The Best Planter Boxes

Buying Guide for Planter Boxes

Why buy a planter box?

If you love to garden but hate to weed, a planter box may be exactly what you’re looking for. Large outdoor planter boxes can contain your entire garden without worrying about certain pests or invasive plants. Smaller planter boxes grow a wider variety of plants than simple plant pots on your patio or balcony because they tend to be deeper and have better drainage than pots. Raised beds are great for growing flowers, herbs, and smaller vegetables. A larger planter box can even grow small trees, even if you don’t have any yard space in your home.

What should you consider in a planter box?

• Dimensions: How does your garden grow? Are you creating an urban vegetable garden to grow your food? Then you might need a large planter box, deep and wide, to hold enough dirt and create enough space for your plants to thrive. Do you live in an apartment or condo and want to grow some fresh herbs on the balcony? A smaller box will suit your needs. You can grab something in between for a good-sized flower garden for your patio. If your space is minimal, be sure to measure before you buy.
• Raised vs. Grounded: If you love gardening but hate the aches and pains, a raised planter box may be an excellent solution for you. Raised planter boxes also make a good starting place for flowers or bushes that you may want to transplant later. While raised planter boxes are a fantastic option for some, they may not work for everyone.
• Materials: If you want your planter box to withstand weather conditions, be sure it’s made of treated or waxed wood, galvanized steel, or other weather-treated metals. Ceramic, concrete, and plastic plant pots are all options as well, though keep in mind that ceramic boxes should have drainage holes to prevent root rot and water damage, concrete models may require special drainage or insulation to prevent cracking due to freeze-thaw cycles, and plastic doesn’t offer the same aesthetic appeal as other materials. It may not be as durable in extreme weather conditions.

What are some design options for planter boxes?

As with standard plant pots, design options for planter boxes are nearly endless. With some planning and creativity, you can customize them to fit your style and create a beautiful and functional addition to your outdoor or indoor space. For example, a wooden planter box can provide a natural look that blends well with greenery and can be stained or painted to match the surrounding decor. Planter boxes come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from rectangular, square, circular, and irregular shapes. Others have built-in trellises or latticework at the back or sides to support climbing plants and create a privacy screen. Some even double as garden benches or have shelving attached for extra storage space.

Our Picks for the Best Planter Boxes

Pros: This extra-large outdoor planter box is straightforward to assemble, especially since it’s surprisingly lightweight. It’s 96 by 46 by 12 inches, so it should be large enough to grow plenty of flowers or vegetables. It’s made of thick, galvanized metal with an anti-rust coating that lasts throughout the seasons. It’s got an open bottom for tilled soil with plenty of room to add topsoil and fertilizer. After you add soil to the raised bed, the sides won’t bend or buckle.

Cons: The edges and corners must be handled carefully as they can be sharp. The plastic film coating on them to protect them is difficult to remove.

Bottom Line: This planter box is excellent for backyard gardens because of its width, depth, and massive capacity. You can easily plant a vegetable garden or a gorgeous spray of flowers in this extra-large planter. It’s the best option for larger gardens because of its fair price and ease of use.

 

Pros: This planter box is fairly easy to assemble, with a tongue and groove assembly that only requires a rubber mallet. It comes with a pre-fit liner, so you don’t have to spend extra money to line your planter, though you may choose to treat the wood with stain or wax. Plus, the bed is deep for your plants’ roots to thrive. You can fit up to 36 dry quarts of soil inside of it, and it will even work for planting gourds, carrots, or other hearty root vegetables.

Cons: The wood is not treated. You may need to reinforce the planter box, especially if you have many high winds.

Bottom Line: This raised planter box can grow beautiful flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Once correctly assembled, this planter box should be nice and sturdy. Plus, the bed comes in two different sizes to suit your needs.

 

Pros: For lovers of climbing vines, flowers, and berries, this set of planters is a fantastic find. The tight diamond lattice invites beans and other climbing plants to wind and ascend as they should. Naturally rot-resistant and long-lasting, the fir wood is coated with a rich walnut finish for added durability and extra style points. This set also has optional casters, which are great for a backyard patio or a balcony garden. They’re easy to assemble, even if you’re not a professional handyman. And while the two-pack of planters gives you good value for your money, you can buy them individually instead of you don’t have room for two.

Cons: Since these trellis planters are lightweight, they may tumble in high winds unless properly anchored and aren’t the most suitable option for larger, heavier plants. And while the locking caster wheels are helpful for mobility, they also add to the planters’ instability, especially in windy conditions. They also don’t come with their liners.

Bottom Line: These planters add a touch of class to any garden. Though the wood is lightweight, it can be easily anchored with rocks, and the wheels can be removed so they don’t tip over.

 

Pros: This planter box is perfect for wheelchair users who love gardening. With the casters, it glides smoothly from one place to another, even when filled to the brim with a heavy load of soil and plants. It also drains beautifully, allowing the roots of your plants to breathe. Plus, this cool planter box makes an excellent display for decorations on your porch, patio, or balcony.

Cons: Some assembly is required to put this planter together; during assembly, you may come in contact with a sharp edge. Make sure to have a pair of work gloves when putting this planter together.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a sturdy planter on casters, this may be a great selection for you. It takes very little time to put together so that you can plant your favorite garden delights the same day it arrives.

 

Pros: First, these planters are heavy, yet they are packaged in a way that makes them easy to remove from the box without damage. The wooden parts are pretreated with teak oil, keeping them both shiny and weather-resistant, though you could choose to add another coat of teak oil for extra protection. The dark natural wood blends seamlessly with most outdoor areas, and this particular design includes a removable bench for sitting. Furthermore, the planters are deep, so you can even plant tropical trees inside.

Cons: No liners are in the planter boxes, so you’ll have to measure carefully and buy your own.

Bottom Line: This planter box and outdoor seating duo is genius, especially if you’re trying to maximize the space on your patio. It comes with ample depth to accommodate your favorite plants or regular-sized planters.

Final Thoughts

There are a variety of planter boxes available to fit many functions and spaces. Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener and need space for flowers or larger plants, planter boxes are a great starting point for your green thumb journey. Enjoy your new garden with one of these options.