How to Make Concrete & Perlite Flower Pots

Concrete planters add a rustic look to home garden spaces.

Add rustic charm to home landscaped gardens or patio spaces by making concrete flowerpots. Mixing the concrete with perlite and peat moss opens the pores of the concrete to assist with moisture control and lightens the weight of the flowerpot. Use the completed concrete flowerpot as a growing space for miniature or trailing plant varieties. Work quickly with the mixed concrete to prevent it from clumping or drying prematurely while making the flowerpot.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard boxes
• Nylon tarp
• Peat moss
• Plastic mixing tub
• ¾-inch wire fencing mesh
• Wire clipper
• Mason trowel
• Wooden dowel
• Tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Paint or stain (optional)
• Concrete sealer

Instructions

1. Build a mold for the flowerpot by finding a cardboard box with the exterior dimensions desired and an interior box that has the dimensions desired for the opening. The interior box must create a minimum 1-inch gap between the exterior and interior walls to create a sturdy flowerpot wall.

2. Create a work area in a protected location with adequate ventilation. Lay a nylon tarp or drop cloth on a flat surface to assist with cleanup and mess control.

3. Prepare the concrete by mixing two parts concrete with three parts perlite and three parts peat moss. Add water and mix the ingredients until the mix is the consistency of cottage cheese or a thick brownie mixture.

4. Cut a piece of ¾-inch wire fencing mesh so it is slightly smaller than the dimension of the bottom of the exterior box mold. Pour a 1-inch layer of the concrete mixture into the bottom of the large box mold and place the piece of wire mesh on top to add structural support. Pour 1-inch of the concrete over top of the wire mesh and smooth with a trowel.

5. Create drainage holes in the bottom of the flowerpot by poking five sections of wooden dowel cut to a length of 4 inches evenly around the bottom of the flower pot. Leave the dowels in the concrete mixture until the flowerpot is completely dry.

6. Prepare the interior box mold by folding the top box flaps to the inside of the box and taping them in place. Set the box inside the large exterior box so the open top is facing downward on top of the bottom layer of concrete.

7. Cut pieces of wire mesh so they are slightly smaller than each side dimension of the large exterior box. Place the wire mesh sections into the box so they are centered between the sidewall gaps.

8. Fill the side gaps with the concrete mixture by scooping it into the gap between the wire mesh supports and pushing it down into the mold with a stick to limit air pocket formation. Smooth the top edge with a trowel.

9. Cover the flowerpot with a piece of plastic and let the concrete dry for two days. Move the flowerpot to a dry location for two to four weeks to allow it to cure.

10. Remove the cardboard mold from the flowerpot and pull out the wood dowels used to create drainage holes. Paint or stain the flowerpot if desired. Apply a concrete sealer to the interior and exterior surface prior to placing plants inside.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a dust mask and eye protection when working with concrete powder, as it has fine particles that can cause health problems if inhaled.

References

• Fine Gardening: Make a Hypertufa Trough
• The Schuldler Company: Hypertufa

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish