Built by hand, carved damp, and painted one companion at a time.
Ru's Jungle Story began with two hands, damp concrete mix, and a love for quiet studio afternoons overlooking the hills and harbor of Wellington, New Zealand.
Why Planters Belong in Inseparable Pairs
In nature, plants rarely grow in isolation. A tall fern provides shade for crawling mosses; a climbing vine seeks the shelter of sturdy bark.
Every set we produce is designed as a balanced dual landscape: a shallow, low bowl built for trailing string of pearls, pebble succulents, or rooting water cuttings, paired alongside a tall, grounding cylinder that elevates broad leaves into window light.
When displayed together on a windowsill or wooden table, they create an immediate architectural rhythm—a quiet pocket of jungle inside your home.
“Concrete pressed into shape, carved while the surface is still damp, and finished with breathable mineral pigments.”
What We Stand For
Slowness Over Volume
We do not cast molds or mass manufacture. Every pair cures slowly over weeks so the dense stoneware structure settles with natural integrity.
Zero-Plastic Packaging
Packed in biodegradable wood wool, raw cardboard, and unbleached paper tape. No bubble wrap enters or leaves our Wellington studio.
Pet & Plant Sanctuary Safety
All sealants and mineral pigments are non-toxic and zero-VOC. Gentle on curious pet noses and healthy for sensitive root systems.
Aging Gracefully
Like heirloom stoneware, our pieces develop an organic patina over years of gentle watering, deepening the story etched into the clay.
How a Piece Comes to Life
From raw mineral composite to finished archival stoneware planter, every step requires patience and steady hands.
Hand-Pressing the Form
Dense architectural concrete composite is shaped entirely by hand. The low companion bowl and tall cylinder are formed in tandem to mirror each other’s proportions.
Sgraffito Carving
While the clay-concrete surface remains damp, fine botanical lines, animal fur textures, and story motifs are incised directly into the body with precision loop tools.
Freehand Mineral Pigment
Natural earth ochres, forest greens, and deep charcoal washes are brushed layer upon layer. Every animal portrait is painted freehand without stencils.
Matte Archival Sealing
A dual-coat breathable matte sealer protects against water droplets while preserving the natural tactile feel of raw stone.
Caring for your hand-painted planter
Handcrafted stoneware is living, tactile craft. Here is how to keep your planter pair and indoor plants thriving together.
Indoor Windowsills & Shelves
Our planters are sealed with breathable matte sealer ideal for interior living spaces. Protect from harsh outdoor frost.
Watering & Soil Drainage
Use a nursery pot inside or add a base layer of coarse volcanic pebbles. Wipe excess moisture from the rim after watering.
Gentle Damp Cloth
Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid dishwashers or abrasive scouring pads to preserve delicate mineral pigments.
Aging Gracefully
Like traditional ceramic wares, your planter will slowly develop an organic, subtle patina over the years, enhancing its tactile story.
Have a pet you'd love to memorialize in clay?
Ru accepts a limited number of custom commissions each month.