DIY Hypertufa Planters! New, Updated Instructions...Easy to Follow, Helpful Tips and Tricks.

If you are into plants and crafts, this video is for you! Learn how to easily make your own custom hypertufa planter. Hypertufas bring a natural look to your space, are very cost effective, and last for years! If you aren't familiar, hypertufas are lightweight cement based planters that are molded from existing pots, planters, forms, etc. They age with time, growing moss and lichens, giving them a natural weathered look.
As allows, please wear a mask and gloves for extra precaution.

[@patrisha7487]

Best instructional video on KZbin for HyperTufa! No long leadins or life stories, just instructions. GREAT JOB!

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thank you so much! Good luck and have fun making them!

[@pameladurack2150]

Hey Brad - Just wanted to let you know that I shared this instructional video with my high school class as part of my Landscape and Horticulture program. We followed your recipe and steps with great success! A giant leap from non stick cooking spray. Also the point about sifting the peat was super smart. Kids got skeeved out over the fiberglas but we were masked and I always lead this project outdoors so they got over it. Thanks again. Pam, Sanford, ME

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

This is such a rewarding comment for me to read, thank you so much for taking the time to write and I’m so happy it worked out for you and the kids! Thanks for helping our youth learn and good luck to you! 🙏🙏

[@evelyngonzalez8028]

​@@BuddhasBotanicalsI have been wanting to make this for quite some time and so glad I found your easy to follow video. Thank you so much for sharing 🙏🥰

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thank you so much, that was the goal! Good luck and have fun 🙏

[@peternias7646]

Alternative to fiberglass is cellulose fibre, purchased in compact bales then use a grass blower to fluff it it up ( 2 passes) eg feed lumps at front suck end and into the leaf bag . We use this in yeso for texture finish and strength [ from spain]

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

@@peternias7646 thanks for watching and commenting. I love hearing from people around the world; I’ve never heard of this but I’m interested. I’m definitely going to check this out, happy gardening 🙏

[@SparkiMcSparks]

Love this!!!! Thanks for sharing your wisdom AND for reminding people the importance of wearing a mask with this work!

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

You are so welcome! Hope you try it and have fun. Happy gardening 🙏🧑‍🌾

[@twohomesteads6512]

This is the best hypertufa video I have watched. Thank you.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Wow, thank you!

[@StephStruble]

I love that Spanish music in the background while you are mixing, Nice touch! Hey, will these hold water? Could i make a water fountain with one of these?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thanks! They do hold water (don’t be a drain hole in) but I’d recommend putting a concrete sealer on after it has cured. Also, if you live where you get winters, you will want to tip it upside down so it doesn’t crack.

[@debmitsch2397]

Love this DIY...!!!

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thank you, it’s so much fun, I hope you try it!

[@smokymountainnature]

thanks for sharing

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

My pleasure and thanks for watching and supporting. Hope you try it and have fun!

[@gregwiggins3708]

Thanks for showing.Enjoyed it,,😊👍

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thanks Greg, good luck if you try it and have fun doing it! I’m about to try making garden mushrooms out of the mixture. We will see how it turns out

[@jeannesimmonds6049]

Thanks for the best video I've come across to get me started in south africa! I'm ŕeady to hypertofu now

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Yes! Love connecting with people around the world! Have fun trying it and good luck 🙏

[@CCoburn3]

Great video. Adding the fiberglass seems like a good idea. The pots should last a good deal longer that way.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thank you 🙏 and yes they do. Even more importantly in northern cold areas.

[@brendaking737]

Awesome instructions. Very clear and easy to understand. I’m inspired 😊

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Awesome! Thank you! Good luck and I hope you try it! Lmk if you have any questions 🙏

[@davodhanwell3600]

You are such a good teacher, Brad!! Could you add coloring to the cement? I can see these in greens and yellows.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thank you! You get definitively add color. There are liquid cement dyes that I’ve added to the mixing water. Those are limited in colors however. And then you can always paint them after to whatever color you like.

[@CetomimusGillii]

Great video! This is exactly what I'll do for my smaller planters. But, if I were to use a large mold, say 22" half-barrel type planter, about how thick should I go to ensure durability? I figure I should probably taper to about an inch thick around the top of the planter, but will need much more material towards the base. For something this size, would I need to think about chicken wire or some other solid reinforcement? And what about curing times? I imagine they go up as thickness increases. Thank you!

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thanks. You are on the right path. I would suggest a 2” thick wall and base and I would use a metal reinforcement, chicken wire would work just fine but if you have any type of thin metal wire or fencing you can use that to save money. Chicken wire is flexible so that’s nice. Lay an inch thick, put in chicken wire, then another inch. I would do multiple drain holes as well. Finally, it will take longer to cure but not that much longer. Just be patient and after a week of drying, I’d try popping it out and then cure it for 2-3 weeks before planting.

[@Friskyhorton]

And I use wuite portland as it takes color easier.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Definitely going to look into white Portland, thanks.

[@tfloraditch]

Nice demo. It looks very easy to follow. Thanks! BTW have you done many larger containers. 10-20 gallon? I am wondering what extra consideration would be needed for that size. Also, Consider better background music. Something with wide appeal but not distracting. It really makes a difference.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thanks for the tips, I’m working on getting better as an editor but it’s clearly not my forte 😂. Yes I have done big ones. For larger containers, I would suggest a 2” thick wall and base and I would use a metal reinforcement, chicken wire would work just fine but if you have any type of thin metal wire or fencing you can use that to save money. Chicken wire is flexible so that’s nice. Lay an inch thick, put in chicken wire, then another inch. I would do multiple drain holes as well. Finally, it will take longer to cure but not that much longer. Just be patient and after a week of drying, I’d try popping it out and then cure it for 2-3 weeks before planting.

[@nacmegfeegle2310]

Haha I liked the music

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

@@nacmegfeegle2310 thanks 🙏.

[@darkkstar5647]

Great vid -- got a lot of tips hadn't seen in beginner tuts before. Now, can you use hypertufa as a candle lantern? does it burn?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

I have not found them to be flammable. But would worry the intense heat would weaken the container to where it may crack. Maybe if there was a layer of something that buffered the heat it would work. But honestly I have not tried it so these are just my opinions. Anything is worth a shot one time, right? Good luck!

[@Friskyhorton]

Ive never added fibreglass, and mine last a long time, and I use them for potplants

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

That’s great, I have done some without as well and no issues but since I sell these and for the little cost, I figure it’s a good practice. Never tried white Portland, may have to look into that this year, thanks 🙏.

[@bettyannabbott5346]

Great videos, Brad. SO where can I get one of those clamshell fiber pots? I have searched Google. BUPKUS!!!

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Thank you! Unfortunately I don’t think the company makes these clamshell fiber hanging baskets anymore. No idea why the stopped because these were always very popular.

[@magpie92766]

​​@@BuddhasBotanicalsDo the fiber pots look like they're made from cardboard egg cartons, but rumpled? I grew up in a cemetery, my dad was the superintendent & we lived there, & those containers were quite popular w the florists for some types of funeral arrangements. I'm assuming yours are made from a sturdier material than the formed cardboard type.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

@@magpie92766 yes they do, probably the same thing! I have 5 clamshells I used every year for my hanging baskets but now since they don’t make them anymore, I only use them for hypertufas. Want to make them last as long as possible!

[@LyndenClements]

Great video. A question, mine is curing in the garage now. The colour is quite brown. Will it lighten to a grey when it is fully cured?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

They do lighten up quite a bit once they are dry and you can place in sun for a few weeks too. This is assuming you followed my recipe. If you used something else, the color may be more brown than mine are.

[@LyndenClements]

Thanks for the reply. I didn't use Portlands cement so it might look different. Just another question, I am using mine as a water basin under a running fountain. I was wondering if it will hold together or if the water will dissolve the vermiculite and it'll fall apart? Most people use them as pots but I am using mine a little differently.@@BuddhasBotanicals

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

I have no experience with using them as water basins so I can’t confidently give you an answer. My best insight is that the pot won’t last as long however I still think you’ll get at least 4-5 years, maybe more.

[@user-re3td7fu1d]

@@LyndenClements Seal it with cement sealer; that should help a lot.

[@jacquelineburns2731]

I tried these last year, but i made them way too thick. They were about 2 1/2 inches thick and there was hardly room left for the plant inside. Would and inch wide of hypertufa mix be enough to keep the pot from breaking easily?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Absolutely. My walls are about an inch wide and that’s plenty. If anything, I make the top rim a little wider for stability but 1” think is plenty!

[@lisasalter5427]

Hi! A lot of people say to soak these pots in water (or other various methods) for a week or so to leach out the alkalinity. I assume that isn't necessary?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

Hi Lisa, it’s called curing. I leave mine outside for a few weeks and that does the trick. You can rinse them daily for a week to fast track it. I’ve never soaked them because I make so many, so I can’t speak to if it works or if there are any negatives.

[@ambrosiafarms]

I think they say the soaking make s it safe For plants but it seems the higher lime content is toxic only to some plants , not all

[@kathysicuranza5999]

Do you or can you show what fiberglass you use and is it on Amazon?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

a.co/d/eQdjgiD

[@amandatorres3176]

Hello great video. Where can I buy these needed products?

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

You should be able to get most of that stuff from Amazon and Home Depot/lowes . I did anyway. Local garden centers may have some of these products as well.

[@amandatorres3176]

@@BuddhasBotanicals OK great cause I was checking to see if you had listed the items and place a purchase down below but I didn’t see anything

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

@@amandatorres3176 ya sorry I’m still learning all the editing and putting those things in the comments to help people. If you’d like email me the links I can verify what you are going to order is legit. [e-mail]

[@Stephen_Strange]

WHAT is the purpose of peat moss ? I'm looking for many substitutes.

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

The main reason is that it slowly decomposes, leaving cracks and crevices, which makes the planter look similar to natural “tufa” rock. It also makes the planter more lightweight. 🙏

[@neosrealitycheck]

You can also use cocopeat

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

@@neosrealitycheck yes you can. I haven’t yet though, have you? Curious to the results, I would imagine they would look very similar.

[@neosrealitycheck]

@@BuddhasBotanicals yes sir, it works quite well actually. I’m an American living here in the Philippines and cocopeat is abundant here. If you have a FB page, I can post a pic there where I can show you what it looks like 👍

[@Val-qb9up]

@@neosrealitycheck PLEASE share a picture! Thank You!

[@zombie99999999999]

Türkistan subtiiles please

[@BuddhasBotanicals]

I don’t think I can, I tried. I think you can do it on your end, sorry 🙏