Making Hypertufa Planters
I intended to make Hypertufa Planters since I discovered it was a thing, recently it happened. The catalyst was mostly due to the idea of creating a new garden space in planters, or pots. Researching the amount of pots, in the size needed, revealed a cost which seemed rather overwhelming.
A quick trip to our local home building store and we gathered the needed supplies for less than 10% of the cost of one purchased pot.
The main ingredients: peat moss, perlite, and portland cement were carried home. Portland cement was only available in 100 pound bags vs the smaller 25 pound bags of other cement mixes.
You need to be sure you use portland cement to create this project,
other mixes will not form up correctly.
Three parts each of Perlite and Peat Moss
Add two parts of portland cement and mix enough water that when squeezed,
a bit of water might come out, the mix should hold its shape.
Hypertufa mix before water
Hypertufa Wet mix
Prepare your mold with cooking spray before making your mix.
The mix doesn’t set up fast, things go smoothly when everything is ready in advance.
In preparation for hypertufa, lubricate form
Press the wet mix at a 1″ depth (at least) into your form, start with the bottom and working upward. I preformed the drainage holes and smoothed the top edge the best I could. This was a small project, I didn’t put plastic over the piece opting to spritz with water every 12 hours instead. The piece should cure for 48 hours before removing from the mold. You can test for hardness by trying to scratch with your fingernail without making a mark.
Wet formed hypertufa ready for the first cure
Here is are two views of the pot after 48 hours, the color has changed slightly, becoming just a bit lighter. As the piece continues to cure, over the next few weeks, more water evaporates and lightens the project considerably more.
Dry formed hypertufa 48 hours later
The form has been released. dry shape hypertufa
See my previous note on How To Make Hypertufa Plant Pots
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Oh wow I’ve never seen that done before and I love it. I added this to my spring planning list! What a great idea!
I loved making this sample project, we are planning on larger pieces over the weekend. My Pinterest is expanding. 🙂
I love these planters. However, I’m trying to work out if you really need the pearlite or can get away with using some small rounded pebbles. 3-5mm in size.
Is the pearlite just used for a filler?
You can use any small diameter filler it seems. Some people use sand in place of pearlite.
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