Faux Concrete Succulent Planters

These faux concrete succulent planters really look like they are made from concrete! But they are so much simpler AND less messy to create.

This post is sponsored by FloraCraft®. As always, all opinions and ideas are my own.

Succulents: the plants that can’t be killed. Right? Wrong!

I can keep them alive just fine outdoors. But they die a slow death indoors at my house.

But, that’s why they make faux succulents right?

Faux succulents are SO realistic that most people can’t tell they aren’t real unless they touch them.

I love having faux succulents in my home.

They are a great way to brighten up a space.

Coming up with fun and unique planters for succulents is even more fun!

Like these Faux Concrete Succulent Planters made out of… dun, dun, dunnn… foam balls!

I was super excited when FloraCraft® asked me to participate in a Blogger Blitz using their FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam Balls!

A box full of foam balls and the only instructions are to make something fabulous? Can do!

I received a box full of foam balls in a crazy amount of sizes.

I already have projects planned for the balls I haven’t yet used!

For this project you will need:
FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam Balls
Foam Cutter
Foam sanding tool
Smooth Finish
Paint
Paintbrushes
Gold washi tape
Faux succulents
Crushed shells

I selected 3 different sizes of foam balls to work with.

Use the handy Foam Cutter with the large blade to cut off the bottom of each ball just enough to make it sit flat.

Then, core out a hole in the top of each ball with the smaller blade (like you would cut the stem off of a tomato).

If you don’t cut quite straight (*cough, cough*) you can use a foam sanding tool to easily straighten things out.

*Note: The above steps are messy! I recommend spreading out a large sheet of wrapping paper (like what stores wrap your breakables in when they ring you up) on your work surface for these steps.

Once you’re satisfied with your carving skills, coat the the foam balls with a thin coat of Smooth Finish.

This first coat is to get into all of the pores of the foam.

Once dry, apply a second, more liberal coat of the Smooth Finish.

Since we’re going for a concrete look, the texture doesn’t need to be smooth. A rough coat will look more realistic.

Once the Smooth Finish is completely dry, cover with a coat of gray acrylic paint.

I used Americana Slate Grey. Be sure to get in all of the nooks and crannies.

You will need to go back a couple of times to be sure you didn’t miss any spots.

Once the Slate Grey is dry, go back and dab on very light amounts of a slightly darker gray all over the ball to contrast the lighter color and give dimension to the “concrete.”

I gave the balls a “dipped” look by brushing on different colors of acrylic paint with a wide flat brush.

Apply multiple coats if necessary.

Once the paint is dry, wrap washi tape around the painted edge.

Alternatively you can apply gold leaf foil.

Trim the stem of the faux succulent to ~1″-2″, depending on the size of the ball it is going into.

Place the stem into the hole you carved in the top of the ball.

Fill the rest of the hole with the crushed shells.

You can easily color coordinate the faux concrete planters with your existing home decor.

And won’t people be surprised at how lightweight these are if they pick them up!

I love the shock factor when they realize it’s not really concrete.

 

>> See where I party! <<