Simple DIY Concrete Succulent Planter

Simple DIY Concrete Succulent Planter gives those adorable little succulents the perfect cozy space to thrive!

“Heather, do you even eat food anymore? You keep posting all these DIY projects. There’s concern you don’t eat these days.”

Contrary to the (completely made up) popular belief above, I DO actually still eat food. It just so happens that I love to try simple DIY projects these days too! It’s also rare that a project I try actually turns out this well, is this inexpensive, and fun. You better believe I’m all about sharing the goods with y’all!

It all started with this Instagram video, which we did, but ended up with a LOT of extra concrete leftover. I had a cheap plastic candy bucket from the dollar store, so I simply filled it up and pressed a few plastic cups in.

Here’s the scoop: the concrete was $4.60 for an 80-pound bag at Home Depot. We had the red Solo cups at home already, as well as the spray paint and painter’s tape to make the lines. The bucket was $1, and truthfully the most expensive part were the succulents! Quick tip I just thought of: if you have an aloe plant that’s putting off babies you could just transplant those as well.

Here’s what you need for your simple DIY concrete succulent planter:

• 2 buckets – one that you’ll mix the concrete in, and one that you’re using as the mold.
• plastic drinking cups (as many as you want – I used 3)
• rocks to weigh down the drinking cups (so they stay inside the concrete as it dries)
• nonstick spray
• Quikrete concrete mix
• water
• painter’s tape (optional)
• spray paint (optional)
• succulents
• dirt

Here’s what I did step-by-step for my simple DIY concrete succulent planter:

• Mix up the concrete (about 1/4 of the bag, although it will depend on the size of your bucket) with water. You don’t want it to be liquid-y, but more of a sludge consistency. I’m a professional. Trust me. I would start with a 2:1 ratio of Quikrete to water, then add water a little at a time as necessary.
• Spray the inside of the bucket you’re using as the mold with nonstick spray. Honestly I do not think this step was necessary for mine because the sides were straight and the bucket was super flexible, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
• Spray the plastic cups you’re using on the outside of the cups.
• Pour the prepared concrete into the mold, then gently tap it on the ground and along the sides to release bubbles.
• Gently press the plastic cups into the wet concrete.
• Fill the cups with rocks to weight them down.
• Allow the concrete to dry (cure?) for about 48 hours.
• Peel the mold off. Mine just slipped off, but when we did the pumpkin versions we had to use box cutters to get them off.
• Pull the cups out; it’s likely they will break as you do this. Totally normal!
• Brush off the excess concrete powder, then use your tape to create whatever pattern you want. Or just paint it! You’re the boss.
• Add a few little rocks in the bottom of each cup, then fill with dirt and plant your succulent. I watered mine for the transition.

And voila! A simple little succulent planter that you can use on a coffee table, part of a floor arrangement, on a desk, a front porch – the options are limitless!

Ours is currently gracing the fireplace tile until I find some felt pads to put on the bottom. Then it’ll move to the wood floor (and probably the porch in the summer). The beauty is that it’s durable, inexpensive, and cute! Enjoy!