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    Home » Gardening

    How to Make a Freeform Hypertufa Planter

    May 1, 2016 by Patti Estep 23 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card

    Learn to make a freeform hypertufa planter with this easy tutorial. These rustic looking containers are perfect for succulents and shallow rooted plants.

    Hypertufa planted containers ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planters ~ gardenmatter.com

    I've been itching to make a hypertufa planter for some time now. There are tons of tutorials and recipes all over the web. One in particular from Blue Fox Farm mentioned these small "pinch pots" made without molds, and that is what inspired me to try and make a freeform hypertufa planter.

    Freeform Hypertufa Planter Tutorial

    These are very rustic and easy to make.  The hardest part was waiting for them to "cure" before planting. Every article I read says you need to let them cure for a minimum of 2 - 4 weeks. I let mine cure for the full 4 weeks.

    Hypertufa Materials ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planters ~ gardenmatter.com

    Materials

    Portland Cement - 1 part
    Peat Moss - 1 1/2 parts
    Vermiculite - 1 1/2 parts
    Dust Mask
    Latex Gloves
    Large Plastic Mixing Container
    Dryer Cleaner bags or other plastic bags
    Rocks for weight
    Plastic container for measuring material like an old takeout soup container or sour cream container

    Combine the cement, peat moss and vermiculite in a large plastic tub. For the seven planters I made, I used 2 containers of cement and 3 containers of the peat moss and vermiculite. Then slowly add water and mix with your hands.

    Don't forget to wear a mask and good latex gloves.

    Ball of Hypertufa Mix ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planters ~ gardenmatter.com

    Add enough water until you can make a ball with the mix that holds together, but is not soggy.

    Hypertufa Wrapped in Plastic ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planters ~ gardenmatter.com

    Place a handful on a dry cleaners bag and shape it into the desired shape. Fold the plastic over and weigh it down with a rock. Let them sit in a shady spot for 2 days.

    Scraping Hypertufa ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planter ~ gardenmatter.com

    After two days they will be firm enough to hold their shape, but still soft enough to carve or add texture. I used a wire brush, and a metal scraper to dig out some of the interior and shape up the bottoms and sides.

    Re-wrap the hypertufa and set aside for 2 to 4 weeks to cure, checking occasionally to mist or wet them.

    Cured Hypertufa Planter ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planter ~ gardenmatter.com

    Now they are ready to plant. Use a light soilless potting mix, and choose ground covers and shallow rooted plants. Rock garden, alpine plants, succulents, and moss are good choices.

    Hypertufa with sempervivum & moss ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planter ~ gardenmatter.com

    Hypertufa with moss and sweet woodruff ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planter ~ gardenmatter.com

    Hypertufa with sedums and moss ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planter ~ gardenmatter.com

    Wouldn't they make a fun little gift?

    Hypertufa bee and butterfly bath ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planter ~ gardenmatter.com

    Why not try adding a little water with pebbles in one, to set out for the butterflies and bees. A little bee bath is just one way to help with our diminishing pollinator problem.

    I hope you enjoyed my take on this popular garden craft, and if you haven't tried making a hypertufa planter, maybe this tutorial will inspire you to try making one of your own. For more information visit Blue Fox Farm or The Hypertufa Gardener. Both have tons of information on all kinds of hypertufa projects.

     

    Learn to make a freeform hypertufa planter with this easy tutorial. These rustic looking containers are perfect for succulents and shallow rooted plants.

     

    Hypertufa planted containers ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planters ~ gardenmatter.com
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    How to Make a Freeform Hypertufa Planter

    These DIY freeform hypertufa planter is very rustic and easy to make. They are perfect for succulents and would make such a thoughtful gift idea too.
    Prep Time1 hr
    Active Time1 hr
    Additional Time28 d
    Total Time28 d 2 hrs
    Course: DIY Garden Art
    Yield: 7 Planters
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $30

    Materials

    • Portland Cement - 1 part
    • Peat Moss - 1 1/2 parts
    • Vermiculite - 1 1/2 parts
    • Dust Mask
    • Latex Gloves
    • Large Plastic Mixing Container
    • Dryer Cleaner bags or other plastic bags
    • Rocks for weight
    • Plastic container for measuring material

    Instructions

    • Combine the cement, peat moss and vermiculite in a large plastic tub. 
    • Slowly add water and mix with your hands until you can make a ball with the mix that holds together.
    • Place a handful on a dry cleaners bag and shape it into the desired shape. 
    • Fold the plastic over and weigh it down with a rock. 
    • Let them sit in a shady spot for 2 days.
    • Use a wire brush, and a metal scraper to dig out some of the interior and shape the bottoms and sides.
    • Re-wrap the hypertufa and set aside for 2 to 4 weeks to cure.
    • Plant your plants using a light soilless potting mix, and ground covers or shallow rooted plants.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary

      May 18, 2020 at 9:35 am

      Drainage holes?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 18, 2020 at 1:24 pm

        Mary, I did not use drainage holes. If you want them and I can understand why just make a few in the bottom while they are still wet with a large nail or stick. Make sure to remove it before the cement sets up. Conversely you could probably drill holes through the container but I would be afraid of cracking it.

        Reply
    2. judy szatkowski

      July 02, 2019 at 6:33 am

      Absolutely love these - can. you use a plastic garbage bag to put the material in?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 02, 2019 at 6:41 am

        I think you can Judy. I used the dry cleaner bags because they were thin and clear and I could see what I was doing.

        Reply
    3. Jacki

      May 09, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Thanks for the shout out, Patti! I would be hesitant to use Vermiculite, I use Perlite instead, which doesn't have the risk of being contaminated with asbestos. Love your little planters though!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 09, 2016 at 12:03 pm

        Hi Jacki,
        Thanks for the heads up on Vermiculite. I didn't think that asbestos was an issue but you bring up a great point. Perlite works just as well, and some may like it better. I simply liked the look and color of the vermiculite.

        Reply
        • Jacki

          May 09, 2016 at 12:55 pm

          I know, I like the look of it too! And it's not all vermiculite, just that which is mined in a place where they also mine asbestos. I didn't know how to tell them apart, so I just don't use it at all.

    4. Ronda Eagle

      May 06, 2016 at 8:08 am

      I really love this idea! My daughter (who is 6) loves to make gifts for family and friends. I like it to be something they can use and enjoy for years to come as my family is very sentimental over these small treasures she makes. This is the perfect gift for her to make this year for the Holidays and would also make a great end of year teacher appreciation give with a small succulent inside.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 06, 2016 at 8:12 am

        I think that is a fabulous idea. Maybe you should make the mix. Wear a mask. The cement can cause respiratory problems and burn your skin. Then both of you wearing good gloves can make the molds.

        Reply
    5. Linda

      May 05, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      I love the idea of a bee waterer, BUT we can't leave water out like that this year because of Zita (SP???) mosquitoes, I live in Washington DC and we are being told to have absolutely NO standing water for the mosquitoes. I'd hate to think that my butterfly/bee water maimed a baby!!!!!!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 06, 2016 at 7:23 am

        Hi Linda,
        Yeah, that is an issue for many. I totally understand. Hopefully things will change in the future.

        Reply
      • JulesIn MN

        April 26, 2021 at 5:58 pm

        I live in Minnesota, also land of mosquitoes; I change the shallow water in my bird baths, if not already evaporated. My powered fountains keep water moving / preventing standing water, also helps.

        Reply
        • Patti Estep

          April 27, 2021 at 5:49 am

          Julesin, mosquitoes can be a real problem. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

    6. Kim Smith

      May 03, 2016 at 5:24 pm

      These are very cute and I love the way you have planted them. Great photos too! Wonderful idea for the bee waterer.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 04, 2016 at 8:00 pm

        Thanks Kim, That's quite a complement coming from an expert like you.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    7. Paula

      May 02, 2016 at 1:56 pm

      I can't wait to try making these containers. I love natural looking planters. Does your website have a "print" button so I can print the directions. I didn't see one but thought I would ask.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 02, 2016 at 4:51 pm

        Hi Paula,
        I don't have a print button. I'll have to look into that for the future. I work on a PC using Chrome as my browser and I can right click a page and print it. I can also save it to a pdf. I'll save the post here and try to email it to you. I'm afraid the file may be too big but I will try it.
        Hope that helps!
        Patti

        Reply
    8. Carol Dal Porto

      May 02, 2016 at 3:34 am

      I can't wait to make these organic, rustic looking planters for my many succulents and rocks. They are a nice alternative to pots. Thank you for your very unique ideas!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 02, 2016 at 6:29 am

        Hi Carol,

        So glad you like the project.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    9. sue

      May 01, 2016 at 10:29 am

      love, love, love these - so easy and look so great. We are redoing our back garden with wildflowers so these will look great in amongst them especially in the shade garden part
      🙂

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 01, 2016 at 2:14 pm

        Hi Sue,

        So glad you like them! Your garden plans sound fabulous!
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    10. Ellen Ribolla

      May 01, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Hi Patti!
      These little planters are adorable. I love the organic look they have, like lava rock from Hawaii.
      I've seen others on Pinterest, etc. and thought they were out of my league because of the molds, but these, I can handle.
      I'm assuming there is a drainage hole in yours. Would you suggest poking a hole in the bottom before or after the 2-day curing process?
      Thanks for passing this on!
      Ellen
      Southington, CT

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 01, 2016 at 9:22 am

        Hi Ellen,

        So glad you like them. I did not use drainage holes because they were so small and are pretty porous. That being said you could certainly add one, and yes, when you are carving them would be a good time. Also, I think they would be easy to drill later if that doesn't work. Who knows, I may even end up doing that if I find they need it. Thanks for stopping by and bringing up a great point.
        Patti

        Reply

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