glow in the dark planters diy

Glow in The Dark Planters DIY – A Guide to Creating Magical Nighttime Garden Accents

Glow in the dark planters are a fun and unique way to add a magical ambiance to your outdoor or indoor space once the sun goes down. The mesmerizing luminous pots create a gorgeous moongarden effect at night.

If you’ve seen those viral Pinterest photos of vivid neon glowing planters and wanted to DIY something similar at home, you may be wondering if it’s really possible to create an affordable glowing container garden. While high-end lighted planters certainly do the trick, can you make budget-friendly DIY glow in the dark planters that actually work?

I’ve experimented with several methods for making DIY glow in the dark planters, from glow paint to clever lighting hacks Read on for a complete guide to creating your own gorgeous glowing planter accents.

Glow Paint – Does It Really Work?

When searching Pinterest and forums for glow in the dark planter DIY ideas, the most popular suggestion is using glow in the dark spray paint Brands like Rust-Oleum make paint that absorbs light during the day and emits a luminous glow at night

This seems like an easy affordable way to make brilliant glowing pots, but does it actually produce that vivid eye-catching effect?

The short answer – not really. While the glow paint does faintly glow in complete darkness, the effect is extremely subtle and underwhelming. It definitely doesn’t look anything like those jaw-dropping photos

The problem is most glow spray paint is designed for indoor crafts, not durable outdoor use. The glow is only visible in pitch blackness and quickly fades. Using it on planters outdoors or even in a well-lit room is disappointing. You’ll end up with dark pots that don’t glow.

If hoping for truly glowing planters, I’d skip the regular glow in the dark spray paint. But there are better options using specialty UV reactive paint…

Specialized UV Glow Paint

While standard glow in the dark spray paint doesn’t work well, there are specialty UV reactive paints designed for outdoor use that perform better.

These absorb sunlight during the day and release it slowly at night, creating a nice visible glow in low light conditions. Though pricier, they can create a cool luminous effect on planters.

Some top UV glow paint options are:

• Solar Active Glow Powder – Mix with clear coat sealant for wood, metal, stone, etc.

• Wildfire UV Glow Paint – Vivid neon colors for outdoor decor.

• GlowPaint – All-natural glow paint that charges faster and lasts longer.

Follow label directions closely for best results. Apply multiple coats to maximize the glow. Place in direct sun to charge.

The paints can add nice luminous accents, but still don’t glow nearly as bright as commercial light-up planters.

Glow Stones & Crystals

For an easy DIY, use decorative glow pebbles or crystals in your planters. These contain phosphorescent minerals that absorb and emit light.

Simply mix the pebbles into soil or top dress pots. Charge them in sunlight and they’ll cast a soft glowing aura after dark.

Popular options:

• Glow stones – Various bright neon colors

• Aurora crystals – Glowing quartz crystals

• Aquarium gravel – Cheap neon pebbles

While not as bright as LEDs, these add affordable luminous accents to any container garden.

Solar Lights

Small solar lights offer an inexpensive way to make pots glow at night. Position solar spotlights or path lights around the container, and let the sun power the LEDs after dark.

Pros:

• Inexpensive

• Easy to position lights where desired

• Solar power means no wires

Cons:

• Can look cluttered

• Glow is concentrated in spots

But it’s a quick, affordable way to make containers glow without complicated wiring.

Battery Fairy Lights

For a more uniform glow, wrap planters with battery-operated fairy lights. Opt for micro-LEDs on copper wire to easily twist around pots.

Use timer stakes to automatically turn on at night. Or choose solar string lights to avoid fussy batteries.

Benefits:

• Softer, more even light

• Endless wrapping possibilities

• Set on timers for hands-off convenience

Downside is the lights are visible in daylight. But come nighttime your containers will glow!

LED Self-Luminous Planters

To achieve that stunning viral ambiance, your best bet is to invest in commercial LED self-luminous planters.

These have waterproof LED lighting integrated into the planter wall, powered by batteries or USB. The result is an even glow across the entire surface.

Options range from inexpensive plastic pots under $20, up to high-end designer stone planters costing hundreds. While not cheap, the beautiful luminous effects can’t be beat!

DIY Glowing Planter Ideas

Here are some fun ways to use glowing planters for maximum impact:

• Line a pathway or garden border for dramatic ambiance

• Flank entrance doors or steps for gorgeous accents

• Cluster in a shady garden spot to create a magical grotto

• Blend colors for custom palettes

• Mix heights and shapes for interest

• Use waterproof pots as pool floats

• Indoors, use as nightlights or display houseplants

Safety Tips

When lighting up your yard after dark, follow these basic safety tips:

• Use battery-powered lights whenever possible.

• Bury cords and wires to avoid tripping hazards.

• Check lighting frequently and replace batteries.

• Place planters away from high traffic areas.

• Use a GFCI outlet if plugging in near water.

Let Your Imagination Shine!

While DIY glow paint doesn’t quite live up to the hype, there are many creative ways to craft brilliant glowing planters on a budget.

Think beyond just spray paint. With a few well-placed solar lights, glow stones, or LEDs, you can easily make container gardens that shine magically after the sun dips below the horizon.

Be inspired to use these illuminating accents to inject a dose of moonlit magic into your landscape! Your neighbors will be envious of your glowing green thumb.