Concrete & Stone Pots

Concrete, GRC, lightweight concrete and limestone: what the labels mean

Four materials share this collection and they behave very differently. Cast concrete is the traditional article, poured solid and heavy, stable in wind and cool around roots. GRC (glass reinforced concrete) achieves the same surface with fibreglass strands through a thin concrete shell, so a pot that would weigh 90kg in cast concrete comes in nearer 30kg. Lightweight concrete pieces such as the Harper and Emmerson ranges use a similar shell construction and make up most of the collection, which is why metre wide troughs here can still be lifted by two people. Thai limestone is the exception to every weight saving: each Essence, Barrel and Stella piece is carved from a single block, priced and weighted accordingly, and effectively permanent once placed.

Choosing the right size

Match the pot to the nursery pot the plant is growing in. A 200mm nursery pot drops into a decorative pot around 30cm wide, a 300mm pot wants roughly 40cm, and a 400mm to 500mm pot needs 60cm or more. Going one size larger than strictly necessary buys you a year or two before repotting. If you plant directly, keep the mix line 3cm to 5cm below the rim for watering. The collection runs from small cylinders and cubes through troughs and bowls to tree planters; the biggest mineral finish pieces also appear in the extra large pots collection.

Weathering, care and drainage

Concrete finishes are honest about their age, and that is mostly a virtue. Expect the surface to mellow over the first year, sometimes with faint white lime bloom as free lime works out of new concrete; it rinses off with water and a soft brush. New cast concrete and GRC can raise the pH of the first few waterings, so flush a new pot through two or three times before planting anything lime sensitive. Limestone develops a soft grey patina and, in shade, a little moss, which suits it. All pieces here have or accept drainage holes. Sit pots on feet rather than flat on paving so the hole stays clear, and use a premium potting mix. If the raw grey palette is what draws you, the grey and concrete look pots gather every shade of it in one place.

Common questions

Is GRC as durable as cast concrete?

For garden use, yes. The fibreglass reinforcement resists cracking and chipping well, and GRC copes with frost and coastal exposure. Cast concrete still wins where brute stability matters, such as a windy rooftop with a tall plant acting as a sail.

Will concrete pots stain my paving?

They can leave a damp ring if they sit flat. Pot feet solve it, keep drainage working and let the base dry out, which is worth doing under any material.

Can concrete and stone pots stay out in frost?

Yes. Concrete, GRC and limestone are among the most frost proof pot materials available, which makes them the safe choice for cold inland and southern gardens.

How does delivery work for heavy pots?

Standard sizes are delivered Australia wide from $29.95 with no minimum order. The largest and heaviest pieces are freighted at cost, quoted for your address. If a piece needs styling with warmth beside it, the rustic and aged pots collection pairs naturally with raw concrete.