Tips for Outdoor Planters: Size, Placement, and More

Planters can really improve your outdoor space and improve the curb appeal of your home. They can make your entryway more inviting, bring the deck area into focus, and so much more.

Outdoor planters are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials ranging from large Corten steel pots to small, lighter types. In this post, we will provide our top suggestions for selecting the right outdoor planters to fit your house.

Size Matters

The right size of a planter is somewhat of a Goldilocks scenario -- it must be the right size. If a planter is small, it could encroach on the roots of the plant, causing an insufficient supply of oxygen, water, and the nutrients needed for plants to thrive.

However, a planter that is too big could cause problems. In this situation, the soil may get too moist and submerge the roots of the plant. The excess water may also cause fungal growth and lead to the roots beginning to turn brown.

The recommendation is to look for a planter at least 2 inches larger than the diameter of your plant. The height is important to take into consideration as well. Select a planter tall enough to hold the plant's roots and an additional 1 or 2 inches above the planter to provide water.

When it comes to the dimensions of the planter in relation to the space you have, we always suggest measuring the area first. Width is crucial in all areas because you want a spacious space around your planter in order to allow for the flow of pedestrians. Height is also a crucial factor when placing planters close to doors. Make sure you choose a pot that's tall enough to be within the line of sight of your guest. Be aware that what plants you select to plant in your containers can affect the height of their appearance.

Perfect Placement

If you're looking for a suitable location for your outdoor planters, the options are virtually endless. Planters can be placed on your walkway or driveway to draw attention to your home or surround your front door by placing large outdoor planters on either side as in the above. You could also put planters in a retaining wall close to an entrance to your house or place many of them on your lawn. Container plants can add lushness and greenery to areas that have a lot of hardscaping or stone, as well as be used to conceal or disguise items you do not want to be the focus of attention.

When it comes to groups of planters are concerned, three planters with varying heights are great together. However, we're not too worried about groupings of four or single plants that are bigger or include a standout plant. It is always possible to start with just one planter and then add more to the grouping as time goes on.

Plant Height: Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers

If you're planning to mix different planters and pots in one area, including plants of different heights can bring out the visual. Opt to mix plants that are a bit tense (eye-catching plants) as well as fillers (foliage that fills empty spaces) and spillers (something that spills out over the edge in the planter).

If you're mixing several plants in one pot, pick plants with similar requirements for light and water.