IDEALIST Lite Ribbed Light Concrete Flower Box Review

Looking for a beautiful outdoor concrete planter, but are worried it will be too heavy? I recommend the Idealist ribbed light concrete flower box.

It’s not actually made from concrete, but rather fiberstone. It has the look, texture and durability of a concrete planter, but without being heavy and bulky. It’s perfect for outdoors and can withstand year-round weather. Of course, you can also use it as an indoor planter.

IDEALIST Lite Ribbed Light Concrete Flower Box Review

What Are You Buying?

1. Lightweight ‘Concrete’ Outdoor Planter

Concrete planters look great, they can withstand the elements and they last a long time. But they have a big problem – they are heavy. Once you add soil and plant something, it will be impossible to move it without help. Even a small concrete planter can be tedious to move.

Fiberstone planters like this one from Idealist is a great alternative. Fiberstone is a manmade material consisting of a blend of fibreglass, crushed stone and resin. It is much lighter than actual concrete, making it an excellent material for making planters and pots.

The Idealist flower box has the look and finish of concrete, down to the rough texture. So if you love the look of concrete in your home or garden, the Idealist flower box is perfect.

The idealist light concrete flower box is also extremely durable. You can use it outdoors confident that it will withstand all kinds of weather including sunshine, rain and frost. It is also resistant to fading, cracking and chipping, ensuring it will look good for years to come.

2. Medium-size Square Flower Box

The Idealist ribbed flower box is ideal if you are shopping for a medium-size square planter. It measures 40 cm long by 40cm wide and it is 38cm high. It has a 61-litre capacity. So it’s not that big, but it’s not a small planter either. It’s perfect for flowers, shrubs and small potted trees.

Note that the above dimensions are for the outside of the flower box. Because the walls are fairly thick (2-3cm), the internal dimensions are smaller by 4-6 cm.

3. Pre-drilled Drainage Holes

Don’t worry about making holes in the Idealist flower box for drainage. They come pre-drilled so all you need to do is put in your soil and plants.

The manufacturer recommends covering the holes with mesh to maintain good drainage. Standing water is not good for fiberstone, so you don’t want any waterlogging. It will kill your plant and damage the planter.

I also recommend using a high-drainage material for the bottom third of the planter to further improve water drainage. This can be coconut fibre, sand or hydro clay.

Tip: If you plan to use the planter indoors, remember to line it with a waterproof liner to prevent water from draining onto the floor.

4. Hand-crafted Design

The concrete-like rough finish on the Idealist flower box is handcrafted to make it look as authentic as possible.

The surface has a ribbed finish, which adds to the character of the planter. The flower box on its own is pretty enough even before you add flowers.

By the way, the Idealist planter is available only in black. But it blends well in any space. If you prefer a different colour, you can always repaint it.

How Easy Is It To Use?

One of the best things about getting the Idealist flower box is how light it is. You expect it to be heavy because it looks like concrete, but at just 8.5kg you’ll find it easy to move it around even once you add soil (though you should try to avoid this as much as possible as it can damage the planter).

The flower box is ready to use as it is. You don’t even need to make holes as they come pre-drilled. So you can get it and plant your flowers or something else right away.

What Accessories Are Included?

The Idealist fiberstone planter doesn’t come with any extra accessories. But there are a few things you should consider getting.

I highly recommend getting pot feet like this set of four feet made from the same fiberstone material. The feet will raise the planter above the ground to improve drainage and protect it from standing water.

There are plenty of other accessories and products you can get from GetPotted when you order the Idealist flower box including potting mix, stone pot toppers, and plants.

Pros

Highly durable.
Safe to use outdoors – can withstand weather elements.
Lightweight and easy to move.
Pre-drilled holes.
Beautiful handcrafted finish.

Cons

Fiberstone is vulnerable to standing water, so you have to be careful about drainage and where you position the planter.

Maintaining Your Idealist Fiberstone Flower Box

While fiberstone is weatherproof and very durable, it can easily get damaged by constant exposure to water. Rain is fine and you can water your plants as normal. The problem is if the planter is in constant contact with moisture.

The best way to maintain your Idealist flower box is to avoid putting it where standing water might collect. For extra protection, consider getting the planter feet I mentioned earlier.

Internal drainage is also important. If the soil gets waterlogged, it will reduce the lifespan of the planter. So keep the drain holes clear using mesh and using a good drainage material at the bottom of the planter.

The manufacturer recommends applying a concrete or water sealer on the outside and inside of the flower box. This will reduce the risk of water damage, increase the lifespan of the planter and keep it looking great for a long time.

Something else to keep in mind is that abrasive material will damage the surface of the planter. So handle it carefully. If it gets dirty, wipe it clean with a soft cloth and a mild soap solution.

Conclusion

With the Idealist fiberstone flower box, you get all the benefits of a concrete planter with none of the downsides. If you love the look, style and durability of concrete pots and planters but don’t want to deal with something heavy, the Idealist flower box is a great buy.