It’s a wonderful time of year, for those ruled by seasons, when the warmer weather arrives. Flowers begin to bloom in the backyard and we have a great urge to get outside and enjoy all that the world has to offer.
This is a time of new growth and we have a deep itch to re-plan our raised or elevated garden beds. We search around for new ideas to the landscape of our backyard as we brush away winter’s chill. Not everybody has a backyard or even has good light or growing soil in their garden area. Fear not, you can still enjoy the bright colors of nature all around you.
One way to get around such problems is to add large planters everywhere. The best large planters are very versatile. They are mobile while empty, so can be re-positioned wherever the mood takes you. Plus, you can change the display of plants nestled within their protective walls every year.
If you don’t have a backyard, planters are the perfect solution to bringing nature onto the patio deck or into your home. Add color to your balcony and watch the butterflies and bees buzz around your floral displays. There’s a never-ending range of designs and colors, all it takes is imagination.
Planters come in all shapes, sizes, and colors so let’s narrow it down and consider the materials they’re made from first before looking at options and fillers.
Planter Box Materials
Wood Large Planters
From a traditional wooden barrel to a wheelbarrow shaped pot, wooden planters can be great at blending into the natural flow of nature. By using different types of wood you will gain a range of varying shades. Or, you can even paint or varnish them, making sure to use a non-toxic product.
Wood is often pre-treated with weather resistant solutions, making them rot-proof. You can further varnish it to add another protective sealant. These types of planters are frequently designed to be raised off the floor, with legs. Or, they can stand on the floor and look equally as effective. If you’re worried about natural organic decay, place a sealant membrane on the inside to slow it down. A well maintained wooden planter can last up to 20 years.
Wood helps the soil by retaining the moisture inside, although you need to be careful that it’s not too wet in there. If you’re considering growing vegetables and herbs, make sure to use wood that isn’t treated with any harmful chemicals. The toxics may leech into the soil and poison the roots. Old wooden containers may not be suitable for edible plants, due to the possible chemicals used to treat them, and should be used to plant flowers instead.
One of the best large planters boxes is this well designed tiered wooden planter from Yaheetech.
Yaheetech 3 Tier Wooden Elevated Raised Garden Bed Planter Box
- Selected Materials: Made of natural fir wood without painting, this...
- Three Tiers Design: This elevated planter provides three growing areas...
- Large Capacity Makes Healthy Growing: The divider boasts ample space...
- Useful& Practical: With this helpful planter, you can cultivate plants...
- Easy-To-Use: This vegetable garden is quick and easy usage. Plugs...
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- Solid fir wood
- No chemical additives used so you can plant edibles
- Use outside all year round
- Size L 49″ x W 49″ x D 21.9″
- Different depths in the pots, range between 8-22-inches
- Weight when empty around 39 pounds
- Color: Natural
The tiered layers allow you to grow a large array of various plants on the raised beds. It’s around 4×4-feet in size, so not too large for a patio or deck, or simply sat anywhere in the backyard.
There’s no floor to the bottom so if you want to place it on concrete or paving slabs you might need to stand it on a tarpaulin or plastic sheet. This can stop the soil from leaking out. Altogether it takes around 19-cubic feet of soil to fill all the tiers.
While it does need assembly, there are clear instructions for use. Most users are reporting that it is not difficult to construct. The pre-fittings and wood are all good quality. It’s very good value for the cost and in effect, you’re getting three good sized pots for the price of one.
Heavy Stoneware Planter Boxes
This can include ceramics, cast stone resin, or concrete materials, all much heavier than wood. They can look equally as attractive, especially the terracotta style pots. Although they can be weighty, they are suitably reinforced making them robust and difficult to break, as well as built to last. Not usually a cheap material plus the weight makes shipping costs expensive. Be careful if using a concrete planter as it has a high alkalinity level that can make it problematic for acid-loving plants.
Solid Rock Stoneworks Round Classic Planter
- Made In The USA! Made From 100% Cast Stone... Absolutley No Resin or...
- Great Size: 14"Tall x 14"dia and 35 pounds!
- Beautiful Detail and Desert Sand Color
- Neutral stain color makes it perfect for any landscaping or home.
- Perfect For Home, Garden, Patio, and Much More!
Last update on 2024-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Only available in the USA
- Made from cast stone which is a concrete material that is made to look like natural-cut stone
- Size: 14-inches tall. Diameters: Base is 8-inches. Bowl is 5-inches
- Weight: 32-pounds
- Shipping weight 38-pounds
- Color: Desert Sand
You can see by the measurements this example is not overly large, and it is heavy because of the weight of the material used. There is a drain hole so you can put the soil and plant directly into the stone bowl.
These pots have proved popular with users who report they can stand outside all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. The design lends this pot a regency aura, so it looks quite classy. Homeowners looking for a strong, durable planter for their deck or patio should consider it.
Terracotta Large Planters
This is a clay-based material that it fired in a kiln, once it has its shape. It’s a little more durable while it is still a soft clay, so can be made into tiny pots as well as large ones. That way you can have many matching styles. Once finished it is a heavy material but it’s also quite fragile and prone to breaking should it fall over.
Terracotta material is quite porous and draws the moisture from the soil. This means you need to water the plants frequently to stop it from drying up. One way to overcome this is to line the inside of the pot with a plastic membrane. Pop air-holes into it, or alternatively have the material glazed. Great though for plants that like well-drained soil.
- Made from lightweight resin lined with fiberglass sheets for added...
- Measures 17"x17"x16"
- Holds up to 80 quarts of soil
- Weighs 20 lbs.
- Martha's tip - use a piece of screen to cover the extra-large drainage...
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On the good side, clay walls are quite thick and thus protect the roots from any quick changing temperatures.
Terracotta doesn’t cope well with the cold, so you’re best to put the plant pots indoors in the winter months. Most pots are not glazed, though some may even be painted brightly.
Plastics, Resins and Fiberglass Planters
With today’s eco-friendly environment pressures, it can be difficult to choose non-recyclable plastic pots, so it does pay to shop around. Plus, it will most likely mean that plastic containers become more expensive. The cheap non-recyclable are not built to last anyway.
It’s better to choose resin-based plastic but here’s some instructions to look out for on the labels:
- Good Recyclable plastic planters are usually HDPE, LDPE, PP
- Bad Non-recyclable plastic planters are usually PVC, PS, polycarbonate.
Plastic has many advantages, so long as it is recyclable. That’s why you should choose a plastic combined with a Resin, such as Fiberglass. Resin begins as a liquid that turns solid. Don’t be fooled though, if your container states it is resin, still read the label for the good types of plastic it’s been combined with. Usually, resin is HDPE or LDPE and is a great material for planters:
- It doesn’t rot as the material is not porous.
- It doesn’t rust.
- It’s a cheap material.
- Lighter for transportation.
- Come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
- Can take on the look of stone, or even like a wicker basket design.
If you decide that it is the cheap non-recyclable plastic containers you want, remember that there are a few disadvantages:
- NON-recyclable so bad, bad, bad for the world.
- Short shelf life.
- Can be high in Toxicity – such as containing petroleum.
- Fade in the sun.
- Cracks in the cold.
It’s not that you can’t use plastic planters, but please be sensible and chose one of the better types, such as this one:
Crescent Garden Brunello Planter, Caviar Black, 12-Inch
- MULTI-USE POT: Our timeless plant pots are ideal for your indoor...
- WEATHER RESISTANT: Covered by our 10-year limited warranty, our...
- ECO-FRIENDLY: Crescent Garden planters are made from 100% recyclable...
- BETTER DRAINAGE: This planter includes a pre-drilled drainage hole...
- FOOD SAFE: These beautiful plastic planters are food safe making them...
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- Available in 5 different colors with varying stone effects
- Made from Resin and PET: polyethylene
- Doesn’t contain the harmful BPA
- All Weather resist and crack proof
- Contains drainage holes
- Lightweight at 1.15-pounds
- Size 11.25 x 11.25 x 9.25-inches
- 10-year warranty
These large planter boxes do come in even bigger sizes up to 32-inches, but you may have to go directly to the Crescent Garden website to order the bigger pots. The prices are good considering the size of the planters that can hold a small tree or a shrub. If you don’t like the color or stone-look, you can always repaint them with spray paint on the outside.
Metal Planters Boxes
This material is strong and durable but unfortunately also prone to overheating. This can stress and kill roots sitting in soil that has direct contact with the metal. Metal planters have great rustic appeal and it is possible to get around the negative effects of this material:
- Choose a lighter color of metal, or paint it white so it reflects the sun’s heat.
- Line the metal planter with a plastic pot so there is a gap between the plastic wall and the metal wall. This will help circulate air and keep the heat from damaging the roots.
- Add gravel or woodchips at the bottom of the metal planter for the plastic liner to sit on. This will allow for further aeration and drainage.
- Make sure the lining pot has drainage holes to help with moisture levels.
- Place the metal planters in the shade or sit them on bricks for better air circulation.
To stop rust setting into the planter, treat the metal with an enamel rust-resistant spray. Make sure the metal is clean and clear of rust before you do this, otherwise you’ll be sealing in the rust. You could even paint the outside with a primer paint, making sure you seal all seams and the bottom too. Before putting on the second and final coat, sand down any lumps or bumps down so you have a smooth finish.
You don’t have to limit yourself to new metal containers. Treated correctly you can use old tin paint cans or even an old galvanized tin bath.
Achla Designs Large Galvanized Steel Metal tub
- Measures 21-in L (24-inat handles) x 15-in W x 10 1/4-in H
- Made of Galvanized Steel
- Water sealed seams
- Fill with ice for chilling beverages, hold firewood, grow vegetables,...
- Use with Achla Designs Oval Stand (FB-0) for flowerpots and tubs, or...
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- Handmade
- Size; 26.25 x 16.75 x 11.2- inches
- Weight 5 lbs
- Galvanized steel with zinc coating to protect from rust
- Three different sizes, two different shapes, and three different finishes
- Water sealed
- No drainage holes so you may have to do this yourself
- Manufacturer’s Warranty 90-days
The material is steel. Don’t over-worry about the zinc sealant to protect it from rust, many drain pipes are made from galvanized steel too. The amount of zinc used is not of a dangerous level, but you will still need to consider the overheating effects. Place a plastic sheet membrane inside but don’t forget to punch in some drain holes in the sheet and in the tub. Place gravel or wood-chips on the bottom, as you would with the smaller metal planters.
Pick the Best Large Planters Boxes
Which Planters are the best to buy for your garden area, depends on your environment?
Balcony: Use one of the tiered planters to add a colorful garden area outside your window.
Patio: With this tall wooden planter, you can create a wall of color.
Large Garden: With a large garden area, you have the space to create expansive attractive features.
Smaller Backyard: Large wooden boxes are ideal for creating raised beds
The Fillers
We have considered the various materials of planters and the variety of styles available, such as sizes, shapes, and colors. Now let’s look at what to fill them with. The beauty of potting your blooms in planters is that you can design an entire garden bed and move it around. Or, simply have one or two attractive blooms to brighten up a dull corner.
Bulbs
Bulb plants often do well in planters, such as the calla lily. These lilies need a deep 12-inch pot that has good drainage, though the white blooms prefer moist soil. Plant the bulbs in spring, once the frost has gone, and they will bloom in the warm summer months. Take indoors once the frost arrives again in the colder months. These are perennials so can go back out once the warmer weather arrives back again.
Vertical: Thick bladed grasses
If you think that grass is boring, then think again. Phormium Grasses come in reds, browns, greens, yellows, or even a combination of these colors. Not only can they exhibit thick shining leafy blades, but they can also be on display all year round.
Build up a mulch wall around the base of the cluster of blades, and keep the roots warm in colder months. Such grasses are very hardy, and ideal if you live in a windswept coastal area. They can flourish in the shade to fill in those dark corners. Mostly they are pest free but when in pots they can become invaded by mealy bugs at the base. If you’re lucky enough to have blue tits visiting your garden, they’ll soon make short work of those pesky bugs.
Spreaders
Flowers that bloom the same color and fan out in a vibrant display can look stunning. Marigolds burst with summer delight with their bright orange blooms. By using the same color blooms in one pot, you can design the landscape by shades of your favorite colors.
Danglers
Troughs on window sills can look and smell incredible when filled with dangling blooms. Trailing or Creeping Rosemary can be trained to hang down and spill over the edges of large pots. Not only does it have delicate pale-purple flowers but the leaves are edible. The fragrance of rosemary leaves has a pungent and pleasant aroma of pine. It’s a hardy evergreen perennial and grows well in containers.
Conclusion: Why plant with pots or containers?
The obvious answer is that they are ideal if you have no garden area. With planters, you can enjoy colorful blooms anywhere. Or, grow herbs and vegetables on your balcony, patio or windowsill. If you are lucky enough to have a garden area, pots are still a great way to create a colorful landscape.
Brighten up those awkward shady corners where nothing will grow. By placing colorful pots of blooms under trees, you will cover the bare ground where the roots have taken all the moisture. Other than grass, there is very little that will grow under a tree. You can always move the pots into the sun for a few bright rays at some point in the day.
If you have a designed a tiered landscape, planters can help to fill in the gaps where you might have gravel. They’re also ideal for small places where the soil isn’t very deep.
You might have the type of soil that will not grow your favorite plants. No problem, just use a container to grow it. That’s only one advantage of planters. You get to control the soil texture and the positioning with regards to the sun and shade. That means you can pretty much grow anything.
Planters are also ideal to segregate herbs, containing those fast-growing and wide spreading plants, such as mint. With planters, you can grow your own vegetables out of season and all year round.
Another advantage of planters is that they need very little weeding. That’s not to say you won’t get any weeds at all, because the seeds float in the air and might settle in there. What you won’t get is a widespread of weeds because they can’t deep root themselves. Plus you’ll spot them much quicker in a small pot.
Your garden area, no matter how large or small, reflects your personality. Whether you like to plant by colors, fragrance or for your own veggies, the best large planters can brighten up the spaces and brighten up your mood.
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