This is the Medusa Planter, a model we’ve been working on and trying to perfect for a long time. It’s easily one of the most detailed planters we’ve made, and I’m excited to finally release it!

The taller snake heads print separately and are labeled for easy assembly. We cut them so the layer lines continue in the same direction, helping the glued seams blend into the rest of the model. This also greatly reduces the supports, filament waste, and overall difficulty of printing the head.

The planter also includes a coiled snake water-catch tray that the head slots into. Each snake has cutouts for 6mm glass eyes, which are an inexpensive way to help bring the model to life. I’ve also included optional printable eyes in case you can’t find the glass eyes where you live or would rather print them.

The head is hollow through most of the model to help prevent the visible line that can sometimes appear when a print transitions from a dense section to a hollow section. There is an internal platform to support the plant or pot placed inside. At 100% scale, the planter is intended to hold a 4–5-inch plant pot.

I’ve included separate 3MF files for the Snapmaker U1 and Bambu Lab printers. I printed mine in three colors, but I think this model would also look great printed entirely in one color. A single-color print will significantly reduce the print time and filament usage on a single-nozzle printer, but the final color choice is entirely up to you!

Recommended Print Settings

2 walls

5% gyroid infill

Tree supports enabled

100% scale for a 4–5-inch plant pot

Glue required for the separate snake heads

Optional 6mm glass eyes or included printable eyes

Snapmaker U1 Print Time and Filament Usage

Planter head: Approximately 17.5 hours and 390g of filament

Water-catch tray and separate snake heads: Approximately 11 hours and 214g of filament

Total: Approximately 28.5 hours and 604g of filament

Bambu Lab A1 Three-Color Print

Planter head: Approximately 1 day, 7 hours and 532g of filament

Water-catch tray and separate snake heads: Approximately 11 hours and 200g of filament

Total: Approximately 42 hours and 732g of filament

Print times and filament usage may vary depending on your printer, slicer settings, supports, and color choices.

Filament and Eyes Used

Head: 3DHoJor Matte Beige PLA https://a.co/d/0abrRwKb

Snakes: Anycubic Christmas Green Silk PLA https://a.co/d/0fO0EvaG

Printable eye details: GIANTARM Silk Gold PLA https://a.co/d/0hxDUi9W

Glass eyes: 6mm Glass Eyes https://a.co/d/0eqvwAYD

New Favorite Glue https://a.co/d/09O8OLQQ

Happy Printing, Christian, @CraftyKid3D