Newspaper Pots for Seed-Starting

You can grow dozens of new plants to fill your yard and garden with great flavors and bright colors for the cost of just a few packets of seed. And you don’t even need to pay for seed trays or planting pots. Grab a few sections of newspaper out of the recycling bin, and in just a few minutes, you can turn them into perfect containers for starting seeds.

Newspaper seed starting pots are easy to make, and great for seedlings too. They are fun and quick to make, and you don’t have to be crafty for this DIY project. In this tutorial, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make both round and square newspaper pots for seedlings.

Gather Supplies and Start Folding

You’ll need one sheet of newspaper (each roughly 22″ x 12″) for each pot you want to make, one 10- to 15-ounce can, moistened seed-starting soil, and a waterproof tray. Start by folding the sheet of newspaper lengthwise (with the long edges together) to create a strip. Press along the folded edge.

Create a Cylinder

Set the can on its side at one end of the strip, with the base about 2 inches up from the cut edge. Roll the newspaper around the can to create a cylinder.

Create the Base

Starting at the outer seam, fold the free end of the cylinder inward. Make three more folds inward to create the base of the pot, pressing firmly to make the folds as flat as possible

Remove the Can and Fold Edges

Slip the pot off of the can or bottle. Starting at the outer seam, fold the top 1/2 to 1 inch of the pot inward to create a stable rim. 

Add Soil and Plant Seeds

Hold the pot with one hand, with some of your fingers on the bottom to keep it closed. Fill the finished pot to the top with moistened seed-starting medium and set it in a waterproof tray. Repeat the steps to make as many “pots” as desired. Plant a seed or two in each pot, then gather all the pots onto a tray and water. When you’re ready to plant the seedlings, dig a hole deep enough to bury the pot so the rim is below the soil surface; exposed newspaper could help wick water away from the plant. In moist soil, the roots will quickly grow through the paper sides of the pot.