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5 Ways to Use Cinder Blocks in the Garden: Planters, Steps, Fire Pits & More

Cinder block garden

Concrete blocks: inexpensive, durable, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly versatile. They pair well with wood and suit any DIY level. Five functional garden applications:

Planters • Steps • Fire Pit • Furniture • Privacy Wall

Planters
J Peterson Garden Design's scaled-down succulent planter (easier than viral large version). Our DIY vertical cinder block planter covers the mini approach. Zack Benson Photography offers another succulent take.

Cinder block succulent planter Another succulent planter

Steps
Step by Step's concrete block stairs won't rot—plant with steppable ground cover. Complete tutorial with abundant photos. Sustainable Urban Living shows hillside-integrated steps.

Concrete block stairs Hillside block steps

Fire Pit
Fire is a primal garden element. Must Add Fabric Softener's simple block pit addresses safety concerns (they agree blocks are safe). The Dirty Loft's version also tackles the "exploding block" myth—Lowe's lists them as fire-resistant.

Cinder block fire pit Another fire pit

Furniture
Decoist's bench with planter variations (front porch makeover, full tutorial). Pinterest finds: basic bench, stacked-block bench (use landscape adhesive), and a stylish potting bench—far better than college bookshelves.

Cinder block bench Stacked block bench Potting bench

Privacy Wall
The Info Mine's Southwest-style planter wall (Deck Restore for color/seal), unpainted version, and Houzz's upscale Eichler home proving cinder block fits high-end design.

Planter privacy wall Unpainted block wall Eichler home block wall