DIY with Cement: Box Shaped Planter 2026

DIY Cement: Box Shaped Planter will show you how to make concrete boxes using cardboard and tape. This example is a flower pot, but they could also be useful as storage cubbies. This project is good because it is cheap, fast and easy.

Box Shaped Planter

You could throw concrete in a cardboard box... Except for one thing: it's not airtight. The cardboard will absorb moisture from the concrete, leaving a chalky finish at best. In the worst case, the box will jump or collapse before the concrete has dried.

The solution to this problem is, of course, sealing the inside of the box will make it water tight, and will also give the concrete some texture. Taping the cardboard edges at the corners will help strengthen the box and minimize bowing under the pressure that occurs when molding.

Making your own concrete planter is a surprisingly easy and inexpensive way to create the indoor or outdoor plant home your specific garden needs. You can create your own mold from cardboard, or use plates, pre-made molds, milk cartons, pretty much anything you want. The type and number of plants you plan in the home should determine the size and shape of your planter.

Materials + Supplies:

• Cardboard boxes (2)
• Cardboard edge protectors (90 degree bends)
• Insulating tape (1/3 roll)
• Concrete or mortar mix
• Sakrete 5000+ Concrete Mixture
• Rocks/Sand/Heavy object

To mix the concrete:

• 5 gallon bucket
• Shovel/trowel
• Rubber gloves

Step 1: Tape for the boxes

What makes a good cardboard box for this project:

• Must be heavy
• Rigid/Relatively New
• Not too big (12″x12″x12″ of concrete weighs over 135+ pounds, think about the pressure)

Less than ideal:

• Flimsy
• Dirty
• Thin cardboard

Look for two boxes that fit inside each other with a 1″ gap on all sides. More than 1″ and the box could be quite heavy, less than 1″ and it won't be as strong.

The biggest box:

1. Fold the flaps outwards and tape them in place.
2. Cover the inside edges of the box, especially the corners.
3. Tape the entire inside of the box, with some overlap, in any pattern you like.
4. Tape cardboard edges on the outside whenever possible to help strengthen the box.
5. Add any decorations, such as leaves, rubber stamps, tile pieces, with spray adhesive.

The smallest box:

1. Fold the flaps inward.
2. Glue the outside of the box completely.

Place the smaller box inside the larger box. Lift the smaller box until there is a 1″ gap at the bottom. Make a mark on the small box, even with the edge of the larger box. When you make the mold, you will use this line as a reference to know how deep to push the smaller box down.

Step 2: Pour mixture and let dry

Mix concrete in a bucket or wheelbarrow. Crack-resistant concrete is your best bet. Pour the desired amount of concrete into the bucket or wheelbarrow, then add water and mix gradually, until it has a consistency similar to cake batter. Follow the instructions on the packaging.

Optional: Feel free to add decorative glass, pebbles, shells, beads or other materials as you see fit, as long as it does not drastically alter the consistency of the concrete mixes.

1. Have the mortar ready and gradually add more water until the mixture has a good consistency (completely mixed, somewhat stiff and not too wet).
2. Fill the large box halfway, then press the removable space down into the concrete and hold it there.
3. Put something heavy (rocks, sand, weights).
4. Continue adding concrete until you reach the top of the box.
5. Continuously touch the sides of the box to help air bubbles rise to the surface.
6. Cover with plastic to keep moisture in.
7. Allow to dry for 4 days in a comfortable environment.

Step 3: Demoulding

Removal is easy, just make sure the concrete has dried completely. If it has not dried for at least 2 days, it could be brittle and will break if you are not careful during these steps.

1. On the larger box, tear or cut the cardboard at one corner.
2. Repeat on the remaining corners until all walls are cut.
3. Crush the smaller box away from the concrete and remove it.
4. Sand any sharp edges with a diamond polishing pad.
5. (Optional) Seal the concrete.

Step 4: Finished project

Using cardboard boxes as a forming material for concrete is excellent as they come in a wide variety of sizes and many shapes can be obtained.

The versatility of duct tape makes it ideal for temporarily waterproofing and reinforcing the cardboard box. I like this project because the formwork is rigid and the fabric looks good.

The concrete juts out from the cardboard walls in a subtle way, and each box you make will have its own unique character.

Variations:

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