Residential Outdoor Planters Buying Guide
Whether you're seeking to create a warm, inviting outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining, looking to explore container gardening, or revamp your home's exterior décor, outdoor planters are a great addition to any yard, patio, pool, roof deck, terrace, or balcony. Garden planters are also ideal for:
- Boosting your home's curb appeal
- Adding height to your landscape design
- Growing flowers, plants, small trees, herbs, and edible/vegetable gardens
- Creating borders and dividing spaces
- Adding privacy
Depending on the size, design, and other needs of your space, one design may work better than another. In this simple step-by-step guide, we will help you find the best planter material, size, style, and the necessary accessories to fit your space in both design and functionality.
Step 1: Choosing Your Planter Material
Fiberglass
- Lightweight
- Considerably more durable than other planter materials
- Rot- and insect-proof; won't crack, chip, or warp
- Weather-proof in any climate, including heat and freezing conditions
- Available in a range of styles, from traditional to modern
- Available in several colors and finishes, including high gloss and real metal
- Most styles include drainage holes
- Watertight options available
- Easily customizable
Cellular PVC Composite
- Looks and feels like wood, but more durable
- Rot- and insect-proof; won't crack, chip, or warp
- Inherently white (no painting necessary), with 25+ finish and texture options
- Matches Cape Cod-style homes and transitional décor
- Maintenance-free
Metal
- Copper includes solid copper planters and fiberglass planters with ArmoreCoat real copper coating; both will patina over time to a beautiful greyish blue, and will naturally deter insects
- Wrought iron is powder coated, rust resistant and includes your choice of a metal or PVC liner
- Aluminum is powder coated inherently rust-proof and includes your choice of a metal or PVC liner
Vinyl
- Lightweight
- Double-walled construction (good for insulating plants from high heat and freezing temperatures)
- Most styles have built-in reservoirs, making them self-watering/watertight
- Fade-resistant construction
- Maintenance-free
Resin
- Lightweight
- Mimics the look of clay pottery, but durable and shatter-resistant
- UV-protected and fade-resistant
- Most styles include drainage holes to promote healthy soil
- Available in a variety of unique shapes, styles, and colors
Wood
- Cedar and redwood garden pots and planters offer charmingly rustic, natural beauty
- Available with stains and finishes that protect the wood and deter pests
- Require maintenance over time to prevent water and weather damage
- Many feature protective liners
- Cedar planters are naturally resistant to rot, insects, and fading
- Redwood planters are naturally weather-resistant
Step 2: Choosing Your Planter Shape
Square and Rectangular Planters
- Can be used as space dividers
- Great for lining walkways, patios, decks, rooftop decks, pools, and balconies
- A space-saving way to add greenery to small spaces
- Can be customized to fit any size
Round planters and low bowls
- Can be used as space dividers
- Great for lining walkways, patios, decks, rooftop decks, pools, and balconies
- Low bowls can be placed on pedestals, pillars, and columns without blocking sightlines
- Some manufacturing limitations
Step 3: Choosing Your Planter Size
Small Planters
- Perfect for flowers and plants with shallow root systems
- Hold less water and soil dries out faster
- Great as small design accents; won't overwhelm the space
Large Planters
- Great for trees and other plants with deep root systems and continued growth
- Ideal for mixed plantings
- Holds more soil and water than smaller planters; soil stays moist longer
- Ideal for larger spaces, creating barriers, and for making a visual impact
Step 4: Choosing your Custom Options and Accessories
Many of our plant containers can be customized in size, shape, color and finish. Other options include custom drainage placement, self-watering systems, watertight options, locking and non-locking casters (for easy portability), and elevating feet.
Not only do our outdoor planters add to your décor, but they also help you grow a healthy, gorgeous container garden in any space. For instance:
- Make any container self-watering using our convenient planter reservoir inserts
- Enrich your soil with nutrient-rich soil amendments
- Grow a vertical garden by adding decorative trellises to your planters
