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How to Fake a Green THumb with this Planter Box Idea

April 10, 2018 by boondocks 78 Comments

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Have I ever told you what a great gardener I am…not!  I am the queen of killing plants.  Not that I do it intentionally. 

Even while living in Greece I could not keep flowers alive!  

 I mean I could keep an aloe vera plant alive and even a yucca.  But that’s about it. 

It is the tenth of the month and that means it is time for me to join my friends on Ten on the Tenth for another project.  We get together on this day to share a project with you, one that costs us less than ten dollars.  Last month  we talked about Spring but this month we are really looking ahead to container gardening, if and when spring decides to actually spring on us!

And now you are probably laughing because I just told you I am a brown thumb… inching close to black.  But that has never stopped me. Today I’m going to show you how to fake a green thumb with this planter box idea!

Three planter boxes from the Dollar Tree filled with real and faux flowers, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com

What I Used:

  • 3 galvanized metal planters
  • 3 bunches of faux flowers
  • 3 small pots with real flowers 
  • 2 faux vines
  • 2 ceramic figurines

​

The How To:

These galvanized metal planters seem to be everywhere.  And it is no wonder, they are only one dollar each.  You can’t go wrong with the Dollar Tree!
Two galvanized metal planters, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
I also found a great assortment of faux flowers, plants and vines.  Just look at those pretty colors.  Just what I need.  
​
Faux flowers and plants, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
I’ve been starving for some spring color in my dreary home which has been all about the snowflakes lately. 
​
faux vine, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
These beauties were not bought from the Dollar Tree.  In fact, they were gifts from my kids. They see how miserable their mama is and wanted to cheer her up. 
​
Real flower plants, Begonia and Hyacinth, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
​
The pretty potted plants were just plopped into the galvanized metal planters. That’s it!  I’ve also seen them painted, but I am really liking this galvanized metal look.
​
Real flowers placed in galvanized metal planter boxes, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
And this little one…
​
Violet plant in plastic pot, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com

​… went into a larger galvanized planter.  One with an oval shaped opening. 
​
Violet placed into an oval shaped planter, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
Once my real flowers were in place I simply filled out the planters with the faux flowers. 
​
Adding faux flowers to the planter boxes, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
AntiqueFarmHouse

​The final step was to add my cute little ceramic figurines.  They were originally a mustard yellow color but I wanted them a bit more neutral.  So I gave them a few coats of chalky finish paint in white. 
​
White ceramic bunny, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
There’s Mister Rooster hiding behind the hyacinth plant. I left his red parts a little transparent so we would know he was in fact a rooster. 
White ceramic rooster, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com

​Just look at the beauty of the Viola.  
​
Viola plant, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
Can you tell that the pink Carnation and the Aglaonema ‘Valentine‘ are not real?
​
Pink carnation and Aglaonema faux plants, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com

​And just look at the gorgeous shade of the Begonia. 
​
red begonia plant, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
Now to be fair if we add everything up the cost comes out a bit more than $10, but the plants were gifts so they don’t count. The total cost for bought items was in fact $8, all from the Dollar Tree. 

I am a happy camper, to be sure, now that I have a Dollar Tree nearby.  Remember back when I lived in Greece and all I did was complain about the lack of nice items at the local dollar store? I had no fall items to speak of ​when I made a wreath.  And let’s not forget the vignette fiasco!  Both of these really had me thinking outside the box!

Purple hyacinth flower, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com


​

But now I don’t have to hide in shame because I don’t naturally come by a green thumb.  Although I really have no excuse – my husband and dad are both excellent green thumbs, so it runs in the family!  You’d think some of that green would have rubbed off on me.
​
Real and faux flowers placed in three galvanized metal planter boxes, How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
Now that I have shown you how to fake a green thumb with this planter box idea, we brown thumbs can stand proud and not worry about our inability to keep plants healthy.  Okay, fess up how many of you are secret brown thumbs, and how often am I supposed to water the real plants?

Hop on below and visit my friends who are also going to show you their garden container ideas. 
​

Picture
Real and faux flowers placed in three galvanized metal planter boxes #fauxflowers #DollarStoreCrafts #Planterboxideas #fauxgreenthumb How to Fake A Green Thumb with this Planter Box Idea, www.theboondocksblog.com
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More planter box ideas:
A copper pot repurposed as a planter
Copper Pot as Planter

A grill repurposed as a planter box
Grill Planter Box

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa

    April 10, 2018 at 6:47 am

    Great job Mary. Your containers are so bright and cheerful. Enjoy your planters.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 10, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      Lisa with all these gloomy days a little flower power goes a long way!

      Reply
  2. Katie Mansfield

    April 10, 2018 at 7:31 am

    I don’t think you have a brown thumb at all. The real plants look pretty good to me. I knew Dollar Tree would have containers. It’s a great Ten on the 10th.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 10, 2018 at 12:09 pm

      Katie that’s because I haven’t tampered with them yet! But ask me to water them and that is when the trouble begins.

      Reply
  3. Tammy

    April 10, 2018 at 7:40 am

    Oh, my goodness. For someone who doesn’t garden your arrangement is beautiful. I haven’t seen those containers at the Dollar Tree but will definitely be looking for them. Great job!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 10, 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you Tammy, but that does not guarantee that I can keep them alive. 😉

      Reply
  4. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    April 10, 2018 at 7:56 am

    Even with a brown thumb you can still have beautiful flowers even if there not real. Love the galvanized buckets, they are perfect for your faux flowers, and those carnations do look real.
    I use to have a really green thumb, but lately it’s been turning brown. Just hope this year I have better luck with my garden

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      Good luck Linda, I just killed another one today. Now I’m asking my dear ole dad for advice.

      Reply
  5. [email protected]

    April 10, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Instant spring- I love it!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 11:02 pm

      I really had no choice Eilis, now lets hope those real flowers last a bit.

      Reply
  6. Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows

    April 10, 2018 at 8:18 am

    Hey there is a solution for everything and you found a pretty one, Mary! 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 11:05 pm

      Thanks so much Stacey, I cheated a bit, but honest, I had no other choice. Otherwise there would have been no post.

      Reply
  7. Carole @ From My Carolina Home

    April 10, 2018 at 8:19 am

    You did a great job, so pretty and looking like spring. I am so ready for warmer temperatures.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 11:24 pm

      So am I if only it would get here!

      Reply
  8. Patti @ Pandora's Box

    April 10, 2018 at 8:34 am

    Well, you certainly did a better job at “faking it”, than I! I love the idea of adding artificial flowers and that will be my new idea for this summer (if it ever comes!)

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 11:28 pm

      Patti I so related to your post. I kept on nodding my head as I was reading it.

      Reply
  9. Kim

    April 10, 2018 at 9:03 am

    Fabulous Mary! I am loving the combo of faux and real and those dollar store planters are so sweet. I actually picked a few of them up myself recently. Here’s hoping that spring shows up soon!

    Reply
    • Mary Kalpos

      April 16, 2018 at 11:32 pm

      Isn’t the dollar store the best here in the states? I look back at all the pathetic things I had in the dollar store in Greece and laugh in that dollar store’s face!

      Reply
  10. [email protected]

    April 10, 2018 at 9:11 am

    Lol For every problem, there’s a solution!
    Maybe you should tell your hubby to be the ‘plant guy’?
    I’m not really a green thumb but I do manage to keep plants alive. For the last few years I’ve had very few indoor plants anyway. The only thing we have right now is a basil plant lol. Maybe that will change when we move.
    xxx

    Reply
    • Mary Kalpos

      April 16, 2018 at 11:41 pm

      Doreen, I just killed the hyacinth. My dad said that is what they are supposed to do after a while but what do I know it looks dead to me. Basil plants are much easier to keep alive we had lots of them on the balcony back in Greece. It wasn’t summer unless there was a basil smell in the air.

      Reply
  11. Katerina Konstantinou

    April 10, 2018 at 10:15 am

    What a great idea Mary! Having a black thumb myself, fake flowers will do the trick!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 11:45 pm

      I totally agree Katerina and no one has to be the wiser.

      Reply
  12. Christa

    April 10, 2018 at 11:31 am

    What a brilliant idea. The garden looks lovely.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 16, 2018 at 11:52 pm

      Thank you Christa, as long as I don’t tell the truth we should be fine.

      Reply
  13. Sarah

    April 10, 2018 at 11:37 am

    Fun containers! I’m not usually one for faux flowers, but this is cute.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 12:01 am

      Sarah it was either the faux or bust! 😉

      Reply
  14. Debrashoppeno5

    April 10, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    The flowers are so pretty. I love the planters also. It all looks so lovely.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 12:08 am

      Thank you Debra, maybe some of that goodness will also rub off on my thumbs.

      Reply
  15. [email protected] lueskyatHome

    April 10, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    Mary, mixing the real and faux flowers is a brilliant idea. You could have fooled me! Love the galvanized containers, too. No green thumb necessary!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 12:50 am

      Thank you Carol for that vote of confidence!

      Reply
  16. FLORENCE

    April 10, 2018 at 11:33 pm

    The beauty of faux plants these days is so different. They really did used to look REALLY faux. Now they look real, and I can see why these would cheer you up. Now why can’t I ever find anything cute at MY Dollar Store? I like those galvanized containers too.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:02 am

      I used to complain about my dollar store in Greece but no more Florence. I am more than happy with the one here. The only problem is to drag me away.

      Reply
  17. Katrin

    April 11, 2018 at 1:15 am

    I always fake a green thumb too and it seems to be working! Now these planters are fun and you can change out the flowers, should they not make it for some reason ;). It looks pretty and Spring-y Mary, well done!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:06 am

      For some reason Katrin? That reason is my oh so not green thumb. You can bet they will not make it. Lol!

      Reply
  18. Leanna

    April 11, 2018 at 2:29 am

    You taught me something in this post. I had thought about putting faux and real flowers together, but thought they would make the faux flowers stand out as fake.
    I was wrong, your planter looks great.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:08 am

      Oh I am so happy to hear that. I think the quality of these flowers is getting better at the dollar store.

      Reply
  19. Christina Makri

    April 11, 2018 at 1:00 pm

    Your planters are gorgeous Mary! I love to mix faux and real flowers! Faux flowers look beautiful next to the real ones! You mixed them perfectly and all these colors!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:09 am

      That is what I’m starting to realize Christina. They can be mixed in together and no one is the wiser.

      Reply
  20. Marie

    April 11, 2018 at 1:50 pm

    First, I need a trip to Dollar Tree for those cute galvanized pots. I too profess to have a brown thumb but I’m loving your idea of mixing faux with real! Cute idea to add some figurines to the mix. Like you, I’m feeling quite bummed with the weather (more snowflakes today). I need something like this in my life NOW.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:12 am

      Run over to that dollar store and get some color into your life Marie. I’ve been getting rid of color in my house and instead have been watching the light and shadows. I must be losing it! The only real pops of color are the flowers and some awful brown furniture. Haha. But I’ll fix that soon enough.

      Reply
  21. Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things

    April 11, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    Those plants look so real!

    Reply
    • Mary Kalpos

      April 17, 2018 at 1:25 am

      Thank you so much Penny!

      Reply
  22. Laura

    April 11, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    Mary- you aren’t faking anything!
    What beautiful planters you created!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:27 am

      Aww thank you Laura, at least I’m being truthful about my fakeness! 😉

      Reply
  23. Debbie

    April 12, 2018 at 12:53 am

    Hi Mary, your gardening skills sound very much like mine, cactus are about the only plants that I have any success with and that’s only because they seem to thrive on neglect! Your faux flower planters look great and the fingers crossed the live plants stay that way too.
    xx

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:28 am

      We are like two peas in a pod Debbie.I also love plants that you can neglect.

      Reply
  24. Jemma

    April 12, 2018 at 8:01 am

    Mary,
    These galvanized containers are fabulous, they add such an interesting dimension to everything. I love all flowers, even faux! Great suggestions here for one and all.
    Jemma

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:33 am

      Thank you Jemma, now if I can only keep those real plants alive, even for a week.

      Reply
  25. Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle

    April 12, 2018 at 8:32 am

    Mary, your planter looks so good with a mixture of faux and real. My father was a wonderful gardener and I think I should be too. Alas I can’t keep anything alive. I do have two little things that I am coaxing to keep going, so far so good.
    Kathleen

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:35 am

      Kathleen my dad also has a wonderful green thumb. Why oh why will that gene not come down to us?

      Reply
  26. Jennifer Wise

    April 12, 2018 at 10:28 am

    I love this idea! I used to live in the Pacific Northwest and everything there grew like it was the garden of Eden. It wasn’t until I left that I learned that I actually have a brown thumb! So I really love this idea. I’ve done a little with fake plants, so I love your idea of combining live and fake. These are gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:38 am

      Jennifer I lived in Greece for 20 years which is like California weather and couldn’t grow anything. Maybe I should move to the Pacific Northwest.

      Reply
  27. Chas

    April 12, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    So cute Mary – Love it! Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:39 am

      Thank you Chas. Got to add some color somehow.

      Reply
  28. Jann Olson

    April 12, 2018 at 6:04 pm

    What a sweet planter! They do make some petty faux flowers now days. Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:41 am

      I was very impressed with these faux flowers.

      Reply
  29. bj

    April 12, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    Gosh…this is gorgeous. Those Dollar Tree fauxs look fabulous in with the real….great idea

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:43 am

      They seem to get better and better at confusing us.

      Reply
  30. Michele

    April 12, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    These are really pretty. I am SOOOO ready for spring! I do fine with planters of real flowers but in the summer sometimes it is difficult to keep them alive when you have to water everyday. I like the idea of mixing some real with some fake. If you put the fake ones toward the back no one would be the wiser!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:44 am

      I agree in the back they will fill out the planters and you won’t pay attention to my mistakes. 😉

      Reply
  31. Tianna

    April 13, 2018 at 12:41 pm

    such a cute idea for spring!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:49 am

      Thank you Tianna Spring needs all the help it can get!

      Reply
  32. Sharon

    April 13, 2018 at 1:34 pm

    I love those galvanized buckets. I wouldn’t paint them either. Your planters with a mix of real and faux turned out so pretty!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:50 am

      Thank you so much Sharon now if only we can fake the Spring weather.

      Reply
  33. Emily

    April 14, 2018 at 3:53 am

    Brilliant idea!!! Love the containers! Your planters turned out so cute!!
    ~Emily & Jennie @lecultivateur.com

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:52 am

      Thank you so much ladies.

      Reply
  34. maria

    April 14, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Nice challenge with good friends! Love what everyone did for $10. Great idea!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 1:56 am

      Maria it is always fun doing this challenge with these super creative ladies.

      Reply
  35. Cecilia

    April 15, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    Love your pretty colorful planters, Mary–even better when you can find the supplies at Dollar Tree! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 2:08 am

      I am making the most of the dollar tree now that I have it near by.

      Reply
  36. Julie

    April 16, 2018 at 9:46 am

    You know what they say Mary, fake it till you make it!!!
    I love the idea of mixing real and fake flowers, I have an orchid plant that’s just leaves now so I poked a fake flower stem in the pot with it – looks ok. You have totally taken it to the next level!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 17, 2018 at 2:09 am

      Julie I’m never gonna make it, only break it. haha.

      Reply
  37. Cathy Sokolowski

    April 20, 2018 at 8:52 am

    I just used fake flowers for the first time. I’m telling myself that they are a placeholder for the real flowers I will eventually plant. It was so nice to see someone else using them but yours look so much better even though we bought our flowers at the same place! I am going to buy some more and rearrange mine now. Guess I won’t be needing real flowers now!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 21, 2018 at 7:57 pm

      Cathy I am so happy to hear that you like my idea. My dad was telling me the other day he wanted me to help him with the flowers, and I just looked at him in dismay and told him I will kill them if you let me near them. I do not have a green thumb to save my life. So glad this is an option.

      Reply
  38. Keri

    April 20, 2018 at 10:19 am

    Mary, that’s a clever idea. I think that’s a great way to add some spring color to your home. Your kids are so sweet to get you flowers.

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 21, 2018 at 8:09 pm

      Thanks Keri, let’s hope I can keep them alive for a week or so.

      Reply
  39. Karren Haller

    April 26, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    This is such a clever idea, I have a place that would be to hot for live flowers, this would work great.
    I missed hosting Friday Features last week, but I’m back in full swing with lots of fun ideas and your being featured!!
    Hope you will stop by and share again!!
    Happy Weekend!
    Karren~

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 26, 2018 at 11:02 pm

      Thank you so much Karren you can be sure I’ll be there tomorrow.

      Reply

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