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13 best garden planters to brighten up your garden, patio or balcony
The easiest way to add a pop of colour to your outdoor space
There’s no better way to spruce up any garden or balcony than with an injection of bright summer bulbs and vegetables.
No matter how big your green space is, including one or more bustling planters will give it an instant boost, without any weeding or soil prep required. They’re ideal for bringing life to a patio or balcony garden.
But buying the best garden planter isn’t quite as simple as choosing one that looks nice. You’ll need the right size pot (made with the right materials), the best outdoor plants, and enough drainage to keep them happy and healthy.
There are a lot of options out there, so to help speed up your shopping (and leave more time for the actual gardening), we’ve rounded up our pick of the best garden planters on the market.
Whether you’re looking for a large design for a neglected corner, or you want to make the most of a small balcony, we’ve got the one for you, along with everything you need to know before you shop below.
What is the most durable material for garden planters?
If you’re planning on having a beautiful garden for years to come, you’ll want a planter that's built to last. We asked Rosie Fyles, head of gardens at Chiswick House and Gardens, what materials our plants should call home for years to come.
First up on her list of recommendations is fibreglass, a relatively new material on the gardening scene but one that is quickly becoming a firm favourite for planters. “Fibreglass is long-lasting, can be moulded, retains water, is regarded as quite sustainable, and, visually, it can replicate almost any material from copper to zinc without the maintenance,” Fyles explains.
These planters are also less expensive than metal ones, but, of course, they won’t have that authentic look you may be looking for.
When it comes to metal, Fyles warns: “It will rust and degrade but that may be something you’re happy with. I have a big, round tin planter, which I balance on pot feet so that the rust doesn’t stain my patio. I accept that one day it will all fall apart but it looks how I want it. It’s a nice shape and has served me well for years.”
Many keen gardeners prefer wooden planters or ones made from clay or terracotta. While these aren’t as durable, the natural materials are often popular for their appearance.
This is the case for Fyles, who always opts for a good quality, frost-proof terracotta planter for her garden. “For me, it has the right feel in a garden,” she says. “Whatever the shape or size, these pots can bring an atmosphere or rekindle a memory.”
And if you’re trying to shop on a budget, don’t discount plastic planters. These are lightweight, somewhat durable, and come in various shapes and sizes. However, they aren’t the most environmentally friendly material and can crack when exposed to high heats, making them less advisable if your planter is going to be positioned in a sun trap.
Do garden planters need drainage?
Yes, all planters need drainage holes as they're key to ensuring your plants don’t get overwatered. It’s more than likely your outdoor plants will be out in downpours and rough weather and without holes for the water to drain through, the roots will sit in the excess moisture and risk rotting.
To help maximise drainage, Fyles mixes in 20 per cent horticultural grit into all the compost she uses – and more if it's for bulbs.
That’s not her only trick. “I tend to use plant pot feet throughout wet weather,” she adds. “They allow water to drain and seem to deter slugs and snails.”
If there aren't any drainage holes, the planter is best kept for nurturing your beloved houseplants, or you can pop in a plant that’s still in its nursery pot and check regularly for water pooling at the bottom.
What are the best plants to grow in pots?
There’s no end to the plant combinations you can nurture in a pot, but some are better suited to that environment than others. Thankfully, there are plenty of low effort plants that will thrive; from herbs to daffodils to wildflowers, all will bring a splash of colour to your outdoor space.
Fyles says she dots planters filled with at least three or four pelargoniums (aka hardy geraniums) around her garden. This is because they fare better in pots than in the ground, where they may wilt during colder, frosty months, resulting in fewer spring and summer blooms. “My favourites include ‘Attar of Roses’,” she says. “Its flowers are edible, and its leaves provide a taste of – as you might imagine – rose.”
But if you’re looking for a plant with more greenery, she recommends a fig tree. “Figs are notoriously thuggish to grow in the ground. Their roots need containing to have any chance of keeping them honest,” she says.
In layman's terms, restricting their roots encourages fruit to grow, so a pot situated in a sunny and slightly sheltered area is their perfect spot. “The scent of fig leaves, the shape of the stems and the occasional fig, keep my pot right near my garden table,” says Fyles.
Really though, she says you don’t need be afraid of potting any plants, even ones that typically go in the ground – especially if they’re high value or need a little TLC to thrive. This is what she did for a delicate Acer gifted to her last year. “Putting it into the ground, where most things need to be Labrador-proof felt high risk,” she explains.
“I planted it in an out-size pot, and it now looks perfect. Having it on a bench in the garden means you can really see the red stems, the structure and shape of the leaves and how sunlight plays on them even while it’s still small, allowing you a taste of the impact to come.”
How we chose these garden planters
All these planters have been hand-picked by the Good Housekeeping team and collated by our homes writer. We spend hours reviewing and writing about the best products for your home and garden, so we know what we're looking for when it comes to design and, most importantly, buys that will stand the test of time.
Happy pottering!
These classic round planters from Elho are a reliable staple for your garden.
They come recommended by our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, who says: “I do all my gardening on a balcony, so I love these planters as they’re lightweight and available in lots of sizes, which means I can pack in more plants without worrying about added weight from heavy pots.
“I also like that they’re made with recycled plastic – it makes me feel like I’m not compromising on sustainability so much in pursuit of my bee-friendly corner.”
Are you a serial plant-killer? Or perhaps you’re lucky enough to be jetting off on holiday in the coming months? Whatever the situation, many gardeners will benefit from this clever self-watering garden planter.
It boasts a stick irrigation system, which slowly drips water into the plant point over numerous weeks, so you don’t need to fuss with manually watering (and remembering) when your plants need a drink. The handy water level indicator also shows you exactly when your plants need some TLC – once it gets to ‘min’, simply fill it back to ‘max’ and you should only need to water your plants around every 12 weeks.
We also love the various colourways available and its premium matte finish.
It’s often a challenge finding large planters that don’t weigh a tonne, but that’s why this planter made from fibrecotta (a mix of fibre, resin and clay) is a great buy. The material is lightweight (compared to stone), frost-resistant and non-corrosive so it should last well all-year round.
There’s a much-needed drainage hole at the bottom, and the cubes come in various sizes. We think a collection of these sandy coloured planters would make an eye-catching statement in any garden.
Keeping things classic, this planter is made with responsibly sourced pine wood and comes in five different sizes (from 70cm x 35cm up to 180cm x 40cm). This means it should suit your green-fingered plans, big or small.
While it’s heavier than a plastic planter, the rustic charm is a real selling point. Plus, the minimalist style pairs perfectly with colourful spring bulbs.
This planter set is undoubtedly an investment, but for keen gardeners it’s a worthy one. Crafted from durable clay, they will bring a natural feel to any garden or balcony. The textured geometric design provides a unique, characterful touch too.
Every planter also has a drainage hole, so there’s no need to worry about your plants becoming oversaturated.
Terracotta makes us think of the idyllic Tuscan countryside, and this strawberry planter is no exception. Featuring six planting pockets, the pot’s design helps to keep ripening fruit off the ground, reducing the risk of pest damage and disease.
Just note that it's best to store this planter away during colder months, but as strawberries don’t grow then anyway, this is hardly a dealbreaker.
Add some colour to your balcony, decking or fence with these hanging flowerpots. They come with detachable hooks for easy installation and excess water drains away through a small hole in the base.
They’re made of metal, making them durable and sturdy, but keep them out of sun traps as this can make plants overheat. Choose between white, black and multi-coloured planters to make an elevated focal point for your outdoor space.
While this raised bed has the appearance of a traditional, wooden planter, it’s actually made from vinyl, making it much lighter.
We love the handy storage space beneath the planter’s bed, which could store all our gardening tools, from watering cans to the best gardening gloves, and trowels. Or more smaller potted plants! It comes in a stylish grey shade as well as a natural sage green.
This cover pot was picked by Hannah, our homes editor. “I’ve had this ceramic pot cover for ages – it’s one of the first I bought when I made the big decision to become a plant parent,” she says. “You can plant straight into it if you want, but I generally pop the plant inside still in its nursery pot so there’s good drainage.”
While it's recommended for indoor use to preserve its high quality, we love how much character it gives to our sheltered outdoor spaces.
If your garden aesthetic is quite boho chic, then this planter should fit right in. It’s shaped as a traditional milk churn with two side handles and is made of galvanised steel – we just adore the charm it brings to a green space.
Pair it with some leafy green foliage or trailing plants to quickly give your garden a new look.
PERFNIQUE Indoor Herb Garden Planter for Indoor/Outdoor
Herb planters are a great way of bringing greenery to a small space – whether you’re working with a balcony, patio, or even a windowsill. This collection of three small pots is the perfect home for a new, growing challenge that brings life to your garden and your kitchen.
Our homes writer, Megan Geall, is a fan.“This cute planter brings a lovely touch to my collection,” she says. “I love the handy tray, which means I can carry it between my outdoor area and my kitchen windowsill, depending on the weather.
“Growing my own herbs has been such a fun project that has me feeling like a green-fingered pro (even though I’m definitely still a beginner)."
This extra-large pot is perfect for homing big plants or blooms that need plenty of space to spread their roots. It has a 60cm diameter and is made from cement fibres which will complement the natural surroundings.
We love the aqua finish too, which brings a lovely Mediterranean feel and a pop of colour to the garden.
This set of two barrel planters comes in three sizes (small, medium or large) to suit every garden set-up. While they have that wooden appearance, they’re made of plastic, making them lightweight and more durable, so you can enjoy them year after year.
They don’t have drainage holes but that does mean you can keep them both indoors and outdoors. Popping stones or gravel at the bottom of your pot can help water drain away from roots, too.
7 April 2025: We updated the article headline and introduction, and checked the prices and stock levels.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
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