How To DIY Beautiful One-Of-A-Kind Plant Stakes With Stained Glass

Plant stakes are one of those behind-the-scenes garden helpers you don't think about until you need them. They quietly keep plants upright, prevent delicate stems from flopping, and give young flowers or vegetables the support they need while they're finding their footing. But who says practical has to be plain? If you're going to stake your plants, why not take some stained glass pieces and repurpose a few household staples to make fun and easy garden decor? 

One creative approach is a stained glass plant stake — a functional support that doubles as garden jewelry. This handmade stake catches the sunlight and twinkles with brilliant color, turning even the most ordinary patch of soil into a showcase. Unlike traditional wooden or plastic stakes that blend into the background, this one-of-a-kind piece acts as art in the landscape, drawing the eye whether or not your plants are in bloom. Imagine a pop of ruby red, emerald green, or sapphire blue shimmering beside your garden phlox or tomatoes. You might even reconsider using a tomato cage in favor of this type of sparkly stake instead. It's the kind of extra touch that makes your outdoor space feel both personal and inspired.

To take on this project, you're going to need foiled stained glass pieces, a trusty rod (metal barbecue skewers work well), some copper foil, flux, solder, and pins. The number of glass pieces you'll need will vary depending on your design — for example, the butterfly shown uses four pieces, but you could create a sun, mushroom, flower, or any other shape you like. First, cut off the blunt end of your skewer and give it a little bend for style. Then, measure how much of that skewer you need to foil, wrap it up tight, and burnish it until it's smooth and snug.

Now, brush some flux on the stained glass piece or pieces you're soldering and the end of the skewer you just foiled. Arrange the glass on the stake and start soldering; you can secure the stake and glass to a wooden work table for additional support and steadiness if needed. Once one side is done, flip it over to add more flux and solder the other side. 

Layer on that solder until the stake is rock-solid attached. Finish it off with some hobby came and curled wire for the butterfly antennae, and then your stained glass garden stake is ready to poke proudly in your planter or garden bed. Stylish, sturdy, and totally you. While this artful trick works for shorter plants, help your taller plants thrive with this game-changing pool noodle trick.