What kind of paint for a cedar flower box?

bigelow965

I've made a nice 48 x 10 x 8 deep flower box out of cedar and I need to know what kind of paint to use to help preserve the wood but also wouldn't interfere with the plants or leech anything into the soil. Or since it's made of cedar would it be ok just to leave it unpainted (and a little less protected from the outside elements)?   Any ideas?

Blue Onion

Could you just oil and wax the wood yearly, then line it with plastic to keep the soil off the wood along the sides?  

LeifUK

I'm trying Danish oil on the roof of an insect box. Wax on top as above might be a good idea as it will cope with expansion and contraction. 

Dovefromabove

Cedar contains its own natural oils that help repel moisture and prevent insect damage; there should be no need to paint it, and left to weather untreated it will develop a beautiful silvery sheen.

If you do not want the silvery look of weathered cedar, then you should treat it each year with Tung Oil http://www.liberon.co.uk/oil-finishes/pure-tung-oil,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xOTMmfA%3D%3D

Boater

Red Cedar or Yellow Cedar? The latter will probably need protecting, but the former is perfect for using untreated as described by Dove.