DIY Large Concrete Planters-How to Make Them in One Weekend

Want to DIY large concrete planters in one weekend? Use these simple methods to build a Concrete planter for your front or back patio.

DIY these large concrete planters in one weekend

Hi there! We have been working tirelessly in our backyard to create our little outdoor oasis. We’ve been doing a lot of design planning and DIY projects for our backyard makeover. We’ve made great strides and can’t wait to show you the progress. You can see where we started and how we built our pergola.

Since then, we’ve also built this beautiful outdoor dining table and console table, which have helped make our backyard feel even more like an extension of our home.

If you’ve ever shopped for oversized outdoor planters, you already know how expensive they can get. When we started our backyard makeover, I knew I wanted two large planters to anchor the space and add trees to the backyard. We wanted two large concrete planters for our backyard makeover, but I couldn’t find anything in the size and style I wanted without spending a fortune.

Our backyard is fully paved, so we didn’t have many places to plant anything substantial. I searched everywhere for large planters with the right size and look, but most were either too small, made of resin, or way more than I wanted to spend.

So I pitched the idea to DIY two concrete planters to my husband and, thankfully, he was completely on board.

These ended up being one of my favorite DIY projects from our backyard makeover. They’re large, heavy, incredibly sturdy, and they’ve even survived a harsh New York winter without cracking.

Why We Made Our Own Large Concrete Planters

We got the idea for these enormous planters from a terrace designed by Gunn Landscape Architects.

I loved how the oversized concrete planters framed the patio and made the small outdoor space feel more finished and intentional.

Our backyard has a similar layout, so I got the idea to use two large planters to soften the space and add some height with trees.

At first, we considered making them out of wood, but I worried about how well wood would hold up long-term at this size.

Concrete felt like the better choice because it’s strong, durable, affordable, and gave us the substantial look I wanted.

I also wanted to add trees to soften our space and make it feel cozy. Since our backyard is paved, we didn’t have any dirt areas to plant trees except for a small section along the fence.

These planters let us add a couple of tall trees to the backyard.

Supplies for a 24″ x 24″ x 32″ Concrete Planter

• 6 – 80 lb bags of Quikrete concrete mix
• Trowel
• Water
• 3/4″ Plywood
• Circular saw
• Rubber mallet
• screws
• Duck tape
• 2″ PVC pipe – cut to 4″ height

How to Build the Concrete Planter Mold

First, we build the planter using two plywood boxes: a larger outer box and a smaller inner box. The space between the two boxes forms the planter’s concrete walls.

For the outside mold, we cut four plywood panels measuring about 24″ x 32″, plus a 24″ x 24″ bottom panel.

For the smaller inside box, we cut four 22″ x 32″ panels. We then split those panels into narrower sections, which made the interior mold much easier to remove once the concrete had cured. We also cut a 22″ x 22″ piece for the bottom.

Add a Drainage Hole

Before pouring the concrete, drill a 2-inch opening through the bottom of the larger plywood box.

Insert the PVC pipe through the opening. This creates the drainage hole in the finished planter. Make sure the pipe extends above the base and cover the opening so concrete doesn’t fall inside while you’re pouring.

How to Pour the Concrete

Mix the concrete according to the instructions on the bag. Mix until the concrete mixture reaches a peanut-butter consistency.

Try not to add too much water. Excess water can weaken the concrete and increase the chance of cracking as it dries.

Start by pouring approximately a 2-inch layer of concrete into the bottom of the large plywood box.

Then place the smaller box inside and center it carefully. We used 2-inch spacer blocks around the top edges to keep the inner form evenly positioned

After completing the two plywood boxes, we are ready to start forming the concrete planter.

We cut out 2″ blocks and screwed them to the edges to ensure equal space all around.

Fill the Concrete Planter Mold

Slowly add concrete into the space between the two plywood boxes.

As you work your way up, tap the outside of the mold with a rubber mallet. This helps the concrete settle into the mold and releases trapped air bubbles.

We tapped pretty aggressively around the entire box. Even so, we still ended up with a few small holes and imperfections in the finished concrete, and I actually love them. They give the planters a more natural, handmade look.

How Long Should the Concrete Cure?

We let ours dry for about 24 hours before removing the plywood forms.

Once the concrete was completely dry, we removed the plywood forms to reveal the planer. The outer pieces screwed off fairly easily. The inside form took a little more effort.

We used a flat screwdriver and rubber mallet to carefully pry the plywood away from the concrete.

After we removed the form, we lightly sanded any rough edges.

Finishing the Concrete Planters

We finished the planters with Valspar concrete stain and sealer. After a few years, I repainted and sealed again to make it look fresh.

You could also leave the concrete completely natural if you prefer that raw, modern look.

Once everything was finished, we planted a dwarf apple tree in one planter and a beautiful hydrangea in the other.

How Have the Planters Held Up?

Update: It’s been six years since we DIY these concrete planters, and they’ve survived harsh New York winters without cracking or showing any visible damage. The dwarf apple tree we planted in one of the planters has grown into the perfect size and gives us beautiful and delicious apples during the season.

Now we go apple picking in our own little backyard!😃

A Few Things I’d Know Before Making These Concrete Planters

These planters are extremely heavy once the concrete cures. We never officially weighed ours, so I wouldn’t give an exact number of how much it weighs, but they are not something you’ll want to casually move around the yard.

We used three steel pipes underneath the planter and slowly rolled it into position. As one pipe came out from the back, we moved it to the front and continued until the planter was where we wanted it.

If I were DIY these concrete planters again, I would absolutely build them as close to their permanent location as possible since they are so heavy.

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Concrete Planters

Do concrete planters need drainage holes?

Yes. Proper drainage is especially important when you’re planting trees, shrubs, or other plants that will stay in the planter long term. We created ours using PVC pipe positioned through the bottom of the mold.

You can also add gravel in the bottom of the planter for more drainage as well.

Will a concrete planter crack during winter?

Climate, drainage, concrete mix, and how much moisture stays inside the planter can all affect durability, so results can vary.

Ours has gone through harsh coastal weather without cracking or any visible damage. However, if I did this again, I would consider putting metal reinforcement inside the cement. Just for extra strength. Eventhough, ours are still perfect after six years.

How long should you wait before removing the mold?

You should wait approximately 24 to 48 hours before removing the plywood forms from the planter.

How do you move a large concrete planter?

Very carefully. 😂

We placed three steel pipes underneath ours and used them like rollers to slowly move the planter across the yard.

Few more inspirations

Here’s another way to DIY a planter if you want a lighter-weight option with the look of beautiful aged limestone. It’s called hypertufa, and it creates that same substantial, stone-like feel without being nearly as heavy as solid concrete. Jenna from Jenna Sue Design created this gorgeous hypertufa planter that looks like weathered limestone.

You can also check out some really fun DIY projects at Remodelaholic using cement mix, molds such as old dishes or containers, and your imagination. 

Check out an adorable, inexpensive way to create this smaller cement planters,

I’m still so happy we decided to tackle this project. These DIY concrete planters gave us exactly the oversized look I wanted without spending thousands of dollars on planters of this size. And they completely changed the feel and look of our backyard.

The best part is that you can use the same basic method to make a planter in almost any size or shape that works for your space.

If you’re thinking about trying this project, my biggest piece of advice is simple: decide exactly where you want the planter before your pour the concrete. Once it’s finished, it’s staying there for a while. 😂

Thank you for stopping by!