Have you seen large concrete leaves decorating fountains and gardens? Photos of these unusual sculptural accents are showing up in all the gardening magazines. You may have wondered how they’re made. We (Pete and Dianne Havekost) are now providing an illustrated tutorial to show you exactly how to make your own concrete leaves. They are quite expensive if you buy them at a garden store, but it isn’t difficult to make your own.
Gunnera Leaf Made With Concrete
Pete has been working with concrete for years, and Dianne is an interior designer who’s design skills really shine in the garden as well as in the home. It was natural for us to go home and start making their own concrete leaves after we saw one on a friend’s deck. We had no instructions to go by, so we “did it by feel.” We’ve sold concrete leaves locally to be used as garden accents and in fountains. We have also donated several concrete leaves to fundraising auctions presented by the Young Ambassadors gymnastic group in Tacoma, WA, where the leaves were a big hit. Others have been given to family and friends as gifts.
Throughout the site you’ll find ideas for using concrete leaves in your garden decor. Be sure to visit our other pages.
How to Make a Concrete Leaf for Your Garden
To make your own concrete leaf, follow the instructions below:
| 1.
You will need a table at a comfortable working Choose a leaf with nice vein patterns in the size you want. You can use a small leaf or a huge leaf – It’s up to you. On your table, build a sand mound about the size and shape of the leaf you’ve chosen. |
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| 2.
Cover the sand with thin plastic to keep the sand out of your work. |
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| 3.
Cut chicken wire the approximate shape and size of your leaf. |
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| 4.
Lay the chosen leaf face down (back side of leaf should be up) |
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| 5.
Put a fairly thin layer of concrete on the leaf. Then fit a precut piece of chicken wire to the back of the leaf. |
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| 6.
Put another thin layer of concrete on and finish Cover with plastic and allow to cure slowly. If the concrete dries too quickly, it may crack or be less strong. If it is very hot outside, you can mist the concrete before covering it with plastic. |
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| 7.
When cured, peal leaf off concrete – and it’s done! |
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Wow!! Thank you!!! I have wanted to know how to do this for ages!
Thank you for the comment. You can make variations by just turning up the ends of the leaves. Have fun.
Grampa PETE
Thank you for this tutorial – it looks like a lot of fun. If you want to add more shape by turning up the ends of the leaves, do you do that by shaping the sand pile or at some point between pouring the cement onto the leaf shape and final covering with the cement? Also, how do you mount the leaves onto something that will support them off the ground?
Hi Janet. Yes, you shape the leaf by changing the mound of sand. You can put blocks under a large leaf, or maybe use a piece of Styrofoam. You can also make custom supports with concrete, but I don’t have any photos showing how to do that.
i would like to know how much of each do you use like for small job and how much sand to mixes please
I don’t add any sand – I always use the redi-mix that has the sand already in it.
I will have fun. Again, thank you for sharing. Lovely photo of you and your wife!
Absolutely gorgeous! What do you add to make them different colors? Can you use groute instead of concrete? Thank you for the tutorial!
love watching wish this was on a video or cd
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how awesome I must try this!
Pete: This is amazing! The possibilities are endless! Thank you.
Yay! This looks like a fun project. Thanks for sharing the how-to.
I have done this and it is great fun. But I would like to know which concrete you used, as mine were “rough”.
Hi Ladyblug;
We use the bagged concrete from Lowes and add about 5 or 6 pounds of Portland cement to add strength and workability. Thank you for your interest and sorry it took so long to get back to you.
Grampa Pete
I love it…..I would have never thought that it would look so natural and be so detailed, I want to try this with a Gunnera leaf….I think it would make a great bench in my water garden, thank you for the insperation.
Thank you so much for this wonderful project. I live out in the country on a small plot of wooded land of 17 acres. I wanted natural elements to put in my gardens around the house. This is perfect! Thank you.
Thank you!! These instructions are great. I found my way here from your video on You Tube. These are obviously decorative, have you made any you have used as stepping stones? If so, what part of the process is different?
Thanks so much!
I saw on another page where they had painted them this shiny glean…any idea what kind of paint to use on these? Loved the tutorial?
Thanks so much for the instructions! Your work is beautiful. I want to try to make one sometime soon. You mentioned that you just need to “turn” the ends of the leaf up to make variations…how do you do that? Do you do it by making curves and and high and low spotts in you sand underneith everything? I would love to try and make a large leaf like your but I dont want it to be flat. I would love the edges to be rippled like yours. How do you make that effect?
Hollen;
Sounds like you are on the right course. The weight of the concrete will push the leaf down to the sand so if you want the ends to turn up make the sand to fit.
Grampa Pete
Thank you so much for your detailed instructions. I’ve wanted to do these for some time now and with your easy instructions I can get it done. Thank you , thank you!
Nanette;
Have fun. Please send pictures.
Grampa Pete
What kind of cement did you use for the leaves…they look so nice
Diane;
I use quickrete from lowes and add about 4 pounds of portland cement to an 80 pound bag. It seems to work quite well.
Grampa Pete
how do you paint them?
Doreen,
I have never painted one of my leaves. There some stains that look interesting. If it works I will post it.
Grampa Pete
I have made about 60 of these leaves in the past couple of years. I figured this out by myself and also thought of the chicken wire which is truly essential for strength. I paint my leaves. I have seen some that were blended colors, but I don’t blend, I use artist brushes or old brushes and just a few bristles and work in layers with color. They are very beautiful. I use bronze, gold, silver, for highlight and patio acrylic paint and regular acrylic’s in all different colors. I then seal them with a spray sealer of choice. With my leaves the key is not to blend into one smooth color. I am wanting to make a special leaf now and put the cremated remains of our beloved pet cat in it with his name and picture. Do you know if the remains will weaken the cement and how much can I put in the entire leaf itself safely. Also how can I in cooperate a picture into the leaf permanently?
Patti said: re: putting cat remains and picture in the leaf…..I think you could get a frame that was plastic front and back that is sort of enclosed. seal the open end and put it in the leaf.
You might buy two and try it first as a dry run. Or you might even laminate the picture where you could cut it out and have the form of the cat rather than the square picture. I’m not sure if that would get condensation inside tho. Good luck
Hi Grampa Pete,
I noticed you posted that you used quickrete from lowes and add about 4 pounds of portland cement to an 80 pound bag, but and 80 pound bag of what type of quickrete? The man at Lowes said that quickrete is a name brand and you don’t specify which type of quickrete. Please list the exact types and amount of each item.
Also, any chance you can reply by tomorrow or tonight, as I am in a time crunch and just found your site.
Thank you sooooo much.
Hi Lilian,
I use just regular Quickrete and add a little Portland cement. Quickrete does make a stronger mix and it might work just as well.
Grampa Pete
Iv’e used the yellow bag of quickrete from Lowes , sifted some of the stones out to have a smoother mixture . I did not use any chicken wire or anything else , and they have held together very well ( 1 got cracked in half – but I didnt use as much concrete on that one ) . I used acrylic pain to paint them in layers , and sealed it when dry with concrete sealer . They color has faded a little , but they still look beautiful . This is a fun project that doesnt take long . Thanks for your tips on making the concrete stronger .
Hi Grandpa Pete
I made my first leaf and so excited, but I used 1/2 inch wire which was
really hard to bend. Will screen work or the larger chicken wire that
is one and half inches better to use because that is really pliable. I
dont want to make them to thick but I want them to hold together.
What should I do.
Thanks, Sharon
Hi Sharon,
The one inch chicken wire would be easier to use. Lately, I’ve been using plastic mesh, like the kind they sell to keep deer out of the garden. It works just fine for smaller leaves. On really small leaves, like hostas, you don’t need any reinforcing at all.
I hope this helps,
Grampa Pete
Howdy There Grandpa Pete!
What is the liquid additive (it is yellow, about 1 ounce) you pour in the mixer after you have added water, and where can I get it? It looks like it thins the cement. Thank you for your talent and patience with this wonderful project. Take care, Kathy
The product is called Adva. I think they sell it in 50 gallon containers, which would last you for many years – but you might be able to talk the guys at your local pre-mix company to sell you a small container.
You might be able to find another brand of “super plasticizer” at a pre-mix company if they don’t have that brand. You don’t actually have to use the product – it just makes it easier to make a thin mix without adding more water that would weaken the mix.
Grampa Pete
Just found this site. Awesome possum. Is there a recipe for just mixing up a small amount of Quickcrete or do you have to use the whole bag all at once?
Hi Vicki,
You can mix as much as you want. There is no rule.
Grampa Pete
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These are beautiful! I have been making them for about 2 years. All sizes, shapes, and colors:) I have yet to make one with a tile insert inside of that has turned outnicely. I have seen many done and they look lovely. Do you or anyone else have any suggestions for me?
I’m not sure we know what you mean by a tile insert inside. Can you add a link to a photo of one, so we can see what it looks like?
I am not sure as to how to. That is part of the problem… I don’t know how to post that:(
Just send us a link to a photo on someone’s site. If you’ve seen it somewhere, you can give us the link so we can see it, too.
Hi Grandpa Pete,
How on earth did you make the concrete head, pots? I would love to learn how to do that.
Thank you very much.
Lilian
Hello, I love your video and instructional on making the concrete leaves. You are so kind to share this information. I think I might have to have a go and improvise with brands we have over here in the UK. Love it ! A brilliant inspiring share x Val x =0)
LOVE THIS!! And I can’t wait to try it! I am also going to try your “potheads” AH-May-Zing!
Thank you for sharing!!
re: putting cat remains and picture in the leaf…..I think you could get a frame that was plastic front and back that is sort of enclosed. seal the open end and put it in the leaf.
You might buy two and try it first as a dry run. Or you might even laminate the picture where you could cut it out and have the form of the cat rather than the square picture. I’m not sure if that would get condensation inside tho. Good luck
Carolyn wanted to add the CREMATED cat ashes to her concrete mix. It should make very little difference in the finished leaf provide it was at least 12-14 inches long and not a huge cat. It sounds like a beautiful way to remember a loved pet.
I’ve done this before and the leaf is hard to peal off. I put plastic wrap over the leaf and sprayed the plastic with cooking spray oil then applied the concrete. It worked great with no hassle of removing the leaf
Tami, i am trying to understand – so you plastic over the sand/compost then you put down the leaf and then plastic wrap over the leaf… spraying the plastic wrap with cooking spray then applied the concrete?
Yes, that’s right. The first plastic is to keep the sand out of the concrete. The second plastic is to keep the concrete from drying out too fast. And the cooking spray keeps the plastic from sticking to the concrete.
That is a great idea. Should work as long as you don’t lose the detain in the leaves. Thanks for the tip! Sometimes its easy to get off and sometimes not.
detail in leaves I meant LOL!
Hi Tami,
It seems you would lose some detail if you put plastic between leaf and concrete. I spray the leaf with Pam. It’s not perfect but it works pretty good.
Grampa Pete
Definitely going to try that Pete! Sometimes I had just let the leaf dry then it just crumbled off too.
A “release” better than Pam is:
Five parts mineral spirits
One part Vaseline
Mist leaf and let the mineral spirits “gas off”…
Thanks, John. Good suggestion.
Grampa Pete, we really enjoyed watching your video and are thinking about giving it a try 🙂
Hi Joscie, Thank you for your interest in the video. I hope it was some help.
Grampa Pete
Hi
Your work is amzing but where do you find the huge leaves? I think i need to travel more for this. Gorgeous!
Hi Kim,
The big leaves are Gunera and get very large. The ones I have done are really quite small because the big ones would be to hard to handle.
Grampa Pete
Thanks!
Super
I am making concrete totems. Would like to know what to do with a piece which I left too long to dry. It’s already two days old and I would still like to add more cement to create features… would the cement still stick onto the already dry piece??
sabine algosaibi
There is probably some kind of glue you can mix with your concrete or epoxy would work. Epoxy would be my choice.
Grampa Pete
I just Love your leaf project was very interesting, you remind me of my dad …you touch my heart. Learning was fun there are beautiful leaves in Kauai. When I make one will send you a pic. Thank you
Thank you Cheri,
It is very nice to hear from you. I will look foward to seeing the pics.
Grampa Pete
thank you for this amazing tutorial, and thank you for mentioning about the chicken wire!!
Doing this as soon as I’ll find the right leaves!
featured on my blog today!
http://www.inspirationrealisation.com/2012/12/do-inspire-yourself-19.html
Donatella
Hi guys! Thanks so much for sharing and the easy to follow tutorial. Your instructions are so straight forward. I too was going to make a leaf just by “feeling it” then I thought I better check it out online first. I’m so glad I found you.
I mde my first one in fall, using a large rhubarb leaf. I had no idea how to find a Gunnera leaf, so this was the only large leaf that I could get my hands on! It turned out really well and I love it. It will take two people to place it in the garden in spring, as it is very heavy.
If you want a gunnera leaf, the best way is to grow one. They grow well in Bellingham, but they do take a lot of water, and they take up a very large amount of space.
This was a real find!! My husband and I are retired and wanting to get in touch with our creative side….I’ve chosen Polymer Clay as a medium and I think my husband will love this . Thanks for sharing.
Hello Dear Pete! Huge request ! Please tell me the recipe )) on the concrete, which is placed in part with reinforcement rods and trimmed with a trowel for graphics imitating natural stone in the construction of curbs, as well as in the construction of the waterfalls and the other … . Thank you!
Envar .
Russia !
Thank you so much Mr. Pete…fantastic directions! You are a Doll!
if you are using very large hosta leaves or elephant ears or maybe banana leaves or rubarb leaves how many will one bag of concrete make
Hello Pete,
I just found your directions on how to make the cement leaves. This is an awesome work of art! I watched the video and read thru the comments and I have a question. How do you join the leaves together to form the bowl effect and what does the whole thing sit on?
Thank you soo much .
I have found that incorporating one inch glass fiber into my mix provides much more strength than chicken wire. Have you ever tried this?
John, where do you get the glass fiber? I have asked at home depot & lowes & they have no idea what I am talking about. Thanks
They don’t sell the fibers alone in big box stores, but you can get them online.
Adorei o post !
Muito interessante e criativo !
Parabéns !!!
Envar February 18, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Hello Dear Pete! Huge request ! Please tell me the recipe )) on the concrete, which is placed in part with reinforcement rods and trimmed with a trowel for graphics imitating natural stone in the construction of curbs, as well as in the construction of the waterfalls and the other … . Thank you!
Envar .
Russia !
Grandpa Pete
You used a cement mixer for mixing. Can I simply use a 5 gallon bucket?
I can’t wait to try this. Thank you so much for teaching this online.
A mixer is much better but you can mix in anything you like. Rember that the more water you add the less strength you will have. Only put enough water to make your mix workable. Have fun.
Grampa Pete
Hi, this is awesome. Just wondering about the part where you say you peel the leaf off the cement? In the description, it looks like you only put the cement on the back of the leaf, so does the cement bleed through the leaf to the front side? Trying to visualize how the front is reinforced. And also if you peel the leaf off does that mean that the chicken wire you used is just temporary and doesn’t actually end up on the backside of the leaf? Thanks in advance
Wow Beautiful. I will be making a few of these for my house. thank you.
I WANT TO TRY THESE !!! THEY ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL ! I WILL START SMALL AND THEN I THINK THE BIGGEST I WILL TRY IS A RHUBARB LEAF. THANKS FOR SHARING !
How did you get the colors?
Very beautiful I have go to try this very good job
Now that I have “me” time, this is on my top 10 list. How do I tint/color the concrete?
Thanks Grampa. Im working from home doing all kinds of things for the garden and then sell it to the nursery. this was an excellent idea! i love it! Sure going to try this as soon as i have the time. If the “leave” is deep enough it can also go through as a bird feeder or bird bath! Have any more ideas for me on garden things thats quick and easy? will appreciate it. Just keep in mind im a woman and larger things I cant move would not do. Thanks alot for this great idea
Thank you so much for your instructions for concrete leaves. I am so excited to try it myself. I have a Secret Garden area here is SE Arizona. I love to have water features, as it doesn’t rain often here, and it will be fun to incorporate the concrete into the landscape. Many Thanks, Katie
Wow! Those are beautiful and I hope to try this someday!
Thanks for sharing 😀
Love your work… I plan to try it. The picture on facebook that I saw had a multicolored almost iridescent sheen of blues greens and coppers? how did you achieve that color effect? Airbrush? Paintbrush? and what did you use in terms of paint?
That was done with acrylic paint, with a matte varnish for the final coat.
My wife loves these leaves. We had one at our house that was made by a previous homeowner but it was recently broken by a contractor working at the house. Do you sell leaves? Thanks!
Thanks for the great instructions on how to make concrete leaves. I have made a few myself and even hosted a girls night where we all were able to make these great garden additions. My question is how does one paint these leaves with the Pearl Ex powder pigment, what medium is best used, and did you air brush them?
Thanks
Wendy
Hi Wendy. I’ve never used the Pearl Ex powder pigment, so I can’t help you with the painting question. My daughter painted one with acrylic paints and a brush, but I actually like the plain concrete color, myself. The people who make the pigments should be able to help you with your questions.
Is there anywhere in Bellingham to buy your concrete garden leaves? Thanks, Phil
Help, how do you protect pigment paint from sun and water
Destroying the sparkle and beauty
I have tried gloss acrylic clear spray
You could try an outdoor varnish with UV protection. You need to read the labels carefully, since some Spar varnishes will protect a piece from rain, but not sun, and it’s the sun that causes paint to fade. You would also need to reapply the varnish every few years. If possible, you might also want to keep a painted piece out of direct sunlight, to slow down the damage.
HI,
I have made litterally 50 leaves for my friends,family and myself.
i will send pictures of them to you.
But as I said, It has just rained here, I have put a varnish and I have used even a cement sealer over the paint.
It just rained here and the water sitting in them, turns these sealers white??
darn.
any other ideas would be great!
Ricki, do you mean you used a cement sealer on top of your paint? I think it’s normally used to seal the concrete before painting. Let us know the brand you used, and if it stays white after it dries. It might not.
I seal after it has been painted..it dries clear
But when it gets wet down the road? It discolors with a ring where water was
Oh boy, so frustrating
Love these leaves. I am just now learning to be one with the cement. My question is this…has anyone tried this with artificial leaves? I live in a very arid climate, and there is a real dearth of large leaves. I’ve seen a few fakes that are at least large enough to try. Any input on this idea?
It might work, but you’ll need to make sure the concrete won’t stick to the artificial leaf. Use a release of some kind, and do a little test first, if you can.
Pete….great video .I finally found Portland cement in a 47pound bag that I can carry at Ace
Hardware.What is my Ratio for portland to quickcrete?…( two
eaves) .To both of these I just add water?
The consistency of brownie mix ?
This is also good for Stepping stones?
Sorry or all the questions
thank
Terry
I have made MANY concrete leaves. I would send some photos of some but cannot figure out how to attach a photo to this blog:(
Hi Lisa. We can’t add photos to comments, but you could put your photos on Flickr or another photo sharing site and give us the URL.
Have you painted the leaves?
Also if you have can i request you contact. Me by email ,Lisa?
No, I don’t paint my leaves. I know a lot of people do that, but I like the color of natural concrete.
I have painted mine, using patio paints, from the craft store. They blend very nicely and you can also water them down for nice shading. After they are done completely dry, I use a clear sealer. Be sure to paint the underneath part also, even if you use a different color, where it can’t be seen, as long as you put clear sealer on All of it. Have fun!! Lilian
To Sandy,
I have heard of people using vegetable or corn oil as a release on leaves. I would just give it a try for the artificial leaf. Maybe it might work there too.
Lilian
Thanks Lilian. I will give it a try. I also want to try painting them. This blog is a great resource.
Sandy
How did you get the irridesent color on the one posted on facebook???
Sorry should have read the whole strand. Thanks for sharing…they are very beautiful!!!
Hello, I have a few photos on a facebook page called Sticks and Stones. I make them due to a disability called RSD/CRPS. If you “like” the page you can read about it and see some of the many (hundreds) of stones I have made.
hey – wanted to say thanks for posting the video. I think your leaves are very nice! I would like to try some time.
Was just wondering, is there another way to make a large leaf when you don’t have large leaves available?
You could sculpt one by hand, I suppose. Or find a mold – you might be able to get a latex mold online. Do a Google search.
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Awesome. Excellent tutorial please make more
This was so inspiring, can’t wait to try it. Thank you sooooo much for sharing your talent.
Lovely! I habe made the leaves. But how did did you attachthen for the fountain?
Thanks!
When my dad uses them in a pond, he just props them up on rocks or blocks, and then lets water flow over them.
Hi just found your website on your leaves can you please tell us how you made the flower pot heads you mention as I am interested in trying to make some . Thank you . Dot Clarke Australia.
Hi Dorothi. The heads start out as a clay sculpture, and then we make a mold using silicone. (We like Rebound 25, from Smooth-on). Before the concrete is poured into the mold, a plastic flower pot is put into it to create the space for plants.
The process is a bit complicated. If you’d like to know more about casting concrete, the Smooth-on website has a good tutorial that shows how to make a sculpted planter. They use a slightly different technique, but their two-part mold might actually be easier.
Question on how to make the flower pot heads .Dot Australia
I’m impressed, how creative. Going to make a couple of these, thanks
how long from start to finish.
You’ll need to leave the concrete to cure, and not take it off the leaf too soon. If you start one morning, the project should be done the next morning, although the concrete will continue to get harder over the course of a month.
I used quickset and mixed in a large plastic tub but the mixture didn’t hold together Did I not let it “Cure ” long enough or mix incorrectly or not stir it enough Help I think they are so beautiful Thanks Sandy
Sandy, when you mention you used Quick Set, do you mean you used a sack of fast-setting joint compound? If so, it won’t work with a project like this. You need a bag of actual concrete mix. The kind with sand and gravel already in the bag with the Portland cement. Quikrete is one brand. They’ll have it at your local Lowes or Home Depot.
Hi I would like to make a fountain,with 3 leaves what do I use to space the leaves apart.
If one wanted to connect the concrete leave to a stem or post or something else how do you do that? Thanks! I love the leave with the nesting cat in the middle.
I loved the video.. I’m so excited to give it a try! Thank you Pete!!! Your the best!
Gosh, thanks, Ashley. Have fun!