Cast iron cauldrons make for great planters in any garden. Their unique, vintage look stands out and adds character. Cauldrons come in many sizes so you can use small ones for herbs or larger ones for flowers and shrubs. Let your creativity run wild when brainstorming how to use iron cauldrons to enhance your outdoor space. Here are 10 creative cast iron cauldron planter ideas to spruce up your garden.
1. Hanging Cauldron Planter
Hang a cast iron cauldron from a tree branch, pergola, or other structure. This allows you to utilize vertical space and enables the vines or cascading flowers to flow freely. Place a plastic pot inside the cauldron and fill it with potting mix. Opt for easy-care plants like ivy, ferns, petunias, or fuchsia. Hang the cauldron using strong hooks and chains so it’s secure. This stunning display makes an impact while taking up minimal ground space.
2. Herb Planter
Cast iron cauldrons make charming herb planters Their vintage aesthetic matches the old-fashioned quality of many herbs Group 3-5 small cauldrons together and plant each with a different culinary herb like thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, or mint. Arrange them near your kitchen door for easy access when cooking. The shallow shape and wide opening of most cauldrons is ideal for herbs.
3. Succulent Display
The unique shape of cast iron cauldrons complements succulents beautifully Plant a variety of hardy succulents in a large cauldron. Opt for a mix of heights, textures, and colors for visual interest Place a layer of pebbles or moss at the bottom for drainage before adding succulent potting mix. situate the cauldron in full sun for healthy growth. Succulents are low maintenance once established so this planter can thrive with minimal care.
4. Water Garden
Turn a cast iron cauldron into a striking water feature in your garden. Choose a large cauldron and place flat stones, pebbles, or marbles at the bottom. Fill most of the way with water and add water plants like lotus, water lilies, or hyacinths. Floating candles or lights create a magical ambiance at night. Place the cauldron under a flowing water spout or include a small recirculating pump to prevent stagnant water.
5. Fairy Garden
Let kids create their own fairy garden sensation in an iron cauldron. Start by lining the bottom with pebbles or moss for drainage. Add rich potting mix then help them select petite plants like ferns, violets, thyme, baby tears, and pixie dwarf conifers. Accessorize with fairy figurines, small gazebos, miniature benches, and little pathways. Place the cauldron where they can admire their handiwork. It’s a great way to spark their imagination and connect kids with nature.
6. Flower Tower
Get creative with stacked cast iron cauldrons of varying sizes to create a vertical flower tower. Place the largest cauldron on the ground. Set progressively smaller cauldrons on top, cementing them together. Plant the top cauldron with trailing vines like ivy or passionflowers that will cascade down the sides. Use the lower cauldrons for upright flowering plants like lantana, petunias, or geraniums. The tower makes a bold statement anywhere in the garden.
7. Tabletop Fire Pit
Entertain guests in style with a cast iron cauldron fire pit on a patio table. Choose a cauldron approximately 2 feet wide and place it on a sturdy table or pedestal. Add fire glass, lava rock, or decorative candles for ambiance. Take safety precautions – make sure the table is nonflammable and keep the fire low. This eye-catching centerpiece sparks conversation and keeps guests cozy on cool evenings. Use it year-round.
8. Overflowing Flowers
A generously planted cauldron makes a fabulous focal point. Select a large cast iron cauldron and fill it to the brim with an abundance of colorful flowering plants. Opt for a mix of heights and textures for lots of visual appeal. Trailing plants like petunias, million bells, or ivy spill elegantly over the sides. Upright plants like zinnias, marigolds, or geraniums add height and dimension. Place this stunning arrangement on your patio, at the end of a garden path, or by your front door.
9. Cascading Succulent Planter
Show off your succulent collection in a hanging cast iron cauldron with plants spilling over the edges. Choose trailing succulents like burro’s tail, string of pearls, donkey tail, and sedum. Plant the cauldron generously, allowing the succulents to drape over the sides dramatically. Hang the cauldron on a covered porch or pergola so the dangling plants are protected from harsh sun and rain. The lush, cascading greenery makes a living work of art.
10. Raised Garden Bed
Cast iron cauldrons make unique raised garden beds. Sink the cauldron several inches into the ground and fill with rich potting soil. The round shape allows you to access plants from all sides. Opt for compact vegetables like lettuce, kale, radishes, or bush beans that will maximize the limited space. For flowers, choose low-growing varieties like lobelia, alyssum, impatiens, or violas. Place your cauldron garden in a high-traffic area to show off its charm.
The vintage vibe of cast iron cauldrons reawakens nostalgia while their bold silhouette makes a statement in any garden. Get creative with these 10 planter ideas to transform ordinary cauldrons into artistic centrepieces. Display a single cauldron as a focal point or group multiples together for drama. Whether planting herbs, flowers, or succulents there are endless possibilities make your landscape uniquely you. Let your personality and style shine through with DIY cast iron cauldron planters.
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FAQ
How to plant in a cast iron cauldron?
How do you seal a cast iron planter?
How to use an iron cauldron?
Can a rusted cauldron be used as a planter?
A rusted cauldron can be turned into a planter that works well in the garden. The rough finish and functional wheels and pulley add character. This large cast iron effect planter looks eye-catching with brightly coloured flowers.
How can you support a cast iron cauldron?
Here are some options for supporting a cast iron cauldron: Three legs – Many cast iron cauldrons come with legs, typically three, which give the cast iron cauldron balance and stability. Tripod – If your cast iron cauldron does not have legs, you could purchase a tripod to easily support it over a firepit.
What is a cast iron cauldron?
A cast iron cauldron is a large cooking vessel with a domed bottom. It cannot stand by itself, so it either needs to have legs (usually 3) or some other support mechanisms. Here are some options for supporting cast iron cauldrons:
What can you cook in a cast iron cauldron?
Cast iron cauldrons are excellent for cooking over camp fires or fire places and for centuries humans have used them to cook anything from stews and soups, to meat and beans.Cast iron cauldrons can also be used as incense burners when granular or powder incense is burned within the cauldron.