Craft stone-look planters with hypertufa

CORVALLIS, Ore. — If you love the look of old stone planters in classic English gardens, you can make convincing facsimiles at home with hypertufa — a simulated-stone mix that’s easy for beginners.

Hypertufa is typically made from Portland cement, coconut fiber (coir) and perlite. The mix is workable, inexpensive and much lighter than stone. You can shape it into containers, birdbaths and garden accents in many sizes and forms.

Hypertufa planters are well suited to rock gardens, succulents, alpine plants and other small plants. Europeans long used stone troughs and repurposed cement containers in ornamental gardens; as originals became scarce, gardeners began making “tufa-like” containers — hypertufa — to get the same look.

Durability and care

Hypertufa made with sand can last about 20 years. Lightweight mixes that use perlite instead of sand are less durable but often last around 10 years if handled gently. Plant roots can exploit crevices over time and speed breakdown. Handle with care — hypertufa can crack or break with rough use.

Hypertufa recipe (relative volumes)

• 3 parts coir (coconut fiber)
• 2 parts Portland cement Type I–II
• 3 parts perlite

You can find coir and perlite at garden centers; Portland cement is available at construction or lumber stores.

Step-by-step

1. Mix. Wearing gloves, measure by volume (a bucket works well). In a cement tray, wheelbarrow or other large container, combine dry ingredients. Add water gradually and mix by hand until the blend is stiff and holds together — like cookie dough or cottage cheese.
2. Mold. Line a cardboard box or other form with plastic. Hand-pack the mix to form a bottom about two to three inches thick. Build walls at least three inches thick. Press two drainage holes into the base.
3. Clean up. Rinse tools and your mixing tray right away with a garden hose.

Cure, finish and plant

• Cure. Leave the piece outdoors to firm up for three to five days.
• Demold. Remove the form and plastic.
• Finish. Smooth, carve or shape as desired with a trowel, wire brush or other metal tool. For a smoother exterior, lightly moisten the surface and rub on a thin coat of dry Portland cement.
• Plant. Allow about one week after making the container before planting.

Previously titled Use hypertufa to make containers that look like stone