Cement Light Bulb Planter

Look no further than the recycle bin for this easy eye-catching upcycle idea! If you love air plants, you’ll adore this unique planter.

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Watch the video above, then gather the following supplies:

• Medium base porcelain lampholder with pull chain
• 8 oz. Rapid Set Cement All
• 2 oz. WaterLight bulb packaging
• Vaseline
• Binder clips
• Marker
• Standard base adapter
• Plastic water bottle
• Scissors
• Utility knife
• Air plant
• Clear cap (from hair product can or any similar round object like a film canister)

The recycle bin is full of ideas for crafting, like these plastic shells from LED light bulb packaging. So if you’re upgrading your light bulbs, save all the packaging – and accessories! In addition to the plastic shell, we also combined it with a standard base adapter from this chandelier bulb packaging (second pic).

These adapters are the trick to getting this cement planter to stand on its own (and can be purchased separately if you don't have a need for chandelier bulbs).

The last picture shows a closer look at the base adapters that allow the cement ‘bulb’ to be screwed into a porcelain lamp holder socket – just like a real light bulb!

The other element that allows this planter to stand is a porcelain lampholder like the thrifted one shown above. You may even have some of these if your basement is unfinished. So don’t forget to save them for crafts like this when you renovate and upgrade your lighting!

Use any straight side round object, like a film canister or hair spray cap to create a hole in the top.

Notch out the lip where your round object touches the top of the bulb packaging so you can get it to sit flush. Then trace around it with a marker. Cut a hole in the top as shown with scissors or a utility knife.

The film canister should be able to slide into the hole to displace the wet cement. That’s what will create the hole in the top for the air plant to sit in.

You’ll need a release agent so the cement mix doesn’t stick to the mold when it dries. An oil-based product like petroleum jelly, aka vaseline, is perfect for the job.

Use a piece of cotton to spread a coat of vaseline onto the inside of the mold. If it’s too thick, you’ll see texture when the cement dries so a little goes a long way.

To seal the plastic and prevent leaks, secure all sides of the light bulb packaging with binder clips.

In fact, put them tightly side-by-side so the cement will stay inside the mold.

Cut the water bottle in half, as shown. While the bottom half is used to support the mold, ready to receive the cement, the upper half is used as a funnel. It will help direct the cement as you pour.

For the cement mixture, the ratio is one part water to four parts cement. Our air plant holder uses 8 ounces of power and 2 ounces of water - with a little left over.

Mix the Rapid Set Cement All with water according to package directions, stirring for only a minute until the water is well absorbed.

Pour the mixture into the makeshift plastic bottle funnel.

Before inserting the film canister, tap the side to release air bubbles. I did that after on the video, but before is best so the air bubble have somewhere to go.

Now insert the film canister and tape it down so it stays put. Let the cement dry for 1 – 2 hours.

With the leftover cement, let it dry in the plastic container. Nothing goes to waste: we’ll use it later as a sanding block.

Take off the binder clips and remove the plastic light bulb shell.

The base adapter will likely have a light coat of cement on it so break off as much as you can.

A metal punch helps remove the rest. Tap it, as shown in the video, to crack the remaining dry cement on the base adapter.

If you don't mind the seams, you can just leave them. Or you can use the cement puck you made from the leftover cement as a sanding block to sand the ridges on the sides of the planter.

Screw your light bulb planter into the porcelain base and pop an air plant right into the top. Enjoy your new planter!

For more unique cement upcycles like these cement planter molds, get your craft mojo on: check out these projects. and subscribe to Birdz of a Feather.

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