Septa Window Box Terrazzo Rectangle Planter

Details at a Glance

Terrazzo composite resists UV fading and moisture better than painted concrete, and the polished finish holds up to sun exposure season after season. The Emissary Septa Window Box Terrazzo Rectangle Planter -- a handcrafted terrazzo rectangle planter available in 31-inch and 39.5-inch sizes -- is available at LOOMLAN Outdoor with free shipping. Each piece is individually crafted in Thailand, so the speckled marble-and-quartz pattern is unique to your planter.

Will Terrazzo Hold Up Through Sun and Rain?

It will. Terrazzo is a composite -- marble, quartz and glass chips set in cement, then polished -- and that structure makes it more forgiving of temperature shifts than solid concrete. The natural mineral pigments resist UV fading, so gray stays gray and white stays white through a full summer of direct sun. The cement binder handles moisture without cracking or peeling the way coated finishes do. Store the planter indoors during prolonged freezing weather to prevent frost damage, but for three-season outdoor use on a patio or front porch, terrazzo is one of the most durable materials you can choose in outdoor planters.

How Should You Care for Terrazzo When It Isn't Planted?

Wipe it down with a damp cloth when you see soil buildup or leaf stains -- that's all the regular maintenance it needs. Skip harsh cleaners; terrazzo's polished surface does not need chemical treatment, and acids can etch the cement binder. Before the first hard freeze, empty the planter and move it indoors or into a garage. While terrazzo handles temperature changes better than ceramic, standing water that freezes inside can still crack any cement-based material. Bring it back out in spring, and the finish will look the same year after year.

Where Does a Rectangle Planter This Size Work Best?

Use the 31-inch size to flank an entryway or frame a porch railing; it fits compact spaces without overwhelming them. The 39.5-inch size anchors a patio corner or backs a seating area with enough root depth for small ornamental trees, boxwood, or layered annuals. Both heights -- 26 inches and 31.5 inches -- are tall enough that you don't have to crouch to see the plantings. Pair two matching Septa planters on either side of a doorway for symmetry, or mix the gray and white finishes across a patio design to tie together stone pavers and metal furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this planter stay outside all year?

It can stay out through spring, summer and fall, but you should store it indoors during freezing weather to prevent frost damage to the cement composite.

Will the terrazzo finish fade in direct sun?

No -- the marble and quartz chips are natural minerals with inherent color, so they resist UV fading better than painted or powder-coated finishes.

How do I store this planter over winter?

Empty it completely, wipe it down, and move it into a garage, shed, or covered porch where standing water won't freeze inside the basin.

Is terrazzo suitable for a coastal or salt-air location?

Yes -- terrazzo's cement-and-mineral composite does not rust and handles salt spray better than metal planters, though you should rinse it occasionally to prevent salt buildup on the polished surface.

Does this planter have drainage holes?

Drainage details are not specified; if there are no holes, add a two-inch gravel layer at the base or nest a nursery pot inside to prevent root rot.

How is this planter shipped, and does assembly come with it?

Free curbside delivery to the continental USA is included. The planter arrives fully formed (no assembly), but at 89 or 148 pounds, plan for two people to move it into place.