What are corten steel planters?

Corten steel is highly weather-resistant steel and has a typical brown rust color. This type of metal has the unique property that it forms a very dense oxide skin (rust layer) by itself. The dense oxide skin shields the underlying material from oxygen. As a result, oxidation is greatly delayed, while corrosion (the rusting process) continues. This creates the brown-orange rust color.

Note: the rust color must still develop after delivery

Your Corten steel planter is delivered to you untouched, in a gray metallic color. After two to six months, a brown/orange layer of rust forms, resulting in a planter with rust color. No treatment is required for this: nature does its work. You simply leave the planter outside and the various weather conditions will allow the planter to rust. After about 3 months, the desired rust effect will be visible. Please note that during the rusting process, Corten steel planters may shed.

Is a corten steel planter still not what you are looking for? Then check out our full range of steel planters including planters powder coated steel.

Corten steel flower box made to measure

Looking for a steel planter with a modern look? Then choose a corten steel planter, also known as a rusty planter. Our assortment is very diverse so there is something for everyone. Do you have specific dimensions in mind? Good news: You can also custom corten steel planters realized by MySteel. This is because we produce our planters in-house, so all materials and tools are available. Tell us your wishes and we will get to work on a custom-made flower box.

Get inspired:

• Square corten steel planters
• Rectangular corten steel planters
• L shape corten steel planters
• Hexagonal corten steel planters
• Octagonal Corten steel planters

Corten steel planter filling in 4 steps

1. First of all, fill the bottom of the planter with pebbles or lava rocks. Make sure you create a layer about 10 centimeters high. Note: do not use hydro grains - these always retain moisture so the rusting process continues. As a result, the steel may rust through.
2. Place an anti-root cloth over the pebbles or lava rocks. This cloth hinders the growth of roots but is permeable to moisture. This allows rain or other precipitation to run down to the ground. The anti-root cloth should be large enough so that the cloth can be placed about 10 cm up against the edge.
3. Apply a generous layer of potting soil to the anti-root cloth. Press the potting soil lightly. The planter may be filled liberally, to about 2 to 6 inches below the rim.
4. Time for the planting! A Corten steel planter can hold many different types of plants, flowers, trees or herbs. Think of a cool olive tree, a maple tree, ornamental grasses, lavender, geraniums, basil, and so on. Need inspiration on planting planters? Read the blog article planter box filling professional way.

What about drainage with these planters?

Especially with a Corten steel planter, drainage is very important. Excess rainwater is disastrous for the material. Too much water can cause the corten steel to rust, especially in combination with oxygen and potting soil. For proper drainage, all of our Corten steel planters have drainage holes at the bottom. These holes ensure that water does not remain in the planter. In addition, we also recommend placing the planter on a flat surface.

3 tips for maintaining corten steel

Corten steel is very low maintenance. Nevertheless, we recommend to clean your corten steel planter with some regularity. But how? We give 3 tips to maintain Corten steel:

1. Remove green waste and debris immediately
   Chances are your Corten steel planter is outside. All year round. Fortunately, the planter can take a beating, but we recommend removing green waste and other debris immediately. This keeps the steel beautiful.
2. Green deposits? Do not use chemicals!
   Note: When cleaning Corten steel, simply use tap water and, if necessary, a soft brush. Never use chemical cleaners or high-pressure cleaners. They will damage the steel.
3. Ensure good drainage
   As we said, excess water is disastrous for Corten steel. It can cause the steel to rust through. You should therefore ensure good drainage, for example by following our tips. In addition, all our planters naturally contain sufficient drainage holes.

Rusty planter with or without a bottom?

These rusty planters are delivered modular as a kit. A corten steel planter is constructed from individual panels and corner pieces. In addition, you can choose planters without a bottom or with a bottom. The different parts can be connected completely blind. This way there are no fasteners in sight. Thanks to our modular system, you can also choose very large sizes. And by using corner pieces, unique shapes are possible that are not available anywhere else as standard.

Order a Corten steel planter?

Would you like to order a Corten steel planter through MySteel? That is easy and fast. Questions or need advice? Please feel free to contact us.

Tip: Complete your garden with our other steel products such as corten steel edging, corten steel retaining walls, mailboxes, fire bowls and much more. Check out our diverse range at your leisure!