Hypertufa Strata Planter

Bring the High Alpine into your Garden

Making hypertufa strata planters is similar to hypertufa fissures, but horizontal instead of upright.

These are made specifically to plant Sempervivum or other hardy succulent plants in. With the tiny amount of soil available, only really tough plants will survive.

I use the tiny species of Sempervivum, such as Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Encader’, or Sempervivum montanum minimum. Any of the tiny clustering types will work, as well as the miniscule Sedum species such as Sedum griffithsii, or Sedum pluricaule. Adapted to high mountain crags, these plants will survive quite well tucked into the fissures and cracks of your hypertufa strata planters.

**Making a Hypertufa Strata Planter**

Here’s how to make Hypertufa Strata Planters:

Start with a couple of handfuls of hypertufa mix. It should be quite pliable and wet, not crumbly. Pat this into a pancake on a piece of plywood covered in 2 mil poly.

A couple more handfuls of mix are placed on one side, and made into a line right on the edge of the pancake.

Roll up several sheets of newspaper into a tube. Put this alongside the line of the mix.

Cover with more mix, blending it into the line that’s already there.

You can make one more layer in a similar fashion, using more newspaper.

This is a very delicate procedure, and the hypertufa strata planter must be left covered to cure for several days. After this time, carefully place it in a water bath.

Leave the newspaper alone, and basically it will disintegrate in the water. Don’t try and pull it out as this usually shatters the layers.

**Hypertufa Strata Planter**

Curing hypertufa strata planters will take a week or more – don’t rush this phase.

Once the hypertufa feels as though it’s set up and hardened, you can carefully fill it with fast draining soil mix and plant the hardy succulents of your choice in between the layers. The end result is a charming little display reminiscent of high alpine peaks.

See Drought Smart Plants for more information on hardy succulents for planting in your hypertufa projects.

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Hypertufa Projects

Rustic Crafts

Hypertufa Pinch Pot Tutorial

Building hypertufa pots is a bit challenging - start small with some hypertufa pinch pots to make a charming display filled with tiny Sedum, Sempervivum and Jovibarba, or some of the many beautiful diminutive alpine plants.

Use equal parts by volume of the following ingredients:

Sifted peat moss to remove any larger debris - this can be a higher proportion - up to 1.5 parts.

Perlite - this can be a higher proportion - up to 1.5 parts.

Portland cement powder

You can also add builders sand, or sandblasting slag for stronger mix, for larger items especially. There are many different recipes - some call for sifting the peat moss to a very fine powder, or add fiberglass reinforcing fibers. Experiment until you find your perfect recipe.

Using your gloved hands mix until all ingredients are well combined.

Add water carefully, mixing between each addition. The final result is like a mud pie - it will hold together without crumbling, and hold its shape when formed into a ball.

handfuls of hypertufa mix in plastic bags

Each bag will hold a little pot - use a couple of handfuls, and aim for an equal depth all around. Make sure you put a drain hole in the bottom.

Don't miss the all important curing step in a water bath. See the whole sequence on the Hypertufa Pinch Pots page.

Plant your precious little pots with your favorite succulent plants or alpines, or even moss.

See these pages for more:
How to Make Hypertufa
Hypertufa Pots
Hypertufa Container
How to Make Hypertufa Look Old