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Making Concrete Planters at Home

Sonia Nair
Planters made of concrete are ideal for growing plants, and are equally sturdy and attractive. Here are some tips to make concrete planters on your own.
We all know that, planters are those containers that are used for growing plants. Nowadays, planters come in various sizes, shapes and styles, and are made of different materials.
You can find small pots for growing single plants, or window box planters that house several plants. While tall planters are used for growing deep-rooted plants, shallow ones are preferred for plants with shallow roots. You can also find trellis planters, hanging planters and deck railing planters.
Planters can be of plastic, terracotta, clay and concrete. Being weather resistant, terracotta, concrete and stone planters are used outdoors, whereas plastic, polyresin and fiber planters are kept indoors. Concrete planters are much valued for their looks, sturdiness and durability.
They are perfect for outdoor plants, but can be used for growing indoor plants too. The modern concrete planters come in different designs and styles. While these decorative planters are expensive, they are also heavy enough to move from one place to another. You may also make concrete planters on your own.

Homemade Concrete Planters

You can make concrete planters at home, at a surprisingly low price. Apart from that, such planters can be made as per your requirement. Follow the guidelines for making such planters on your own.
In order to make concrete planters, you need concrete mix, concrete dye (optional), trowel, and plastic pipes with one inch diameter. You need two containers of same shape. One should be a little bit smaller than the other.
  • Spray oil over the inner surfaces of the larger container and the outer surfaces of the smaller container. This facilitates easy removal of the planter, once it is made. You may also apply wax, instead of oil.
  • It is always better to use square-shaped containers as molds for making planters. You may also use plywood boxes or concrete planter molds.
  • Prepare concrete mix as per the instructions of the manufacturer. Once made, it should have the consistency of cake batter. You may also make concrete mix from scratch, by combining equal parts of concrete, perlite and peat moss, with sufficient water.
  • If you like colored concrete planters than plain ones, add concrete dye to the mixture. Make sure to add the color, while you mix the concrete.
  • Take the big container and fill its bottom with the concrete. This layer must have a thickness of at least one inch. A base layer with a thickness of two inches is always preferred for large planters.
  • Immerse two to three plastic pipes into the base layer. The length of the pipes and the thickness of the base layer must be the same, so that these pipes will serve the purpose of drainage.
  • Use a trowel to smooth the areas surrounding the pipes, and place the smaller container in the center of the larger one. Press the base of the inner container gently.
  • The next step is to fill the gaps on the four sides. You have to fill the space created between the smaller and the larger container on all the four sides. Fill concrete and press it occasionally, so that no vacuum is created inside. Smooth the edges with the trowel and leave the mold for setting.
  • As you wait for the concrete to set, it will be better to keep it moist. After 24 hours, remove the containers to expose your homemade concrete planter. Keep the planter damp for at least a week, before you start using it.
It will be better to start with molds of regular shapes, for making concrete planters. Once you gain expertise in this task, you can try intricate styles and designs. You may also think of making some concrete planters for sale.