Planter Buying Guide
By Beth Osborne
Planters are a great way to add color and texture to your outdoor living spaces. With so many different planters to choose from, there is a world of possibilities. You can mix and match styles and colors that enhance your spaces and architecture.
Planters can be moved easily for those plants that need either more or less sun. Being mobile means you can change up the look of your planters easily.
When landscaping, think about how planters can add to the other elements in your backyard, patio, deck or pool area. Once you’ve decided on the type of plants you want to fill your containers, it’s time to make our choices. In this guide, we’ll go over five main considerations when choosing your planters:
Material
Size
Where it will go
Groupings
Drainage
The number of choices can be overwhelming so before you make the purchase, narrow it down with these tips.
Material
The material you choose may have much to do with your climate or environment. Some materials are more robust than others. If you don’t have an initial preference, look for something that’s both aesthetically pleasing and practical for your space.
Wood
Wood planters are both beautiful and durable with a variety of different designs. They can be painted or stained to match your outdoor décor. A teak or cedar planter box is highly weather resistant, too.
Metal
Metal gives a garden or outdoor area a touch of rustic charm or contemporary flair, depending on the finish. Most metal planters are bronze, copper, cast iron or steel. The metal will certainly stand up to the weather; the downside is its high thermal transference.
Ceramics
Ceramic pieces are normally the brightest containers. They are known for details like geometric illusions or grooves. These planters won’t withstand the worst of storms but will work well in any climate. A great example of both bold color and texture is this artichoke planter in turquoise.
Size
The size you need is defined by what you want to grow and how much space you have. Ideally, if you have the room, larger sizes are better, especially in the hottest months. Smaller planters have a tendency to dry up on those long days of extreme heat. The larger container will retain water easier and keep roots healthy. If you are choosing to put several different plants, think over how they will be able to expand and grow in the planter.
If you want to plant vegetables in a planter, you’ll need one that is at least 2’ in diameter. For smaller plants like herbs, try a planter that’s about 1’ in diameter. This petal-carved pot measures 14” in diameter, which is a great size for a grouping of smaller flowers like pansies.
The other part of size is how much room you have in your outside space. If you are tight on space, layer multiple smaller planters for an organized look.
Groupings
A grouping is a way to display different sized planters. You can choose to use the same finish in different sizes or make up your own assortment. The same finish would look best in a contemporary setting like a set in metal or neutral tones like this set of metal planters with copper bands. If you choose an assortment, this is a much more laid-back, bohemian vibe. Just with every area of design, there’s always a new way to interpret it.
When grouping, the width isn’t the only thing that can vary. Choose pots of different heights to create a nice backdrop. You’ll often see groupings lining backyard spaces setting a border between areas. They are also popular on stairs leading to a front door. Weave them into your outdoor living spaces, including under pergolas.
There are so many opportunities for group planters and because they are mobile, you change it up as you like. Refresh your backyard as you please.
Where Will It Go
Planters can be used in many different spaces and where they go often determines what you’ll need. Each application is unique so consider this when making choices. One spot that planters are popular is in container gardening, so these planters need to be able to hold soil and water. They’ll need plenty of room for root growth, too. If this is how you’ll use your planters, choose something hardy like metal or wood in a large size, 2’ feet or bigger in diameter.
Another area that might be enhanced with planters is around a pool. Depending on how much space is available, they may sit fairly near the edge of the pool. In this case, you’d want to avoid a material like ceramic because it could break; whereas metal will get too hot in direct sun. Wood would be the better choice here.
For outdoor living spaces, get inspired by color and details. Bright colors are a nice touch, best found in ceramics, or try something with unique accents. These porter pots of clay have rope threads woven into the rim. These pots are large enough to be set at all four corners of your space.
Drainage
The last but equally important consideration is drainage. You’ll want to ensure that based on what was planted, you aren’t under- or over-watering. Some planters can hold water longer than others. Unfortunately, not every planter has drainage holes. So, while something may look beautiful, it must also be practical. Stay practical with this cement planter. It’s simple yet interesting and offers drainage.
Those without drainage can be used but the plant won’t be able to go directly into it. You’ll need a smaller container with a drainage hole. Elevate the plant so it sits above excess water because you don’t want your plants to die from overwatering, which is a bigger problem than you may think. It’s a bit more complex than just planting directly into the planter, but some gardeners prefer this practice.
Be sure to check drainage and ensure that those areas don’t become clogged either. You want a natural flow of water in and out of the vessel so that plants get the right amount of water. The larger the container, the larger the drain, or there may be multiple ones. If so, keep them all clear.
Planters are the most versatile parts of your outside oasis. Have fun with different materials, shapes, and colors. Whether ultra-modern or romantic, planter’s offer a way to set the scene.
