Planter
Delight kids and guests alike with this playful ladybug tyre planter! Paint the tyre bright red and add black polka dots to mimic a ladybug’s back. Attach wooden or foam eyes and cute antennae to bring your garden critter to life. Place it on a lawn or near flowerbeds and fill with vibrant plants. This design is perfect for themed garden corners, schools, or children’s play areas. It adds a splash of fun and encourages eco-conscious creativity through repurposing.
Supplies
- 1 tyre
- Red and black paint
- Foam or wooden cutouts (eyes, antennae)
- Hot glue or outdoor adhesive
- Soil
- Bright flowering plants
- Small detail brush for polka dots
6. Striped Patio Planter
Add sleek style to your patio with a striped tyre planter! Choose two contrasting colors—like navy and white or black and gold—and use painter’s tape to create clean, bold stripes around the tyre. Place it on a deck or porch, and plant decorative grasses, lavender, or dwarf shrubs. This project gives old tyres a polished, modern look while adding a custom touch to your outdoor space. It’s a chic, affordable way to enhance your patio with personality and style.
Supplies
- 1 tyre
- Two contrasting paint colors
- Painter’s tape
- Brushes or spray paint
- Potting soil
- Decorative grasses or dwarf shrubs
- Gloves and tarp
7. Tyre Swan Planter
Craft an elegant garden sculpture with a tyre swan planter! Carefully cut and shape a tyre into a graceful swan form, paint it white, and add black eyes and an orange beak. Fill the center with soil and greenery, letting the plants mimic feathers. This DIY planter is perfect for placing near a pond, in a flower bed, or as a yard centerpiece. It’s a conversation-starting project that showcases your creativity while giving discarded tyres a swan-like second life.
Supplies
- 1 tyre (cuttable type)
- White, orange, and black paint
- Jigsaw or cutting tool
- Wire or rebar (for neck shaping)
- Potting mix
- Greenery or ferns
- Safety goggles and gloves
8. Polka Dot Tyre Trio
Bring a cheerful vibe to your garden with polka dot tyre planters! Paint three tyres in bright base colors like teal, magenta, and lime green, then add large white or contrasting polka dots. Position them together or scatter them across your yard for a playful layout. These planters are ideal for adding a splash of color to dull garden corners and are great for planting flowers, herbs, or succulents. It’s a fun, easy, and family-friendly upcycling idea anyone can try.
Supplies
- 3 tyres
- Bright base paint (teal, magenta, lime)
- White paint (for dots)
- Round sponges or stencil brush
- Soil
- Mixed flowering plants
- Drop cloth
9. Floral Patterned Tyre
Give your garden a vintage flourish with a floral patterned tyre planter! Start by painting the tyre a soft base color—light blue or cream works beautifully—then use stencils or freehand painting to add flowers and vines in vibrant shades. Set it near a rustic fence or garden bench for a romantic touch. This decorative planter is perfect for growing daisies, pansies, or herbs, adding both charm and character to your outdoor space. A perfect blend of function and artistry.
Supplies
- 1 tyre
- Soft base paint (light blue or cream)
- Floral stencils or freehand brushes
- Acrylic paints (variety of floral colors)
- Soil
- Daisies, pansies, or herbs
- Varnish (optional for sealing)
10. Chalkboard Tyre Herb Planter
Organize your herb garden in style with a chalkboard-painted tyre planter! Paint an old tyre with black chalkboard paint and let it dry completely. Fill with rich soil and plant herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary. Use chalk to label each section directly on the tyre. This creative project keeps your garden neat while letting you change labels as needed. It’s an ideal addition to patios or balconies and combines practicality with a rustic, farmhouse-inspired aesthetic.
Supplies
- 1 tyre
- Chalkboard paint
- Paintbrush or roller
- Chalk or chalk markers
- Soil
- Herb plants (mint, basil, thyme)
- Garden gloves
