Don't want to haul those soft drink cans off to recycling? Instead, make this adorable upcycled soda can flowers project to hang on your garden wall! A great way to show your creative side while also being able to reuse something that otherwise would have been thrown away. The vibrant colors and simple steps make this a great addition to your crafting list this spring or summer!

Soda Can Flowers

You may have seen these in gardens or even in home decor stores, and they can be super-pricey. Instead, make your own little metal flowers using soda cans. All you need are empty cans, some paint, and scissors. In a few steps, you have a fun and whimsical idea that will decorate your garden or just a wall inside of your house.

You will adore how easy these flowers are to make. Make one or make a dozen and use them as gifts or just a fun way to decorate. I love that you can customize the colors so easily to suit your home decor or the colors of flowers in your actual garden. If you have more cans lying around after this, here is a great list of soda can craft ideas!

What Do I Do To Get Rid of Sharp Edges on Aluminum Pieces?

If you are concerned about the sharp edges on your aluminum cans, you can use a file or sandpaper to smooth them down. You can also use a hot glue gun to seal the edges. We simply cut a curved edge with scissors. It works just fine when you will be hanging them and not touching them regularly. If you plan to use it in a "bouquet", you may want to smooth the edges a bit more.

What Paint Works Best on Aluminum Soda Cans?

I love to use spray paint when painting aluminum soda cans because it is easy, cheap, and the fastest way to paint. However, if you want to use acrylic paint, it will work and stick to them nicely. Using acrylic crafting paint lets you add more detail and control where the paint is placed.

If you find that the paint is not sticking well, either the acrylic or the spray paint, try roughing up the surface of the cans. You can use sandpaper to scratch up the surface of the cans so the paint has something to stick to.

For more detail, you can spray paint and then use a stencil or freehand designs using acrylic paint. I like this idea for giving the flowers a little more personality.

How Should I Display These in My Garden?

There are a few different ways that you can display your upcycled soda can flowers in your garden. One way is to hang them from shepherd's hooks or tree branches. Another way is to glue them to stakes and place them on the ground.

You could also create a mobile by attaching them to a hanger. Another idea is to make a wreath by hot gluing them to a grapevine wreath form, but this might require a bit smaller can and flower. Whatever way you choose to display them, they are sure to add a touch of whimsy to your garden.

Of course, my favorite way to show these is to hang them on a fence in the garden. It just adds a fun bit of whimsy to the space and a pop of color to an otherwise boring place in the garden.

Can I Customize My Flowers Differently?

Yes! There are so many ways that you can customize your upcycled soda can flowers. The most obvious thing is to pain them in any color you prefer. These just happened to be the bright colors I already had on hand, but you can easily use different shades in neon, bright, classic, or even pastels.

Other options include some of the following:

Use a small paintbrush to add swirls of opposite colors and detail along with the petals of the flowers.
Change the shape of the petals by cutting the ends into scallops or points. You can even use a pen or pencil to help you curl the ends inward or backward.
Add buttons, beads, or glitter to the center of the flowers to give them a little extra pizzazz.
Add stems to the flowers using pipe cleaners, floral wire, or similar for small flowers or even painted wood garden stakes for larger flowers.

Supplies Needed

How to Make Soda Can Flowers

Begin by rinsing out the soda cans and then letting them dry. Once they are dry, you will then use a knife or scissors to cut off the top (tab end) of the soda can. Discard this, leaving just the can. If needed, you can rinse it out now as well.

Now, create the petals of your flower by making cuts from the top to the edge of the bottom, every 1" around the top of the can. Cut all the way down to the top of the base of the can, leaving it attached, but split down the sides. Carefully, lay these side pieces down flat so the center is exposed and creates a flower shape.

Use scissors to shape the ends of each petal to be rounded or the desired shape.

Now, spray the center of the flower a light color, such as white or yellow, and let it dry.

Once the center is dry, cover that space with a piece of paper, then spray the petals a different color.

Repeat this for all of your flowers mixing and matching colors to create your own unique "bouquet".

Hang them on a wall, in your garden, or on trees with a hook.

More Easy Flower Crafts

Flowers are one of my favorite things in life. They are beautiful, reflect nature, smell good, and just make me happy. Making fake flowers is always a fun project for me. Whether it's a wreath, some flowers made of paper, or even yarn flowers, you'll love the ideas below to add to your home decor! Make sure that you bookmark these ideas, print out the tutorials, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon.

Fanicful Upcycled Soda Can Flowers

Make these adorable soda can flowers with just a few supplies! A great way to upcycled empty soft drink cans!

Active Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

Tools

Scissors

Instructions

Carefully cut the top tab end of the soda cans off and discard them. If desired, you can rinse and dry the inside of the cans at this point.
Now, every 1" around the can, cut down to the base, leaving the piece attached but dangling.
Continue until you have cut all around the can.
Carefully lay the sides down so they create the flower look.
Then, use scissors to cut off the ends, rounding them to look more like flower petals without the jagged edges.
Spray the middle of the flower with a lighter color of paint (yellow and white).
Once the middle has dried, cover the center with a bit of paper.
Then spray the petals with your desired color of spray paint.
Set these aside and let them dry completely before hanging on the wall or in your garden.