Living in Mexico City has been a treat. Any time you step into a new home, you are surrounded by plants, on tables, on shelves, with dangling leaves tapered on the wall hung by clips. The temperate climate here permits a beautiful growing space for indoor plants. On top of that, plants are incredibly affordable.
Where to Buy Plants
Off topic, but one of the best places to buy plants, pots, dirt, fertilizer, plant accessories, etc. is the Cuemanco Plant and Flower Market in Xochimilco. You can find more info here. I recommend going with a friend who has a car. If that’s not an option, bring a tarp. When you call your Uber XL (you’re going to need this LOL), you can he helpful and kind by using the tarp not to dirty their vehicle.
A smaller market in Roma Norte that I occasionally buy plants from is Mercado Medellín. Some will say Mercado Jamaica is also a good spot, but I find it’s more of a flower market than a plant market.
Growing Plants in Jars
One of my favorite decorations in my apartment is growing plants – especially pothos and philodendron in glass jars. It’s such a beautiful way to take up space on a windowsill. I even have hanging wooden boxes outside attached to the railing with glass potters full of pothos.
They started out there because their mother plant was infected with mealy bugs. I dissected smaller sections of the plant with the root, cleaned it thoroughly and put them in quarantine outside. It still took a long time to rid the mealy bugs and I’m nervous to bring them back inside, but I’m happy with them there!
Where to Find Glass Jars
Ahh, the point of writing this article. In the USA, I would just order some same-day delivery mason jars from Amazon, which of course, you can do here in Mexico too (but mason jars are expensive for some reason).
You can one-by-one collect your own glass jar from pasta jars, wine bottles, kombucha bottles, spice jars, pickle or sauerkraut jars, jam or jelly jars, honey jars, perfume bottles (rinsed well), garbanzo bean jar, capers jar, drinking glasses or old mugs.
If you need glass jars quickly, Semilla Selecta is a local refill shop that sells simple and well-priced jars. You may also be able to find some donated jars here too. You could try local mercados or thrift markets for some cool finds.
Now, I have 50 empty glass jars – Oops!
If you’re like me, you collect these glass jars and don’t have enough plants to fill them. For a short time, I ended up throwing away glass jar (which made my soul ache) because I wasn’t sure what else to do with them – recycling is another story here.
I found a few different ways to re-home these glass jars!
- Refill stores like Semilla Selecta have a little basket for customers to donate or take jars. I sometimes drop off plastic jars too, but they aren’t as sought after. Botánica Granel: Located in Colonia Roma, this bulk store promotes recycling and may accept clean glass jars for reuse. Zero Market: In Colonia Condesa, this zero-waste store encourages container reuse and might be interested in taking your jars. The Green Corner: With several branches across the city, this organic and sustainable store might accept glass jars for recycling projects.
- Thrift/antique markets may have some cool, unique jars you could use. There is a nice antique market in Colonia Doctores every Saturday and Sunday at Jardín Dr. Ignacio Chavez.
- Recycling/Barter Events. Mercado de Trueque (Barter Market): Organized by Mexico City’s Environmental Ministry (SEDEMA), this monthly event lets you exchange recyclables for agricultural products. While it focuses on paper, cardboard, and PET, you can ask if they accept glass jars. Reciclatrón: Also organized by SEDEMA, this program primarily collects electronic waste, but sometimes accepts other materials. Check their calendar to see if upcoming events accept glass jars.
- Creative Recycling Projects. Cerrando el Ciclo (“Closing the Cycle”): This project transforms glass bottles into products like cups and clocks, promoting environmental awareness and providing employment opportunities to women in vulnerable situations. You can contact them to donate your jars and support their cause.
- Urban Gardens and Eco Collectives. Huerto Roma Verde: Located in Colonia Roma, this community space promotes urban agriculture and sustainability. You can donate jars for use in plant propagation or ecological workshops. Huerto Tlatelolco: In the Tlatelolco area, this urban garden may also be interested in receiving glass jars for their activities.
- Online Groups and Communities. Facebook Marketplace and local groups: Post in groups like “Trueque CDMX” or “Reciclaje Creativo CDMX” offering your jars. Many people are looking for these containers for personal projects. Freecycle and Trash Nothing: Platforms where you can give away things you no longer need so others can repurpose them. Expat groups on Facebook and Whatsapp always love to gift and receive glass jars.
Reusing glass bottles isn’t just a sustainable choice—it’s a creative act that turns everyday waste into something beautiful and functional. As Millennials, many of us are embracing the luxury of slow living, thoughtful consumption, and a little DIY flair. Whether you’re growing new plant babies, scouting for unique jars at a weekend market, or giving your extras a second life through donation, every little effort adds up. Let’s keep reimagining what we already have—and keep the cycle of reuse alive and thriving.
