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Jun 05, 2023

Garden planter ideas: 18 wooden, metal and terracotta containers for patios, decking, porches and paths

Our garden planter ideas are a fabulous way to take any plot up a notch. No matter how much space or gardening experience you have, they're an easy and effective way to make a stylish statement.

Our garden planter ideas are a fabulous way to take any plot up a notch. No matter how much space or gardening experience you have, they're an easy and effective way to make a stylish statement.

Planters offer a huge range of versatility and the opportunity for you to get creative. For instance, they can be updated throughout the seasons for year-round color, or filled with your favorite evergreens for a modern, structured look. You can even use them to grow veggies and herbs, or fill them with ornamental grasses to create a screen between zones as part of your container gardening.

However, the actual style of the planter is not one to overlook. There are lots of options available and the right container can be a feature in itself, regardless of what you put in it. For instance, a super-sized planter will pack a punch and look gorgeous with a mix of cascading blooms, and can also be used to divide up a space. Treated timber designs are perfect for a more country-classic feel, while modern metal will set a contemporary tone.

Want to find the right garden planter ideas for your plot? We've brought together some of our very favorite designs to get you inspired – we're sure you'll find one you love from this mix.

BY SARAH WILSON, HOLLY CROSSLEY

These garden planters are decorated with rows of dimples and beautifully-colored glazes. Their slightly irregular finish adds to the handmade charm – wonderful for adding a subtle boho vibe to your plot.

Arrange various sizes together to add extra interest to the display and plant up with contrasting hues. We love how a palette of deep purple flowers and foliage has been used here, which pops against the surrounding blues and greens.

Opting for garden planter ideas with legs is a surefire way to add a touch of playfulness to your outdoor space. This stylish duo above sports a totally on-trend etched design, while weatherproof, wooden legs give them an extra dose of character.

Their added stature gives them a stronger presence in the garden, too. Simply plant with your favorite leafy shrubs, ferns, or types of ornamental grasses for a fuss-free feature with a unique twist.

We adore these glazed pottery numbers with their pleasing round shapes and two-tone finish in neutral hues. They subtly set a contemporary tone but would look fabulous in any style of plot.

Planted up with ferns, hebes, heucheras, and rudbeckias, they add a fresh feature fit for any of our modern garden. Cluster in groups using various heights for a bolder look.

Sure, these wicker-style planters look stunning, but they have a hidden bonus feature that will save you tons of time, too: they're self-watering! They also come with a water indicator and even a bag of substrate gravel for popping below your potting mix.

With their stainless-steel hangers, they can quickly be secured to your porch, gazebo, or pergola to create a striking display. And, if all that wasn't enough, they'll look just as stylish indoors as they will out, so are perfect if you want to liven up your conservatory as well as your patio.

Bright colors are an easy way to breathe new life into a lackluster space. So, if you're feeling like your plot is looking a little tired, then these might well be the garden planter ideas for you.

Go for funky citrus tones such as this zesty lime or mandarin orange for an invigorating feel. A tactile pattern will only add to the effect. And, if you're really feeling bold and ready for a refresh, pair them with some of colorful garden furniture, too.

For a more structured planting scheme that's easier to control than a border, choose a natural wooden planter. It's a lovely, rustic way to display your blooms.

This one above is made from pressure-treated timber, making it tough and durable. Fancy something a little more colorful? With the help of the best exterior wood paint, you can personalize it with all your favorite hues.

A large planter is ideal for a low-maintenance way of growing vegetables in pots. And metal ones, like this one above, are made to last.

Crafted from powder-coated galvanized steel, they come in a range of finishes and sizes. Buy a few, planting different fruit and veggies in each, so you can enjoy home-grown produce throughout the year.

Tall, feathery grasses or bamboos can create a natural screen for an area of your garden. Bamboo in particular is fast-growing, whereas grass will soften the look while giving interest all year round. Arrange in bold planters to create a secluded seating area or dining space.

These large, contemporary designs are perfect for adding a focal point to a patio, terrace, or as part of your courtyard garden. Plus, they have wheels, so can be moved around to suit your needs.

First of all, can we just note how adorable these patterned pots are? They add a vintage feel to a space, so are ideal if you love a cottage-garden style. But look closer, and you'll see a few cute little visitors too – which are, of course, charming hedgehog pothangers.

Crafted from resin, they add a lovely touch to a garden, and are sure to bring delight to both kids and grown-ups alike. Just pop one or two in your garden planter display (cottage garden plants would make a perfect accompaniment) for a whimsical touch.

One of the best things about garden planter ideas is they can be used to bring more flowers and foliage into any sized plot – no borders or beds required. And while all kinds of containers will do the job, if you've been eyeing up small garden ideas or even our balcony garden ideas, these designs are definitely one to consider.

Their appearance is fuss-free yet stylish, and what's more, they're modular by design, meaning they can slot together with separate storage compartments. They're perfect for stashing garden accessories safely (and tidily) out of the way, keeping your plot clutter-free.

Adding a planter to your balcony fence or decking railing is another clever way to maximize your floor space.

Choose trough planters and fill them with plants to zone different areas of the garden. Fill with tall blooms like delphiniums, Acanthus mollis, hollyhocks, or foxgloves for a modern way to border off seating areas, or part of your patio.

Plus, this contemporary design is on wheels, so moving it around is easy – meaning you can switch up the flow of your plot whenever you like.

Give a pathway a dose of vintage charm with reclaimed-style designs like these. Inspired by Victorian dolly buckets, they're made of fiber clay and are frost resistant to -4°F (-20°C).

They're a fabulous choice for modern plots and cottage gardens alike. Plant with varieties known for their scent, such as lavender. If you then position a few lined up along a path or next to a doorway, you can enjoy the fragrance as you walk by.

Alternatively, fill with smart clipped evergreens for a contemporary and structured look.

'Whatever you wish to grow, there's a planter to match' says Jenny Davis at Forest Garden. 'This season we've introduced an ingenious raised planter for tomato grow bags, which offers easy access to your crop and stops the unsightly grow bag staining your patio or deck.

'We also now have raised kitchen garden planters, which are ideal for plants such as herbs which have shallow roots,' Jenny adds. So, if building traditional raised garden beds is off the cards, then these make a wonderful alternative if you're keen for a bit of grow-your-own action.

Classic pots in gorgeous deep-hued glazes will never go out of style. Try inky blue or calming greens for a soothing vibe. Then, plant up with soft white florals for a simple yet elegant look – our favorite picks include fairy-like gauras, silky-petalled cosmos, or cascades of pretty erigeron.

They're a perfect match for a more laid-back theme, and will look beautiful placed on either side of one of our best garden benches.

Terracotta planters are a classic look that can bring a sense of the sunny Mediterranean to any patio or porch. By opting for angular designs, the timeless style gets a modern update.

Try mixing and matching different-sized rectangular shapes for added interest. A pleasing, peachy hue keeps the tone soft and welcoming.

Love a touch of rattan? This on-trend material isn't just great for your garden furniture – it's a lovely choice for planters, too.

Lightweight, textural, and totally chic in a light gray hue, this design above would suit any small courtyard, patio space, or balcony. Planted up with vibrant echinacea, it creates a stylish scene.

Perfect for lovers of a vintage style, galvanized steel planters such as these are a brilliant way to add a dose of old-fashioned charm to a plot. Positioned on either side of a gate, door, or in this case, archway, they make a stunning feature – even more so once planted up with beautiful blooms.

The addition of handles not only adds an eye-catching detail, but makes them easier to move, should you wish.

Arranged near the entrance to your home, these pots make a smart and stylish welcome to visitors as part of your front garden. Have one or two on either side of a doorway and plant small trees, such as bay or olive, for an inviting entrance. Alternatively, they would make a lovely focal point by a water feature.

And the best part? They're another self-watering variety, giving you one less thing to worry about and more time to enjoy your garden.

Want a stylish display for your plot? These garden planter ideas will elevate your outdoor space in no time