DIY Plant Markers: 5 Easy Ideas That Last

I used to write plant names on popsicle sticks with a Sharpie. By July, the sun had bleached the ink invisible, the wood had warped, and I was staring at twenty identical containers trying to remember which herb was which. Cilantro and parsley look suspiciously similar when they are seedlings, and mixing them up in a recipe is a culinary disaster waiting to happen.

After that season of mystery plants, I started experimenting with DIY markers that actually survive weather. Here are the five best ideas I have tested.

1. Wine Cork Stakes

Push a bamboo skewer into the bottom of a wine cork and write the plant name on the cork with permanent marker. Seal with a coat of clear nail polish to protect the writing from rain. These last an entire season and look charmingly rustic. Plus, they give you an excellent excuse to drink more wine for gardening supplies.

2. Painted Stones

Flat river stones painted with acrylic paint and sealed with outdoor varnish are nearly indestructible. Paint the stone a light base color, write or paint the plant name on top, and seal with two coats of clear spray varnish. These sit on the soil surface and double as decorative accents. They are heavy enough that wind will never move them.

3. Wooden Spoon Markers

Cheap wooden cooking spoons from the dollar store make surprisingly elegant plant markers. Write or burn the plant name onto the spoon bowl and push the handle into the soil. A coat of exterior wood sealant extends their life to two or three seasons. The wide spoon surface gives you plenty of room for the plant name plus planting date or variety information.

4. Terracotta Pot Shard Labels

Broken terracotta pots are free plant markers. Snap a shard into a pointed shape, write on it with a paint pen or permanent marker, and push the pointed end into soil. They look completely natural in a garden setting and last indefinitely since terracotta is weatherproof. If you do not have broken pots, buy the cheapest small terracotta pot and break it on purpose. No judgment.

5. Stamped Metal Tags

For a permanent solution, buy blank aluminum tags and a set of metal letter stamps. Stamp plant names into the soft aluminum, thread onto wire or a key ring, and attach to the pot or a stake. These last forever, look professional, and make excellent gifts for gardening friends.