If you’re planting from seed, consider natural, eco-friendly options—especially when sprouting or storing seeds.
Want to skip the usual pots and balcony boxes and stick to sustainable, creative solutions? Here are some fantastic ideas for biodegradable seed holders that not only help the planet but also save you money and make your gardening easier.
Look around your home or garden—you’ll surely find something you can repurpose for planting! And if you can, get the kids involved in this creative project. It’s a fun way to boost their fine motor skills and creativity while spending quality, joyful time together.
1. Toilet Paper Roll
Toilet paper rolls are fully compostable, so once your seedlings are ready, you can plant them directly in the ground without removing them. Perfect for sprouting tomatoes and peppers, and great for smaller plants too. They’re easy to use, free, and eco-friendly.
To use, cut the bottom of the roll slightly in four places and fold the flaps inward to close it like a little box. Fill it with seed-starting or potting soil, then plant your seeds. Place a plastic tray underneath to catch watering runoff.
2. Egg Carton
Egg cartons break down easily in soil, so you can plant your seedlings along with the carton once they’re ready. They make excellent mini seed trays, perfect for different herbs or small flower seeds.
Bonus: you can cut them apart to organize different seeds separately, or keep them whole for convenience.
3. Eggshells
Eggshells are 100% natural and biodegradable seed starters that also enrich soil with calcium—a real win for seedlings and seed planting. They work perfectly as tiny pots, just the right size for a few seeds.
Make sure to use clean shells—wash out any raw yolk or white before planting. Fill with soil and seeds, and water gently with a spray bottle. Poke a few small holes in the bottom for drainage.
4. Paper Cup
Don’t toss those leftover paper cups from last week’s party—they make excellent sprouting cups. If they’re not plastic-lined, they break down quickly in soil, making them eco-friendly and budget-wise.
Paper cups are a great alternative to pots, helping you shrink your eco-footprint and protect nature. Like eggshells, poke a few small holes in the bottom for drainage.
Fill with good-quality potting soil and plant your seeds. Keep them moist and in a slightly humid spot with enough sunlight. Since paper cups are roomier than rolls or eggshells, you can grow larger seedlings like zucchini, peppers, or lettuce comfortably.
