Do you like the idea of gardening but don’t have the room to have a garden of your own?
We’ve got good news: you don’t need a big yard to garden. In fact, with just a patio, deck, or balcony, you can have your garden.
To help show you, we’ve created a guide of the best planter boxes for patios. We’ll show the good and the bad of each planter option so you can make an educated decision.
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
Best Planter Boxes for Patios
Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed
The Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed is often recommended by its customers. It’s a solid choice for virtually anyone looking to add a planter box to their patio.
Unlike planter pots, which come in a bottomless array of colors or patterns, planter boxes can be a little on the plain side of the spectrum. But this Keter planter box has a faux wicker texture that resembles a woven basket.
Because of its self-watering reservoir, it’s beginner-friendly. You add water to the tank on the bottom, and your plants will basically water themselves.
To make the self-watering feature easier water gauge is built into the top. It’s easily understandable, notifying you with a glance whether the planter needs more or less water.
Even the fact it has legs is pleasant. Many people dislike gardening, having to kneel to attend to plants – that’s no issue for the Keter planter, which stands up on high legs so you can reach your plants without hunching over.
Pros
- Protects your back and joints since you won’t have to bend over to the garden.
- Self-watering.
- It has a built-in water gauge to let you know when you need to add or drain water.
- Manual drainage, so messy puddles don’t form under your planter unexpectedly.
- It comes in two different colors
Cons
- Requires some assembly
- Some customers have warned that you need to be cautious of rain when you’re using a self-watering planter, as this can result in your plants getting too much water.
Also Read: Best Planters for Climbing Roses
Vertical Garden Freestanding Elevated Planter
If you want to grow lots of flowers in an extremely limited amount of space, this Vertical Garden Freestanding Elevated Planter is one way to do it. It has four planter boxes going up a shelf, forming a tower of flowers.
One especially interesting thing about this design is the cascading drainage system. Each planter has drainage, allowing excess water to drip into the planter below it.
With this design, an innovative idea of watering pants starting from the top will flow to the next planter below help minimize effort.
The frame supporting the four planter boxes is strong, as well. You won’t need to worry about all your carefully cultivated plants crashing down into each other.
Pros
- Allows you to grow even more plants in a limited space by stacking planters.
- The frame is strong enough to support all the planter boxes.
- Available in two different colors.
- Optional cascading drainage system you can add using instructions in the manual.
- Elegant, curving shape
Cons
- Assembly is required.
- Some customers noted you have to drill drainage holes into the bottoms of the planters yourself.
Also Read: Best Planters for Bonsai
Furinno Tioman Hardwood Planter Box
It’s no secret that gardens are relaxing. This Furinno planter helps you make your patio garden into a spot to sit and rest without having to invest in other outdoor furniture.
It includes two planter boxes, with a bench connecting them. Plant two beautiful flower varieties or maybe boxwood into either planter, then sit back and relax on the bench.
The meranti wood that the set is made from is long-lasting. It’s been treated so that it can resist water rather than soaking it up and rotting.
Plus, if you don’t like the bench and just want the planter boxes, you can easily remove them.
Pros
- It comes with two planter boxes and a bench
- The wood is durable.
- The bench can support up to 350 lbs.
Cons
- Requires some assembly
- The planter boxes don’t have panels on the bottom, so you’ll need to add something to the bottom to hold up your plants.
Read Also: Best Planters for Boxwood
Adams Manufacturing Deluxe Garden Planter
This Adams planter is an example of a planter with more than one function. In addition to the planter box at the top, it has a convenient shelf built into the bottom.
Both are fairly sturdy. The planter itself is able to hold up to 150 pounds, while the shelf on the bottom can hold up to 15 pounds.
It allows you to have your garden and your most important gardening tools all kept in one place. That’s what makes it especially wonderful when you’re short on room.
During colder months, you can even make room on your patio by removing the legs and storing the planter away.
Pros
- Strong build.
- It’s easy to transport or store because of its removable legs.
- It comes in several different colors.
- It is made from weather-resistant material.
- The raised platform means you won’t have to kneel to take care of your plants.
- Built-in storage shelf below the planter box
Cons
- It does need some assembly.
- A few customers reported that the actual planter box is a bit shallow for some plants.
Also Read: Best Planters for Boston Fern
Aivituvin Raised Garden Bed
Are you trying to find a planter that can do more than just hold your plants? This Aivituvin planter is another shining example of a multifunctional planter.
In addition to a bottom shelf, it has a shelf on the side. Both can be used to hold your supplies, which frees up storage space elsewhere.
As a bonus, you’ll get a free liner for the planter. This forms a barrier between your soil and the wood, preventing any potential damage to the wood over time and increasing its longevity.
Pros
- Gorgeous wood design.
- Has not just one, but two shelves
- It comes with a free liner to protect the wood.
- Elevated, so you don’t have to stoop or kneel.
- It has a removable divider to put between plants.
Cons
- Assembly required.
CedarCraft Elevated Cedar Planter
Do you wish there was a way for you to grow plants for a longer amount of time in the year? There is, with the CedarCraft Elevated Cedar Planter.
It includes a greenhouse cover that helps shield your plants and provides them an ideal climate to grow in. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can have the planter sitting out in the winter if you get a lot of snow, but it can help extend your growing window a bit more.
Otherwise, the greenhouse cover can shield your plants from hungry animals and insects.
Pros
- It is made from stunning and sustainably sourced Canadian cedar.
- Greenhouse cover protects your plants and helps form an optimal climate for growing.
- Raised platform, so you don’t have to bend over
- Available in a few different sizes.
Cons
- It’s not easy to move once it’s assembled and may require you to take it apart to store or transport it.
Encanto Plastic Planter Box with Trellis
There’s something gorgeous about plants climbing gracefully up a trellis. That look can be yours to enjoy on your patio with the Encanto Plastic Planter Box with Trellis.
As you can see, there’s a support system built right into the box of the planter. That’s ideal for plants that need something to cling to, such as bougainvillea or even tomato plants.
Because it’s made from plastic, this planter is lighter than it looks. You won’t have to strain to carry it.
Weather isn’t an issue for it, either. Rust, frost, and various weather conditions are all things it can withstand.
Pros
- Tough.
- They are offered in three colors.
- Includes a trellis to support plants on the back.
- Made 30% from recycled material
- Has drainage holes with an optional plug
- No tools are necessary to assemble it.
Cons
- Some assembly is necessary.
Read Also: Best Planters for Bougainvillea
Araluen Cedar Planter Box
Fans of woodsy-looking décor should rejoice with the Araluen Cedar Planter Box. Predictably, it’s made from cedar, which is perfect for bringing that touch of rustic to your home, even if you happen to live in the middle of the city.
Its makeup is tough enough to endure all kinds of weather conditions. That makes it perfect for setting out on your patio, rain or shine.
On the bottom, you’ll find that it has drainage holes. This is an extra measure of protection for your plants because it prevents excess water from standing in your planter.
Pros
- Beautiful cedar construction.
- Has drainage holes
- Resistant to weather conditions.
Cons
- It doesn’t come put together.
- You’ll need to have tools to assemble it.
Solid Wood Planter Box
If you just want a simple planter box, there are options like this Solid Wood Planter Box: no trellises, benches, or anything extra – just a gorgeous box to house your plants.
At this point, it’s also offered in three total colors. You can use any of these colors to accentuate a theme on your patio.
Slats on the bottom allow for adequate drainage. Your plants won’t become too soaked in this planter.
Pros
- Simple and elegant design.
- They are offered in three colors.
- Allows drainage through slats in the bottom
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- You’ll need to put it together when it arrives.
- A few customers stated that the colored versions have uneven paint jobs sometimes.
Also Read: Best Planters for Dill
What to Consider When Buying a Planter Box for your Patio
Size
If you’re looking into planters to use on your patio, there’s a chance you’re doing so because you don’t have the most room to spare. Even if that’s not the case, patios tend to not be very large, and you don’t want your planter to take up most of its area.
Fortunately, planters come in all kinds of sizes. Some are designed with extra functions in mind to further conserve space, such as shelves or benches.
To ensure you end up getting a planter box that doesn’t crowd you, measure your patio. Then compare it with the dimensions of any prospective planter box.
Take the measurements of the planter box out to your patio and try to visualize it using something like a tape measure. This will give you a better idea of what you have to work with.
Also See: 8 Best Potting Soils for Christmas Cactus
Drainage
Although plants need water, the majority of them can’t just sit in puddles of it. If your soil gets waterlogged, there’s a chance your plants could get root rot.
One step you can take to avoid this outcome is by purchasing planters designed to allow drainage. Typically, this looks like a hole or multiple holes in the bottom.
In self-watering planters, your plants are generally kept separate (usually above) the water, which also helps protect them from getting soggy. Some still use drainage holes, as well, as an added measure of protection.
Look
Patios are a wonderful place to sit back and relax. Most people stick some comfy furniture and a fire pit on theirs.
One thing that adds to a relaxing atmosphere is undoubtedly design. If you think about the places where you felt the calmest, it’s possible that something about the way it looked helped you, whether it was the color scheme or the luxurious furniture.
Your planter box can do the same thing. They come in many various colors and designs, and you certainly have enough options to choose from to ensure you end up with something that fits your taste.
Additional Features
Another thing to think about is whether or not you’d prefer a planter with any extra features. Sure, you could just get a simple planter box, which would be fine.
But if you frequently forget to water plants, or you’re going on a vacation, you might appreciate a self-watering planter box. This planter usually has a reservoir built into the bottom that allows water to soak into the soil from the bottom over time slowly.
Or, if you have bad knees or joints, you might benefit from a raised planter box. These stand up on legs, so you don’t have to squat to reach your plants.
Basically, on top of expecting your planter to hold your garden, you can factor in what else it’s capable. You’ve got options.
Wrap Up
In our opinion, one planter on this list that stands out is the Aivituvin Raised Garden Bed. It looks particularly appealing, and we adore the side workstation and the shelf below the planter box.
The shelves can help you save on some space, and the fact that it’s raised means we don’t have to struggle to get up off the ground again every time we need to tend to the plants.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
