Hello Remodelaholics! Today I’m back with a really fun diy project. All you need is some cement mix, molds (aka old dishes or containers) and your imagination. The sky’s the limit with what you can do with this project.
I’ve been wanting to do some really big cement planters for under my new garage lights for some time now but I decided to see if I could successfully make a smaller scale model before I tackle the larger version.
Ta-da!
To get started on your DIY cement planters, you’ll need some cement mix. (Make sure you get cement and not concrete mix). Depending on how smooth or textured you want your end result to look you can add Peat Moss and/or Perlite to your mixture but those things are totally optional. I found some really great cement recipes on the Garden Glove that you can experiment with.
For my mixture I went for a semi-textured look so used one part peat moss to one part cement. The amount of water is an eyeball thing. What I figured out is the more water you use the thinner and more runny the consistency (duh). The result of a runnier mixture is that you have less air bubbles which makes for a smoother finish but it takes a LONG TIME to cure and harden. I mixed everything in a big bucket and added water a little at a time until the mixture seemed right. At first I used a long paint stir stick but that became time consuming and I ended up just sticking my hand in (make sure and wear a rubber glove) and got good and dirty.
When experimenting with using cement for the first time I decided to try my hand at several different projects. I really just wanted to do some small planters but while treasure hunting at a thrift store I found a light fixture with three glass fixtures at a thrift store for $5.00. Garden Glove featured Garden Balls (that almost sounds naughty) made out of glass globes so I decided to give it a try.
After filling the globes with my cement mixture I gave them several good thumps to help it settle and release air bubbles. After it had dried for about 24 hours I put the one globe at a time in a garbage bag, and gently tapped it on the sidewalk to break the glass away from the cement sphere inside. Wear gloves to remove excess glass.
To my surprise it worked! The snow literally just melted, otherwise I would have put them in a bed of foliage but for now…dead, frozen winter ground is the best I could give you.
Now this is where working with cement gets fun. Anything you can think of you can pretty much create with cement. I’ve collected old jars, glasses, etc. that I used for my cement molds. You could even use milk cartons, old plastic food containers, you name it, you could probably use it. Make sure to coat the mold generously with cooking spray so it will release when ready. If not, you’ll have to break your containers to get your creation out.
One of the other reasons I would recommend using a runnier mixture is this situation right here. I used a rather clumpy/thick mixture which caused the edges that were exposed to never self-level and I was left with uneven lip. Luckily I was able to catch it before it was totally dry and I used a knife to shave down the edge smooth.
More shaving on this one.
Perfect personalized, inexpensive gift!
If you’d like to see more you can also check out directions on making Hypertufa pots posted on Remodelaholic.
If you liked this project you’ll definitely like our DIY Terrarium with complete instructions!
To see more projects and renovations from 4men1lady, hop on over to our blog!
1: Hypertufa Cement Pots. Make a lighter-weight concrete planter with a natural stone look by making a hypertufa mix following the instructions here.
2: Concrete Plant Pots and Garden Globes. Use old plastic containers to make gift-sized concrete pots and upcycle an old globe light to make a garden globe.
3: Modular Concrete Mini Planters with DIY Molds. Recycle cardboard to make your own concrete mold (instructions here) and make a set of these modular mini planters for a desk or wall planter. The added gold edging is beautiful!
4: Tall Outdoor Concrete Planter. This is the big kahuna! Learn to use concrete dye to tint the planter a different color and how to make your own large concrete form from melamine, including adding a decorative detail.
5: Easy Freeform Concrete Planter. Create a whimsical slouchy bag style planter using materials you have around the house.
Let your yard’s flora shine with some of these other DIY planter ideas:
Cinder Block Planter
(plus more cement home and garden ideas)
Stenciled Wooden Planter
(plus more hexagon projects)
Mailbox Trellis Planter
(and more mailbox DIYs)
Porch Planter with House Number
(and more friendly porch ideas)
Oh my these are so cute – so simple, yet so chic. I love it. Can’t wait to try to make it.