Let a gentle bear watch over your garden with this charming wooden bear planter box. Shaped like a smiling bear's face or a sitting bear holding a flower bed, this planter turns a simple container into a woodland friend—bringing personality and whimsy to your porch, patio, or garden path.
Why You'll Love This Project
Playful garden art – A bear that's also a flower holder
Substantial planting space – Holds multiple plants or a small shrub
Sturdy outdoor piece – Built to last through seasons
Beginner-intermediate build – Simple box with creative face details
A child's garden friend – Perfect for a little gardener's own flower patch
Materials & Tools
Wood Suggestions (Weather-Resistant):
Cedar or redwood (naturally rot-resistant)
Pressure-treated pine (affordable, paint-ready)
Exterior plywood (for face cutouts)
White oak (strong, classic look)
Basic Supplies:
1×6 or 1×8 boards (planter sides)
¾" plywood (face details)
Wood glue and galvanized screws
Landscape fabric or plastic liner
Exterior paint or spar urethane
Sandpaper
Tools You Might Need:
Jigsaw or scroll saw (for bear face shapes)
Drill and driver
Sander
Clamps
Design Inspiration
Let your garden space guide the bear's pose and planter size.
Think about these elements:
| Feature | Inspiration |
|---|---|
| Bear pose | Sitting bear (face and paws) or just the face (wall-mounted) |
| Planting area | On the bear's head, in its lap, or a tray between paws |
| Expression | Friendly, sleepy, or smiling |
| Size | Small (tabletop) or large (floor-standing porch piece) |
Three ways to approach this:
Bear face planter – Just the head, flat against a wall, with flowers growing from the top
Sitting bear planter – Full body, flowers in the bear's lap (between paws)
Bear hug planter – Two bear paws wrapping around a separate flower box
Choose what fits your space and skill level.
Step-by-Step Inspiration
1. Picture Your Bear
Imagine it on your porch. Will it greet visitors at the front door? Sit among your flower beds? Hold herbs outside the kitchen window? Let the location guide the size.
2. Build the Planter Box
Start with a simple box—this is where flowers will grow.
Basic box dimensions:
Length: 12–24 inches
Width: 8–12 inches
Depth: 8–10 inches
The box should be deep enough for good root growth. Add drainage holes.
3. Shape the Bear
For a face planter:
Cut a large oval or circle from plywood (the face)
Attach two smaller circles on top (ears)
Mount the face to the front of the planter box
Flowers grow from behind the bear's head
For a sitting bear planter:
Cut two side panels shaped like a sitting bear
Connect them with the planter box between (box is the bear's lap)
The bear's paws rest on the front of the box
Keep the face simple—a kind expression matters more than perfect anatomy.
4. Add Bear Details
Face:
Two small eyes (gentle or sleepy)
A rounded snout (slightly lighter color)
A soft, smiling mouth
Two small ears on top
Paws (if visible):
Rounded shapes with small toe lines
Resting on the planter edge
Paint or wood-burn the details. Let the wood grain show through.
5. Create the Planting Area
Option A (top of head):
The planter box sits behind the bear's head
Flowers appear to grow from the bear's crown
Option B (lap):
The planter box is between the bear's body and paws
Flowers spill over the paws
Option C (arms):
Two paw-shaped boxes on either side
Bear hugs the flowers from both sides
Line the planting area with landscape fabric or plastic for longer wood life.
6. Add Drainage
Drill several holes in the planter bottom. Add a layer of gravel before soil. Elevate slightly so water can escape.
Wet soil against wood = rot. Protect your bear.
7. Seal Against Weather
Use exterior paint or spar urethane. Multiple thin coats. Pay special attention to:
The inside planter box (even with liner)
The bear's ears and snout (edges trap moisture)
The bottom (where water sits)
Paint colors:
Brown bear with darker paws
Black bear with lighter snout
Polar bear (white or cream)
Painted bear (your child's favorite colors)
8. Fill with Flowers
Planting ideas for your bear:
Trailing plants (spill over the paws like fur)
Bright annuals (petunias, marigolds, zinnias)
Herbs (bear's herb garden by the kitchen)
Succulents (low-maintenance, good for hot spots)
Change with the seasons—spring bulbs, summer blooms, autumn mums.
Creative Variations
| Variation | Idea |
|---|---|
| Mama and cub | Large bear + small bear (two planters) |
| Bear family | Three planters in different sizes |
| Honey pot bear | Bear holds a small barrel instead of flowers |
| Birdhouse bear | Flowers below, birdhouse on bear's head |
| Night bear | Paint with stars, moon on bear's belly |
Pro-Tips to Keep in Mind
Line the planter – Separate soil from wood for longer life
Drainage is essential – No drainage = rotten wood
Sturdy attachment – The bear face adds weight to the front
Non-toxic finishes – If a child might touch or taste
Winter care – Move to shelter in freezing climates
A Few Thoughts Before You Start
Bears in gardens feel like secrets. You turn a corner, and there one sits—holding flowers, watching quietly. Children talk to them. Adults smile at them. They ask nothing, just offer their lap for blooms.
This planter will age like any garden friend. Paint will fade, wood will weather. But the bear's gentle face? That stays. Watching over your flowers, season after season.
Share Your Creation
We'd love to see your bear holding flowers on a sunny porch.
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