Container Gardening – How Do You Pick Your Planters?

By Simona Ganea

Simona Ganea Interior Design & Content Contributor

Simona is an interior design and décor writer for Homedit. Since 2011, she has been writing about interior design, DIY solutions, and the latest trends in home architecture.

Learn more about Homedit's Editorial Process

| Published on Jul 5, 2016

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Minimal look for planters - A defining characteristic of contemporary planters is their minimalist look

Shrubs and bushes for terrace - Shrubs and bushes can be used to add privacy to a deck or to delimit a garden

Modern planters for a contemporay house - Oversized planters look nice in combination with spider plants or small trees

Match planters with furniture - Match the planters to the furniture or other design elements that define your garden or terrace

Combination of colors for planters - Find a combination of colors that you like and use it to make a deck stand out

Contemporary porcelan planters - A lot of modern and contemporary terraces feature oversized porcelain planters

Terracotta planters are very versatile - Terracotta planters are very versatile and match well with lots of different decors and settings

Lining large terracota pots - You can avoid dealing with stains by lining the interior of the planter

Terracotta planters for planters - Terracotta planters are usually heavy at the base and this helps them withstand winds

Real stone planters for garden - Planters made of real stone age beautifully and change in color over time

Concrete planters are cooling - A great thing about stone or concrete planters is that they stay cool during summer

Concrete planters for garden - It’s easy to make your version of a stone planter by using concrete and a mold

Small apartment terrace with wooden garden planters - Mix and match various types of planters and materials for an eclectic look

Rooftop planters from wood - Use wooden planters to make a balcony look more inviting and comfortable

You can paint the wooden planters - There’s no need to paint the planter if it’s made from a rot-resistant wood

Wooden barrel types planter

Water resistant garden planters - Some types of wood and naturally resistant to rot. They include redwood and cedar

Garden with wooden planters - Untreated wooden planters can lose their visual appeal and even rot in time

Sealed the wooden containers - Usually these containers need to be sealed for protection from the elements

Customize a wooden planter - You can easily customize a wooden planter by either painting or staining it

Wood planters for gardening - Wood is a good material for large garden projects because of its versatility and cost

Balcony metal planters - A set of metal planters can also add a nice touch to a terrace or balcony

Raised garden planters - Raised garden beds can be designed using metal containers for long-lasting beauty

Custom made planters from metal - You can have the planters custom-made in specific shapes or design them as flower beds

Place metal containers in shed area - Place metal container in shaded areas and use for drought-tolerant plant types

Metalic garden planters - Metal planters heat rapidly and cause the soil to dry. This can damage the roots of the plants

Rusted steel planters - These rusted steel planters have a really nice and elegant look, their patina contrasting with the décor

Metalic planters you can use on roof - If you plan on reorganizing your metal planters from time to time, make sure they’re not very heavy

Metalic Container for Garden - Not all types of metals age gracefully. Some can rust over time but this doesn’t always makes them look bad

Metalic boxed planters - There’s something very beautiful and intriguing about the combination of metal and greenery

Black porcelain planters - Porcelain planters are appreciated for the variety of designs they come in

Large metal containers - Large metal containers can be used to create a terraced garden

Porcelain planters and diff textures - Porcelain planters can also feature interesting textures and forms

Wooden planters are available in many colors - Wooden planters are available in a variety of timbers and colors and are all unique

Reclaimed wood planters for garden - You can also use large wooden planters to grow vegetables. Just make sure they’re food-safe

NYC rooftop garden with wooden planters - Use wooden planters in combination with benches and other furniture made from the same material

Round metalix garden planters - Choose a type of metal with a color that complements the plants you want to put in the container

Small pots for balcony - Since terracotta pots are so popular, you can find them in a wide variety of shapes and sizes

Built in features for planters - In some cases, concrete planters are designed as a built-in feature for benches and patios

wooden garden planters for backyard - Wooden garden planters and flower beds help protect plants from heat and sun

Rusted steel patina walls gardening - If you’re using planters near vegetable, avoid toxic lead as they can cause damage

Container Gardening – How Do You Pick Your Planters?

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It’s easy to get confused when shopping for planters or containers for your garden. Container gardening is not easy since there are many different types and a variety of materials to choose from and they have their own set of pros and cons to consider. So how do you make a decision? Well, there are a few points to consider such as price, Eco-friendliness, style, longevity and size. The material from which the planter is made tends to be the main element which influences such as decision so let’s have a look at a few options before exploring the subject any further.

Metal containers

One of the best things about metal planters is that they’re very durable and don’t chip, crack or break. This makes them really great for the garden. However, they provide little insulation and heat up rapidly so keep that in mind especially if you want to place them in direct sunlight. Most metal planters get more beautiful over time, aging with a nice patina. This makes them very attractive and wonderful decorations for the garden. Keep in mind, however, that metal is a non-porous material so drainage can be a problem in some cases.

Wood planters

There’s a great flexibility associated with wooden planters in general. They can be easily made to size and can either be store-bought or built at home. They provide good insulation and they’re quite cheap compared to other types. However, some pests mat take up residence inside so keep that in mind. You also need to be careful when watering the plants since too much moisture can cause the wood to rot. Lift up the planters from the ground to provide adequate drainage. Wooden planters withstand cold really well and are also durable and good-looking, often adding a nice rustic touch to the décor.

Stone and concrete containers

Natural stone planters and garden containers are always full of character. Stone and rocks always bring uniqueness to a design. Such planters provide great insulation and last for a very long time. Their solid bodies make them stand out in a simple and natural way. A lot of such planters are made from a combination of limestone and fiberglass for a more lightweight and waterproof construction. Stone containers can be quite expensive and sometimes cheaper alternatives become available, these being made of faux stone and more lightweight.

Terracotta pots

Even though they are very popular and probably the most commonly used type of planters, terracotta pots also come with a whole list of disadvantages. They don’t usually provide adequate drainage for the planters and they cheap and crack easily. They also retain heat for long periods of time which is not always beneficial for the plants. In addition, if you have the plants placed directly in a terracotta pot, it will most likely stain the planter. They absorb mineral salts from soil and water and this causes unaesthetic stains on the exterior. Even so, they are very affordable and really easy to customize using paint.

Porcelain and other contemporary options

One of the problems with porcelain planters used outdoors is the fact that they can easily crack when the soil freezes or expands so keep that in mind especially if you’re living in a zone with cold weather. Porcelain planters, like the ones made of concrete or terracotta, draw moisture from the soil and dry out more quickly than other types. This means that the plants require more frequent watering. They can also require more maintenance than others. An advantage is the fact that they’re available in a large variety of colors and in lots of interesting shapes and sizes.