Cute and Functional Deck Rail Planter Ideas
Deck railing planters can go a long way in helping your spruce up your deck, but they are also an efficient way of organizing your space and satisfying your green thumb. Made from a wide range of materials and available in many different styles, these planters are suitable for different types of deck decors, so let’s take a look into the pros and cons of these products and go over a list of deck rail planters that are absolutely top-notch.
What Is a Deck Rail Planter?
A deck rail planter is literally a pot for your planets that usually has a rectangular shape and can be attached to the edges of your rails using hangers or brackets that are usually sold together with the product. There are a lot of different types of deck rail planters to choose from, with materials that range from plastic to heavy-duty metal, simple or with intricate shapes, and available in a wide variety of colors.
The best part about deck rail planters is that they can be mounted in other locations as well, making them suitable for hanging on your fence, gate, or even on a trellis, provided you can make the necessary arrangements.
Pros & Cons of Deck Rail Planters
There are plenty of reasons why people would choose desk rail planets, so let’s go over some of the main benefits that you could get from purchasing one (or multiple) of these:
- There are a lot of styles to choose from, so you can definitely find something that you like or something that matches your outdoor decor.
- They are usually made from weather-resistant materials, regardless of whether the primary material used in the construction of the planter is plastic or steel.
- You are not limited to using the planters to just the deck’s railing. These can also be mounted on your fence, your gate, hung from the window still, or placed wherever you have the means to hang the mounting system.
- Depending on the height at which the planter is hung, you most likely won’t have to bend over to water the plants.
- These planters can also be used to organize a vertical garden whenever you’re short on space. These are particularly useful for balcony setups, but they can also work in gardens with limited outdoor space.
While these are not necessarily cons, we wanted to point out some red flags that might suggest a particular planter choice is not the right option for you. These include:
- Some planters don’t have pre-drilled drainage holes, which could cause overwatering, root rot, and potential plant damage.
- Depending on the construction of the planter, some of them might not be UV resistant, meaning that the color of the planter will fade when overly exposed to the sun.
DIY Planter Ideas
There are so many cool things that you can do with planters, including making your own ones from scratch. For all those of you passionate about DIY projects, we have a few planter ideas that you’re bound to fall in love with.
You can repurpose rubber boots and turn them into planters. All you need is some water-resistant paint and plenty of imagination,
Here you can find a bunch of cool DIY planter ideas which include colorful pots that you can label with given plant names, repurposed wooden crates that can be used as planters, or concrete cement planters that are super-easy to make and will withstand the test of time.
Bobvilla comes with a bunch of planter ideas that you can make yourself even this weekend. You can see how to repurpose old drawers and turn them into planters, how to use wooden bowls to showcase your flowers, or even turn colanders into colorful planters.
Ideas for Deck Rail Planters
Juengel Self Watering Plastic Railing Planter
If you want to buy in bulk, how about taking a look into offers like this one? This is a set of five planters made from plastic and available in a gray and a brown color. They come with metal brackets that are compatible with rails of 2.89 inches maximum. Each planter has a 360 oz. capacity and comes with drainage holes to prevent overwatering. A planter measures 7.1” H x 19.2” W x 7.1” D and has an interior of 7” x 19” x 7”.
Black Franco Steel Window Rail Planter
Coming up next, we have a black metal planter that’s made from steel bars. It can be mounted on brick walls but also on different types of rails, since it comes with compatible brackets. The planter measures 8” H x 30” W x 7.8” D and comes with a brown liner that offers a nice contrast for the entire product.
White Barnaton Zinc Railing Planter
Even if white planters require frequent cleaning, they do have a certain appeal about them, and this one right here makes no exception. It measures 9.2” H x 15.7” W x 10.4” D, with 9” x 15” x 10” being the measurements of the interior. It is compatible with railings of up to 3 inches max and is made from zinc. It has a 60 oz. capacity but doesn’t include a drainage hole.
Newcastle Railing Planter
Made from solid wood and available in a beautiful shade of beige, this railing planter combines diagonal wooden slats for a more rustic appeal. It is available in two sizes, so you can opt between a 10″ H x 31.5″ W x 11.75″ D planter with a 576 oz. capacity and a 10″ H x 37.5″ W x 11.75″ D planter with a 640 oz. capacity.
Emsco Group Bloomers Railing Planter
Those of you that would like to choose a more colorful planter should take a look into the many different color options available for this model. Measuring 9.5 x 23.75 x 10.5 inches, this planter comes with included fasteners that help you secure it to the rails. It has durable resin construction that does a good job in staying strong even when exposed to the elements.
Metallic Series Galvanized Steel Railing Planter
Here we have another solid planter that’s made from galvanized steel. It’s available in two size options: you have the 9” H x 36” W x 9” D planter with a 1,600 oz. capacity and the 9” H x 48” W x 9” D planter with a 2,100 oz. capacity. These planters are designed with UV-resistant powder coating, so they can withstand the elements and stay strong in the face of rust and corrosion.
Ubalda Horse Trough Steel Rail Planter
This is another planter that’s made from metal bars and comes with brown liner and overall construction that would match some beautifully colored potted flowers. It has a rustic appeal to it, being perfect for exteriors. It comes with adjustable brackets that allow you to mount the planter on both walls and rails. It measures 8.5″ H x 24″ W x 9″ D and doesn’t include any drainage holes.
Gray Jefcoat Oval 3-Piece Metal Railing Planter Set
When it comes to metal planters with vintage accents, this is a set with a lot to offer. It includes three planters with an identical design made from weathered steel that will fade and turn to a rust-like color when exposed to natural elements. Made from iron, these planters are gray and come with rope handles for a more rugged appearance.
Paxico Galvanized Steel Railing Planter
Want to look at some more metal planters? Here you go then! This is a galvanized steel metal planter that measures 6.25” H x 22” W x 6.5” D overall and has interior measurements of 4.75” x 21.75” x 5.75”. It comes in four color options: white, copper, blue, and green. It has a 365 oz. capacity and includes drainage holes for proper soil moisture levels.
Self-Watering Resin Railing Planter
Here we have another planter for your railing, made with quality resin and available in a bunch of cool colors, including purple, green, and chocolate. It has a 957 oz. capacity and comes with a drainage hole for proper water elimination. It measures 7.25” H x 23” W x 9.5” D and has an interior that measures 7.25” x 21.25” x 8.25”.
Related: Click and Grow Smart Herb Garden Review – The Best Self Watering Pots
Meekins Rail Planter
One could argue that the design of this rail planter isn’t the best one yet (it oddly resembles the kind of plastic trash can that you’d expect to find under someone’s desk) but it does have a certain appeal to it. This product suggestion is a set of three planters that are made from resin and have a 640 oz. capacity each. The interior measures 11” x 12.5” x 8” and comes with watering holes on both sides of the planter.
Ellington Self-Watering Polypropylene Railing Planter
Here is a planter with a very interesting design, capable of being placed on top of the rail itself. It’s made from high-density plastic and measures 9” H x 11.9” W x 11.9” D overall. The plastic resin construction is UV stabilized and has a capacity of 256 oz. It includes drainage holes and has a self-watering design. The matte finish is less prone to scratches and less of a fingerprint magnet.
Sumrall Fabric Rail Planter
Maybe you’ve never heard about fabric planters before, so this could be the chance to see something somewhat revolutionary. This is basically a piece of fabric that comes with two pockets on each side, with the entire planter going over the rails. You can make use of the grommeted holes to attach the planter even better. The fabric has a weather-resistant construction and can hold up to 384 oz.
Courtney 3-Piece Metal Railing Planter Set
How about this adorable set of three planters that can easily fit on your patio rails? They are basically designed like three small buckets that can hold up to 16 oz. and measure 6.5” H x 20” W x 6.5” D overall. They are made entirely out of metal and have a purple glossy coating that makes them look fabulous.
Gray Tramore Driftwood Look Ceramic Rail Planter
If you’re ready to take things up a notch, maybe you should take a look into this gorgeous ceramic rail planter. Designed to look like a wooden log, this planter has an outstanding design and measures 3” H x 5” W x 16.5” D. It’s heavier than the others, weighing in at 5.5 pounds. It doesn’t come with drainage holes and can be used both indoors as well as outside.
White/Dark Gray Holtz 2 – Piece Polyrattan Railing Planter
This set of two rattan planters is just exquisite, with each one available in a different color to create a more interesting contrast on your patio. Each of the planters measures 5.25” H x 6.25” W x 6.25” D and has an interior of 4.75” x 4.5” x 4.5”. There are no drainage holes in the construction but each planter has a capacity of 41 oz.
“Ridge Rail” Long Rectangular Flower Pot
Decorative planters are everywhere, so it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and what to look for. This particular flower planter has an eco-friendly construction made of polypropylene and with a beautiful walnut finish. The package includes two identical planters, with each of them measuring 22.8 x 11.4 x 7.8 inches. You can also opt for other colors, such as white or charcoal.
Kingbuy Balcony Rail Planters
Whenever you’re looking for a nice way to showcase your potted plants, you can turn to planters like these ones right here. This is a pack of three identical white planters that are made from steel and can be installed without the need for any holes or additional hardware. They can support a total weight of 50 pounds and have a double-hook design for more secure rail hanging.
Tosnail 3 Pack Hanging Railing Planter
If you liked the rail planters we’ve shown you before, but would fancy something richer in details and with a black finish, take a look into these Tosnail planters. They are made from black metal and have beautiful leaf patterns that work well with just about any potted plant. These planters also come with double hooks and measure 8” top diameter x 6” bottom diameter x 4.5” in height.
Amazon Basics Recycled Wood Deck Hanging Planter
AmazonBasics is back at it again, this time with a recycled wood hanging planter that looks simply amazing. It measures 18.9 x 7.87 x 7.5 inches and has a design that blends elements made from wood, alloy steel, and plastic. It’s a pack of two identical planters that are made with recycled pine wood and feature predrilled drainage holes.
Bloem Hanging Garden Planter System
When you’re interested in a practical way to showcase your plants whilst saving some space in the process, systems like this one are bound to serve you right. They are especially suitable for vertical gardens and growing herbs while taking advantage of every bit of free hanging space you have. These wall-mounted pots measure 8.5 x 12.25 x 13 inches each and have a sturdy plastic construction.
Stands Balcony Wrought Iron Brackets
Another amazing suggestion that we have in store for you today takes the shape of this long planter that’s made from sturdy metal with a black finish. It can hold a number of potted plants and there are multiple length options for you to choose from. The hangers are there to make sure that you can mount the planter to the rails in no time.
Hanging Balcony Railing Planter Box
Here is another metal planter with a curved-bar design and a white finish that can hold multiple smaller pots and planters to make your patio or yard look absolutely amazing. You can attach it to the rail, fence, gate, or wherever the two hangers fit best. You have multiple size options to choose from, so you can pick longer or shorter planters, depending on your personal design requirements.
H Potter Window Planter Box
Coming in hard at 48 x 8 x 8 inches, we bring you yet another stainless steel planter with a beautiful brown metallic finish. It is a hand-crafted product with predrilled drainage holes that ensure your soil is never soaked in water, protecting your plants from potential rot and disease. The antique copper finish is perfect for multiple types of decors, and the liner is removable and easy to clean.
Veradek Metallic Series Railing Planter
Our last suggestion for today is a metallic planter that’s made from quality alloy steel and available in an elegant black finish. It sports a modern design and measures 36 x 9 x 9 inches. It has a weather-resistant construction and provides insulation for your plants in the colder seasons. The seams are welded and the thick gauge powder coating gives it a very elegant touch.
Bottom Line
The vast product options that are at your disposal will make choosing a deck rail planter difficult because you are bound to find a multitude of products to fall in love with. What’s important is to opt for products that are weather-resistant, especially for planters that will be placed under direct sunlight or exposed to nature’s elements.