If you know what fiddle leaf fig trees are, you're probably already in love with them. I heard someone say that they are the kittens and puppies of trees, in that it's their exaggerated proportions that make them so cute (like giant eyes or ears on baby animals). Several of us have been drooling over the photos of these little guys for years, but it's pretty tough to find these plants in our midwestern town—until now. I saw that a nursery nearby started stocking them this year, and I immediately snatched one up for my own home and one for the studio as well. A special plant deserves a special planter though, don't you think? I was so impressed with how well our DIY concrete countertops came out that I thought it would be a great material to try on a planter project as well.
Supplies:
-porcelain planter
–Ardex Feather Finish (most quick dry cements would probably work too, but this is the kind I used)
-putty knife
-fine sandpaper
–concrete sealer
Step One: Mix your concrete according to the instructions, but add a little more water so that it's thinner than usual. You'll want the mixture to be on the liquid side without being too thin and runny. The consistency of pancake batter is what you're looking for, so just keep adding more water or more mix to achieve the right amount.
Step Two: Once your concrete is the right consistency, turn your planter upside down on a sheet of cardboard and place a few pieces of wood underneath so it sits off the ground (you'll notice the wood pieces aren't pictured until a later step because I forgot to do it first—whoops!). Pour your concrete on the bottom of the planter until it fills the circle and is just about to run over the sides. Use your putty knife (or even your mixing stick) to push some of the concrete over the sides and allow it to run down to the bottom. Do smaller amounts at first so you can gauge how much and how fast it runs down, and do more as needed. Repeat process on each side and smooth out the leftover concrete that remains on the planter bottom so it will still sit flat when it dries.
Once the concrete sets a bit, use your small putty knife to fill in any holes or gaps in the drips and smooth the area with your knife the best you can (you can sand off any imperfections when dry).
Step Three: Once the concrete is fully dry, use a fine-grade sandpaper to smooth out any bumps or ridges that you want to get rid of, and wipe the excess dust off the planter with a dry cloth.
Step Four: Apply the concrete sealer with a brush all over the outside and bottom surface of the planter and allow the sealer to dry. Once the sealer is dry, repeat with a second coat of sealer. When your second coat is dry, add your plant to your new planter!
I love the visual texture that the the drip pattern creates coupled with the variation in surface smoothness between the porcelain and the concrete. All in all, this technique creates a one of a kind planter that will give the special plant in your life a fabulous new home. Happy dripping! xo. Laura
Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman, Photography: Laura Gummerman and Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Stella from The Signature Collection.
47 Comments
love this Laura great job.
Such an amazing idea! I would love to make it for spring with purple colour 🙂
This looks really cool and interesting. It also looks like something I could do myself 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Laura!
Love and Luck,
Laurali Star
http://www.thesecretsurprisinista.com
What a cute tree! I love how your planter turned out!!
what an awesome tree and great pot! Love it!
Love this! I’m an SGF local- where did you find the tree?
So cool! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
This looks more like a mess than beautiful. I’m sorry, but this just seems like a really sloppy DIY. Quality over quantity.
Where in SGF? I am desperate to find this tree for my own!
This look really cool
Lauren
livinginaboxx
This is so beautiful! I love it! It looks like something from Anthropologie and also wildy expensive, and yet you made it affordable and DIY! Perfect!
@shopwhiteplum
Such a cool idea!
Lisa – AT LEAST BLOG
This is so cute and simple! My friends and I are renting our first house this year, and we’re obsessed with your projects and lovely style! You are a constant source of inspiration, thanks to you I can’t wait to start making our little place a home! x
At Wickman’s Gardens 🙂
Laura
At Wickman’s Gardens 🙂
Laura
The pot does not have a drainage hole. This plant will suffocate 🙁
I really REALLY really like this!!
I agree that it looks like something Anthro would sell for $80. Also, that couch is gorgeous. I feel like it is less common to see tufted leather. Where is it from?
Seriously in love with how cool this turned out! I can’t wait to try it out!
xoxo
Taylor
I think it looks cute! My only concern is water drainage!?! What happens if you over water…I’m just worried about root rot. Those trees are FIN.UH.KEY. (I know that’s not how you spell that word but I’m going for drama here) Mine got mealybugs and I cried when I had to put it out with the trash hahaha…. I’m still in mourning but maybe you’ve inspired me to go buy another one. If I can find it.. CO doesn’t stock many either. Hmm..
Yiiikes. I try to be open-minded about DIY-ing and decorating on the cheap but this looks super sloppy.
great blog! and great mind!
http://www.eyesonking.com
do you have the source for the porcelain planter you used? thanks!
SO earth like! Love!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/eos-obsession.html
So cool! Love how this one turned out!
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Love it! I think I’ll give it a try.
love it!
Love the texture it adds, and it looks so different when you turn it right-side-up! Very cool.
Interesting idea! I’ve never grown one of these plants, but shouldn’t there be a drainage hole in the planter (from the photos it looks like the plant’s been planted directly into the pot) to protect the roots from overwatering? Or at least
keep the plant in its original pot and set that in the decorative planter.
Love your jeans and that grey tee. Perfect clothes for a perfect crafty project!
I am really happy that you shared this tutorial! I’ll try it myself cause it’s really cute and it would make a great gift! You’re a great source of inspiration!
http://fashion-soup.com/
What a cute idea! I love this! I would never have thought to do it. I can’t wait to DYI the sh*t out of this when I get home from overseas!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Anisa – The Macadames. xx
http://www.themacadames.com
Me too, I love all there great work:-)
Dont know if you have easter greatings, but we have in little Denmark and got this:
http://mariahoffbeck.blogspot.dk/2014/04/paske-lam-og-champagne-brus.html
Enjoy and greating from Denmark
Heidi
Love this! It looks really cool and seems very doable.
cursive-type.blogspot.nl
I know, right? Poor plant 🙁
What a great idea! I’ll have to give this a try!
Angelina
http://www.cablecarchic.com
Where is your rug from?! LOVE IT!
Tell me how to keep one alive. I have had mine for about ten months as the thing has one leaf left. I’ve tried more light, different soil, more water, less water…. No idea.
LOVE this! Great DIY that looks really fancy and expensive!
xo
Christa
http://www.gardeniasandmint.wordpress.com
LOVE this! Great DIY that looks really fancy and expensive!
xo
Christa
http://www.gardeniasandmint.wordpress.com
Fantastic, unique work. I absolutely love the upside-down drips!
The whole unintentional-looking thing is the best.
Fantastic, unique work. I absolutely love the upside-down drips!
The whole unintentional-looking thing is the best.
Really cool !
Blerg that’s amazing! I love concrete.
All I can look at is the fabulous rug! Where is it from?!
It’s from West Elm 🙂
-Jacki
Beautiful! What kind of tree is that?