A planter for every place.
Where to put planters and how to choose the right kind for you.
Container gardening has become increasingly popular over the past decade and we are not surprised. Growing flowers, greenery and even food in planters has so many benefits, everybody wants to get in on the action. No yard? No problem. Planters make gardening accessible for apartment and condo dwellers. Got a budget? Container gardening is cost effective because it doesn’t take truckloads of mulch and soil to fill a planter. Want to save your back from the pain of traditional gardening? Planters make things easier on the body because you don’t have to be on your hands and knees in the dirt. Like to change things up from season to season? We do, too. Planters are perfect for spring, summer, fall and winter decorating.
Once you’ve decided that container gardening is for you, the next step is to consider where you want to put planters and what kind of planters you need. We will walk you step by step through that process so you’ll feel confident that your garden will meet your unique needs.
Where to put planters for the effect you want
1. What is the purpose of your planter?
A planter is a jack of all trades. It can do many different jobs. Consider what job you want planters to do for you.
Softening hardscapes
Driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage doors and other non-plantable surfaces can look harsh without a little help from plant life. A planter full of flowers and greenery brings color and softness to those spaces.
Providing privacy
Even if you love your neighbors, that doesn’t mean you want to stare them in the face every time you’re outside. Planters filled with trees or tall plants will make your deck, porch or patio feel more private for you and your guests.
Highlighting features
Your place has good things going for it and planters make those things great. Make your front door pop with an inviting planter or two. Direct attention to your pool, pond or fountain with planters full of color and interesting texture. Give them the extra shine they deserve.
Growing food
If you don’t have the space or the will to plant rows and rows of veggie gardens, growing produce in planters lets you start small and eat well. A planter of herbs or vegetables will give your dishes extra flavor without extra trips to the store.
Attracting wildlife
Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are critically important to the health of our ecosystem. Luckily, you don’t need a meadow of wildflowers to help out these pollinators at home. A planter full of the right flowers will attract important wildlife responsible for pollinating a good share of our food supply.
2. What is the environment where you want the planter?
No matter what purpose you have in mind for your planters, the right location takes into account the surrounding climate.
Consider your region’s weather
Will your planters be subjected to temperature swings from below zero to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the course of a year? Do you live somewhere more temperate where the weather tends to stay pretty mild season to season? Getting all-weather planters like PolyStone planters can save you the headache (and cost) of replacing planters every year.
Consider how much sun the location gets
Before you decide where to place planters, keep an eye on how much sun those locations get throughout the day. Take photos or notes on your phone about how much sun those spots receive morning, mid-day and afternoon. This will help you know what kinds of flowers and plants will grow best in those locations.
3. How convenient is the planter’s location?
Make it easy to water
If you're as into convenience as we are, you’ll want your planters to be reachable by hose or at least not too far a walk with a heavy watering can. Think about how willing and able you are to get water to your plant babies before you place your planters.
Make it easy to harvest
You don’t want to be mid-way through a recipe and have to schlep out to the back nine to snip some basil. Place your kitchen garden planter as close to a door as possible for easy access.
Need some more ideas? Get inspired with our gallery.
How to choose planters
Now that you have a location for your planter in mind, it’s time for the fun part—choosing a planter. If you’ve been hunting online or in stores, you know that the choices are endless and that can be overwhelming. We’ll help you narrow your options to pick the perfect planter for you.
2. Choose smart materials
Planters and pots are made out of many different materials but not all of them are suitable for your location or environment. Clay pots are common but they readily absorb heat, which can cook plant roots. Resin pots and metal planters also get hot in the sun so they don’t work for locations with west or south sun exposure. Glazed clay pots stay a little cooler than plain clay but are heavy at larger sizes. Even heavier, concrete planters keep soil temperatures more moderate, but can crack over time as they expand and contract with hot and cold weather. PolyStone planters—made of high-density polystyrene coated in polyurea and layered with synthetic stucco—hold up to fluctuating temperatures and insulate soil, keeping your plants their healthiest no matter the weather. As an added bonus, they are lightweight enough to move on your own.
3. Express your style
Your home’s architectural style will inform the style of your planters. If you live in a minimalist modern home, an ornate traditional planter will probably look odd at your doorstep. Same goes for a sleek geometric planter at a whimsical cottage. Rules can be broken, of course, but generally it’s good to know the rules before you break them. We’ve included planter style suggestions for common home aesthetics.
Modern: Metal, plain concrete or PolyStone planters would all be at home in a modern setting. Neutral colors like white, black and gray all fit the minimalist aesthetic. Geometric shapes like a perfect cube or perfect cylinder carry clean lines that make this style sing.
Traditional: You can’t go wrong with neutral color planters for a traditional home. Stick with square, circular or tapered containers to let your plants give the wow factor.
Southern: It is common in the American South to see black iron pots that lend an English or French style to a grand home. A less expensive version of this style is available in resin.
Farmhouse: Planters made of wood or galvanized metal, or even baskets can help you achieve a rustic look for your country home.
Pro Tip: It’s easy to fall in love with colorful planters, but the color you really want to shine should be in your planter, not on it. We always recommend neutral planters in white, black, gray, taupe or another equally unimposing color.
4. Go big
Planters always look bigger at the store or online than they will at home. The most common mistake people make is buying a planter that is too small for the space. That creates two problems. First, the planter gets swallowed up by its surroundings and doesn’t make the impact you want. Second, it isn’t big enough to hold all the plants you’re so excited to show off. Avoid this giant bummer by measuring your space carefully and going bigger than you think. Bonus: larger pots don’t dry out as quickly so you won’t be watering as often.
A single large planter isn’t the only way to make a big splash. Pairs and groupings can be impressive, too. Just keep a few guidelines in mind.
Keep groupings to 3 or fewer planters. This will keep things from looking cluttered.
Pairs of identically sized planters are more formal than single pots or groups of three. Try placing them on either side of your door or your garage for a sophisticated look.
With groupings, choose your tallest pot first. The second pot should be half the height of the tallest pot. The third pot should be half as tall as the second pot. This spacing allows for all the plants to shine without crowding each other.
By now, your head is probably full of brilliant ideas about the kind of planters you want and where they can make the most impact in your space. We hope we’ve moved you a few steps closer to making your dream container garden a reality.
At PolyStone Planters, we’re committed to equipping you with lightweight, durable and stunning planters that exceed your expectations. We make container gardening easy, elegant and enduring.