It’s around this time of year, when things have been white & dead outside for several months, that I really start to crave the lush, vibrancy of green plants. There’s just something rejuvenating about their presence, don’t you think? Things may take awhile to green up outside, so why not manifest your own green inside? Usher a plant or two into your home with this surprisingly simple planter & plant stand. A little concrete & wood are all you need to make your new flora feel right at home.

Materials:

quick drying concrete1.75L paper juice cartonpint sized paper cartonsacrificial mixing bowl & spoon (ones that can be ruined)scissorsduct tapesand paper5/8″ thick square wood dowelhand saw or circular sawconnector plate + screws4 angle brackets + screwselectric drill

Part I: The Cement Planter:

1. Cut the tops off both the small and large juice cartons.

2. Mix up the concrete by adding 2 cups of concrete to 3/4 cup of water. Stir vigorously for about 1 minute. The package directions call for a 4:1 ratio, but we don’t need as much strength as this ratio provides. Plus using more water creates a smoother surface finish with less bubbles. Pour the concrete into the larger carton.

3. Place the smaller carton in the center of the larger carton, pressing it into the cement about 2-3 inches deep.

4. Tape the smaller carton in place with duct tape. Allow to dry about 2 hours, until completely hardened.

5. Squeeze the smaller carton to compress slightly, and remove from the concrete. Cut away the larger carton from the outside of the planter.

6. Sand down all rough edges.

7. Add your plant into the planter and you’re halfway done with the project! Now onto the plant stand.

Part II: The Wood Plant Stand:

1.Cut your wood dowel into the following pieces and sand down rough edges:

Qty 4: 5-1/2″ long piecesQty 1: 4″ long pieceQty 2: 1-11/16″ long pieces

2. With the 3 smallest wood pieces, form an X shape. Position the connector plate so that it connects all 3 pieces by reaching over the perpendicular 4″ piece. Screw the connector plate to each of the 3 small wood pieces with an electric drill.

3. On each of the 4 larger wood pieces, draw a guideline about 1-7/8″ up from one end.

4. Position the angle bracket just below the guidelines made in Step 3 and screw into place. Note: If your connector bracket staggers its holes like mine, one of the angle brackets will need to be attached to the vertical post off center so that it will line up with the connector plate hole (see image below).

5. Then attach the wood shaped X onto the top side of the angle brackets. The connector plate on the X should be facing downward.

6. Flip the stand over and place the concrete planter inside. Enjoy!