Other ways to fill cement cast outdoor wall planters

Question

I have 3 smaller sized, half basket shaped cement wall planters adjacent to my front door.  I can't remove them right now but neither can I maintain plants in them so they just sit empty. The area to be filled is about 6' W by 5'H by 4' deep in each planter. Any suggestions on something decorative (other than artificial plants)? This is a stock photo that gives some idea of what the planters look like. Thanks for any suggestions.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

You mentioned live plants were not an option,however what if you planted them with air plants or succulents which require very little maintenance.

Meburke · Answer

Simple silk( faux) ferns..elegant & classy like the planters.perfect if tropical Florida. 🌴I'm jealous!

Ellen DeVilbiss · Answer

How about fairy gardens?  The smaller plants used in those don't require as much soil or water as regular plants or you can use dried moss and silk plants for no maintenance.

Desiree' · Answer

Succulents will work better than the plants and is easy to maintain. I would do this if I had wall planters or a fountain and put succulents in there. A good conversation piece with anyone. Another option you can put a fairy garden in there too to give a different atmosphere and serene feeling.

Mabeline · Answer

Fairy gardens!

MN Mom · Answer

Lisa you should consider artificial arrangements. Michael's crafts has beautiful greenery that would drape nicely from your planters. The silk items now are so realistic you'd be impressed with how they would compliment your planters

Rgardner · Answer

Desiree is right. Succulents! and Sedums! Just make sure to buy ones that are hardy in your area or plan to bring them in in the winter.

Cathy · Answer

If they are protected, creating little room vignettes would be cute---kind of the fairy garden idea without any plants---put some styrofoam in the bottom to make a level floor up to almost the edge---you could just make them tiny vignettes of outdoor spaces---Collecions, etc has some cute items that you could use and not that expensive to make the vignettes.

LD · Answer

If your not able to maintain living plants right now, then an artificial arrangement is really your best option. I live in a condo with a balcony, which gets no sun at all, so I decided to go with silks, so I have beautiful flowers all year round.

Teresa C · Answer

Bird Bath or feeder.

Judy · Answer

Ivy will live almost anywhere with little maintenance.

Bonnie Woolever · Answer

I have the same situation. I'm taking some foam balls and covering them with pennies. Others I'm covering with seashells, small pieces of driftwood, tiny pine cones, or pieces of small sticks. I'm doing varying sizes of foam balls.

I hope that this can work for you too!

Ktg311722 · Answer

You could do the little vignettes, you can do succulent arrangements or find some air plants or air ferns. They require little effort. I like Bonnie's idea of decorative items, driftwood, foam balls covered with moss, stone balls, painted pine cones, etc.

Me · Answer

my friend has hers filled, about half-way, with glass gems and baubles. The rain keeps them clean and sparkly.

Snapoutofit · Answer

find a pot that will fit in it and plant live plants in it

Bonnie Woolever · Answer

Lisa, what did you end up doing?

Elaine · Answer

In my (humble) opinion, there's nothing nicer - or more elegant - than a simple fern cascading down. Since you live in Florida, Asparagus Fern is what I would pick since it grows like a weed your way and takes lots of sun. It also has nodules on the roots that store moisture so you don't need to water every day. Now that said, most people know that Asparagus Fern has a fast growing, strong root system. I have some myself that I like to keep confined to a certain pot size and you would too, if you chose this fern because your planter is small. However, an easy way I deal with the fast-growing root ball is I "root prune". And all that involves is (first soaking the plant) then gently lifting the plant out, then simply taking a sharp knife and reducing the sides and bottom of the root ball. I promise you - you won't kill it!! Then stick it back in your planter, pat the soil down and water and you're done. Root pruning would only need to be done about two to three times a year depending on the size of a planter. Tiny things such as Fairy Gardens won't show too well - they are best for say, a dish garden that sits on a table where the viewer can look down at it.

Another suggestion, of course, is faux plants. One word of caution though - if the planter is in sun, your (green) faux plants may eventually discolor and go a funny looking blue color.

Inetia · Answer

Planters don't have to have plants in them.

Diana Carnes · Answer

A tiny fish environment with a solar fountain? My first choice!

Other ways to fill cement cast outdoor wall planters

Suggested Project Book

31 Tricks To Help You Fix The Wood In Your Home

Other

More

Other ways to fill cement cast outdoor wall planters

Suggested Project Book

Related Discussions