Selecting the best planter pots is all about optimising plant health while enhancing garden aesthetics and appeal. As well as the standard plastic and ceramic pots we all have in our sheds, there is also a wide range of larger wood and metal planters you can use. The best planters come in all shapes and sizes: freestanding, sleepers, raised and even some with a trellis for climbers.
But it is not all about style. As anyone sharing tips for gardeners will tell you, the last thing you want is a planter that is so small it leaves your greenery rootbound.
What makes the best planter pots?
The best planter pots will vary from one plant to the next because of the different nature of every plant’s root spread. One of our top tips for gardeners is to match the profile of your planter to the profile of the roots.
A plant with deep yet narrow roots will be best suited to an upright planter with a smaller footprint. But a plant species that has shallow, yet far-reaching roots will much prefer to be in something more resembling a wooden sleeper-style planter. You can train the leaves and branches with some skilled pruning, but the roots have a mind of their own.
Choose from these materials
Your search for the best planters will also take in a whole host of varied materials:
- Ceramic - is best for luxury planters where you want an artistic finish
- Plastic - is an option when the best planters are those that will easily fit your budget
- Wood - looks great, and is typically cheaper than ceramic, but does need a degree of maintenance
- Metal - is a modern look, but one which can be heavy if you want to move a large planter
- Terracotta - garden pots made from terracotta are a sustainable option for planting shrubs, offering both durability and a variety of styles for outdoor use
Tips for gardeners to choose the right pot
At Shedstore we are all about helping you find the best planter pots and best planters for any type of greenery. In fact, our most popular tips for gardeners are always focused on getting the most out of every seed you plant. Choosing the right pot can help your favourite plants thrive.
The first thing you should do when shopping for the best planters is to make sure there is adequate drainage. Drilling a couple of holes in the bottom and then backfilling with large pebbles before adding compost will allow excess water to drain away, this is key if you want to avoid root rot.
If you want to give the kids a little veggie patch to go alongside their new Shire Stork Wooden Playhouse, pick a planter with a firm base and at least a foot of depth to match the root profile.
Herb gardens are the exact opposite and can easily be grown in lightweight window boxes as they typically have shallow, confined root structures. If you want some florals to frame your garden gate, opt for something in the middle like a sleeper-style planter.
Best planters for indoor and outdoor use
The needs of indoor plant pots versus outdoor plant pots vary, so we have summarised these below.
Indoor plant pots
Certain pots are particularly suitable for indoor plants, ensuring they match the size and style of your indoor greenery. The best planter pots for use indoors need to be lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and able to retain the water they take in. In this case, the best planters will typically be small ceramic pots or aesthetically pleasing plastic options. They can be used in any room in the house, as well as in garden offices or even an outdoor building like the Forest Harwood 3 m x 2 m Log Cabin.
Outdoor plant pots
Outdoor planters, on the other hand, will typically require a different choice of material. Plastic will not winter as well as treated wood or ceramic and metal may corrode if it has not been suitably finished. You will also want to consider the unique needs of the plant and if it needs to be replanted into a larger planter to reduce the risk of frozen roots over the winter.
As experienced gardeners will know it is all about the root profile when it comes time to get through the cold snaps. Small trees in pots add another dimension to your garden, creating a quirky, ever-changing scene.
Aesthetic considerations for garden planters
Just because we have focused on the needs of the plants when it comes to finding the best planter pots does not mean the best planters cannot also look nice. Just like when you are shopping for log stores or metal garages, you want style and substance to strike the right balance. Certain planters are designed to create eye-catching displays in your garden, adding a touch of elegance and charm.
One of our top tips for gardeners is to match the style of your planter to the surrounding décor. If you are using it outside alongside a traditional shiplap garden shed, a bold ceramic colour will strike the right balance. And if you are using your new planter indoors, something a little more understated and nuanced will allow the plant itself to steal the limelight and truly stand out.
Functional tips for indoor and outdoor planters
Our thoughts on the best planter pots and best planters also extend to nurturing and rearing your plants so they are ready for the next part of their journey. Just like your little ones graduate from small garden swings and slides to climbing trees, our list of tips for gardeners needs to cover potting and repotting.
Garden designers often use three or more identical containers planted with the same plants for maximum impact. Repotting before a plant becomes rootbound will give it the best possible chance of flourishing. If the soil is being pulled away from the edges of the planter, the roots are surrounding all the soil, and the plant needs to be moved as soon as you have a spare bit of time.
Having a wheeled stand to move your planters around the garden, and plenty of potting soil full of mulch is the key here. Gently remove the plant (never pull it) to keep its roots intact and then place it into a pre-watered hole in the new, bigger planter. Job done!
Sustainability in planter pot choices
If you can find sustainable options during your search for the best planter pots and best planters, then you will really be onto something. When it comes to those with truly green fingers, we are happy to offer tips for gardeners who want to be truly eco-friendly. Compostable pots that enrich the soil and feed the plants will make all the difference and are far nicer than endless stacks of cracked plastic pots doing nothing in the shed.
Choosing sustainable pots that can be used year round is essential for maintaining an eco-friendly garden. You could also combine this innovative approach to planters with your own compost heap. Making nutritious plant food from waste, scraps, and offcuts is the way we all used to garden before chemicals started to come into the picture.
Conclusion
If you are searching for the best planters and best planter pots, we are always happy to share tips for gardeners looking to get the most out of their efforts. In short, it is all about finding planters that match the needs of each specific plant species, and that means matching the profile of the pot to the profile of the plant’s roots. Give it space to grow and suck up all that water and you will have greenery that comes into its own before you know it. Just what you want to hear when it is time to create a thriving garden that makes you smile every time you step outside.
Contact us
Use our new contact form and connect with a Shedstore expert whenever you need to. They are always on hand so you can ask questions, clarify key points and find solutions to all the gardening problems you run up against. Perfect when you want to be able to make short work of even the most complex job with those green fingers of yours. We are also available on 0333 003 0518, as well as on live text chat via our app.