Planters make it possible to have the garden of your dreams, no matter what your outdoor space looks like. From small balconies to big yards, planters are a great addition to your garden. Most plant containers are low-tech. Some have special features to help make growing and managing your plants easier than ever. This guide will review the type of planters for your garden.
Consider Your Space
Before you pick your planters, consider your gardening space. If you have a small area, choose small planters that don’t take up too much room. Rectangular or square planters fit well on deck corners. A large gardening area can better support big flower planters. Create a mix of planter sizes that complement your space. For porches or balconies, a tiered planter stand makes smart use of vertical space.
Choose Your Plants
Knowing what you plan to plant helps you find the best planters for the job. Many plants grow well in containers. Coral bells make beautiful additions to containers. They have brightly colored flowers that grow vertically like shoots and lots of green leaves at their base. Some decorative grasses, such as Spiky Blue, are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Dianthus, zinnias and violas are bright, colored annuals that brighten up any outdoor space. If you want to grow some edible plants, blackberries, peppers and tomatoes thrive in planters.
Get the Right Potting Soil
Potting soil is designed to give potted plants all the nutrients they need for healthy growth. It keeps moisture around the roots of your plant and provides air circulation. A good potting mix helps your plant’s root anchor, extending the life of the plant.
Look for potting soil with ingredients plants love, such as peat moss, pine bark, perlite and vermiculite. Some potting mix includes fertilizer. This gives potted plants a starter charge or can be slowly released over time.
Tip: For potting soil, a heavier weight doesn't mean higher quality. A lighter, fluffier mix is typically a better setting for container flowers, vegetables or herbs.
Choose Your Planter Size
When choosing the right size for your planter, consider proportion and scale. Plants grow quickly outdoors and small pots need more frequent watering. If you buy a plant in a container that’s 10 inches or smaller, look for a pot that’s one to two inches larger than the container. For plants in containers 10 inches or larger, go up two to three inches at least.
If you’re planning on mixed container plantings, you’ll need to plan for a lot of room to help the variety grow strong and full. For mixed container planting, choose a planter at least 16 inches in diameter. If you’re growing a plant from a seedling, choose wallet-friendly pots of various sizes while the plant grows. Once the plant has reached its full size, invest in a more stylish planter where it can live long-term.
Planter Styles
The shape and color of your planters are a great way to display your personal style. These are a few of the most versatile and popular styles:
Traditional: Basic planters feature a classic pot shape and leave off any extra bells and whistles. They are a great way to keep the focus on the plants and come in a wide variety of sizes.
Modern: Square and rectangular planters create a modern feel. Round planters are classic and enhance a soft, natural look.
Artsy: Polka dots, geometric designs, intricate carvings and glazes and washes add personality and festive touches to your garden.
In your outdoor space, you can mix and match styles, colors, patterns and shapes. Choose planter designs that make you feel happy.
Types of Planters
There are many types of planters to choose from, based on your preferences. Many planters include exciting special features to help your plants thrive. These are a few of the most popular types of planters for easy gardening:
- Classic planters: Traditional planters are the classic design for a plant pot. They come in any shape, size and design. Typically, traditional planters feature a drain hole at the base. From a classic terracotta pot to a fancy, carved stone planter, find a classic backdrop to display your favorite plants.
- Self-watering planters: If you don’t have enough extra time for plant maintenance, choose self-watering containers. These planters come with a built-in base that collects water and stores it for later. When the plant needs watering, its root reaches down into the reserves.
- Vertical planters: The best option when you’re short on space, vertical planters stack in a unique pattern. Each level has exposed pockets to plant individual seedlings. Vertical planters are also great for cutting back water usage. Excess water from the top level trickles down to the lower levels for even watering.
- Trellis planters: Mixing style and performance, trellis planter pots make it easy to grow vining plants in a container. These planters come with an attached trellis that typically matches the style of the planter.
- Light-up planters: For that extra-special touch, outdoor planters with lights make your container garden stand out day and night. Light-up planters often feature many colors, timers and programs.
Planter Materials
Focusing on the material of your planter is a great way to create the look you’re after for your garden. Here are a few of the best materials for planters:
Clay: The most common and versatile material for planters, clay pots fit in well with any outdoor decor. Terracotta and clay planters can be easily painted, making them a great project for kids of all ages.
Plastic: Plastic planters are durable, lightweight and low maintenance. If you’re new to gardening or like to rearrange your potted plants, plastic planters are a great option. Some plastic planters are made of recycled plastics. Others are frost-proof, making them durable enough to leave outdoors all year.
Stone: Sustainable and eye-catching, stone planters add a sense of elegance to any outdoor space. Line your front door with matching stone planters to add upgraded curb appeal. Stone planters typically feature ornate designs or geometric shapes and neutral tones.
Planter Maintenance and Care
Each time you add a new planter to your garden, check for any included care instructions. Most outdoor planters are designed for all-year weather, but some need special care. Find out when the first frost will happen in your region, and store any delicate planters in a shed, garage or basement. Planters left outdoors through extreme weather can crack or break.
Helpful Accessories and Tools
No matter what planters you purchase, the right tools and accessories are key to a successful container garden. These are some of the best tools to add to your garden:
Watering cans and bulbs: Depending on how often you’re able to water your garden, you’ll need a watering can or bulb. Watering cans come in many shapes and sizes. Watering monitors, like globes or irrigation systems, need less maintenance. Fill them with fresh water and stick them into the soil of your planter. The water is slowly released over time as the soil dries.
Pruning shears: Keeping your plants trimmed and healthy helps keep your planters secure. A small set of pruning shears near your plant pots makes it simple to trim extra growth.
Planter saucers and stands: Planter saucers collect extra water. That water is reabsorbed into the soil as the plant gets thirsty. Plant stands lift planters off the ground, letting water escape through the bottom. This method can keep you from accidentally overwatering your plants. Some plant stands have locking wheels that make it easy to move large and heavy planters.
Microfiber cloths: Keeping the surface of your planters clean will extend their life. A few microfiber cloths kept near your containers help wipe away spills, water and extra dirt.
Container gardening is a great way to bring color and nature to any outdoor area. No matter how much space you have, you’ll find stylish and durable planters to make your space one of a kind. Knowing about the types of planters for your garden can help you keep your plants healthy.
Plan your container garden from anywhere and get planters delivered right to your doorstep. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.