Yes, they’re cement. Yes, they’re mushrooms. And yes, they came out cuter than I expected. This whole thing started with me standing in the garden, holding a cup of coffee and thinking, “This space needs something… weird. Something fun.” I didn’t want another planter or a solar light shaped like a pillow. I wanted mushrooms. Bright, cartoonish, fairy-tale mushrooms.
I saw some online that were cute but way too pricey. So I figured, hey—I’ve got sand, I’ve got sticks, I’ve got random old kitchenware. And I had just enough cement left from a past project to make it dangerous. So I started experimenting. Spoiler alert: it worked. Here’s exactly how I did it.
I started with a scavenger hunt around the house. The goal? Find containers shaped like mushroom caps. Round bowls, measuring cups, a yogurt tub… and then I saw it: my grandma’s old crystal wine glass. Tall, narrow, kind of ridiculous. I knew I had to try it.
Here’s what I ended up using:
- 1 part cement
- 2 parts sand
- Water (add gradually)
- Old glassware or plastic containers for molds
- Vegetable oil
- Plastic bags (optional)
- Twisty sticks for stems
- Rubber mallet (for safe demolding)
- Red and white acrylic paint
- Cotton swabs
- Outdoor sealer or stone lacquer
- Paintbrushes
- Bucket or tub of damp sand (for batch version)
How I Made These Mushrooms
I had two wine glasses, which gave me two options: Pour cement directly in the glass (risky, smooth finish). Line the glass with a plastic bag (safe, adds texture). I tried both. For both methods, coat the inside generously with vegetable oil. I mean generously. Like, “this is not a diet” level oil. This stops the cement from sticking later.
The mix is simple: 1 part cement to 2 parts sand. Add water slowly while stirring. You're going for the texture of thick Greek yogurt. It shouldn’t be runny but not crumbly either. If it looks too dry, add more water. If it's too wet, toss in more sand. Don’t overthink it.
Fill your molds with the cement mix. Tap the sides or give them a shake so air bubbles rise to the top.
Now grab your branch or stick and push it straight into the center of each mold. Gently shake again to even out the surface. Tip: If your stick keeps leaning like a sad tree, your mix is too wet—or your stick is too wonky. Use scrap wood or even another glass to prop it up.
Let it sit undisturbed for 24 hours. The one in the plastic bag slid out no problem. The one I poured directly into the wine glass? Needed a little help. I tapped around it with a rubber mallet and twisted carefully until it popped out. Took patience, but that smooth finish was worth it.
After two mushrooms, I realized I wanted, like, a whole enchanted forest. Instead of pouring into individual glasses, I filled a big plastic container with damp sand. Really damp. Like wet beach sand.
Then I used my dried mushroom heads to press mushroom-shaped holes into the sand. Poured the cement mix in, inserted sticks, tapped gently, and walked away.
The next day I pulled them out. They came out slightly smaller but still super cute.
I gave each mushroom a rinse and wiped off any remaining sand. Then I let them sit another full day to dry completely. If you paint too early, the cement might bleed through or flake. Ask me how I know. (RIP to the first one I rushed.).
The first coat is cement primer.
Next, I painted the top red with two coats of acrylic paint.
The underside of the cap and the stick got a light coat of white.
For the dots, I dipped a cotton swab in white paint, dabbed off the extra on a piece of paper (super important), and stamped dots on like a pro. Or a mushroom fairy. Same thing.
When everything was dry, I sealed the mushrooms with an outdoor lacquer. I used one for stone, but anything weather-resistant will work. One good coat is enough, but two if you're feeling fancy.
Now the fun part—sticking them in the garden. If your soil is dry or rocky, poke a starter hole with a stick or screwdriver. I added some to pots, others to flower beds. You could even stick one next to a fern in a shady corner and boom—woodland vibes.
The result is amazing!.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this project surprised me. I expected it to be messy or frustrating or maybe not even work. But these mushrooms came out so charming, I want to make a new batch every season. Some tall, some short. Some with polka dots, some with stripes next time?
If you’ve got a couple sticks, some sand, and a bit of cement—you’re halfway there. The rest is just fun. Don’t forget to add some solar lights to them!