“It’s helpful to always consider what the intended usage is for the pot,” says Stephanie Horton, the professional plant consultant behind Instagram account @botanicalblackgirl. For example, potted vegetables require closer attention to space and depth, while ornamental plants will allow you to “lean more on the aesthetics and style of your pot.” With Horton’s advice and hours of research, we set out to find the best outdoor plant pots money can buy, with a focus on materials, size, usage, and durability. Keep scrolling to learn what makes these picks stand out.
Our Top Picks
La Jolíe Muse Tuileries Planter Classic Home and Garden Store Rosie Planter Anthropologie Gladia Planter Pottery Barn Concrete Fluted Planter Union Rustic Alidis 2-Piece Terracotta Pot Set Opalhouse Textured Ceramic Planter Ecopots Hanging Pot Veradek Metallic Long Box Planter Foundry Select Carreras Self-Watering Pot Planter Tosnail 2-Pack Metal Planter Baskets with Coco Liner Bergs Palace Pot + Saucer
Who it’s not for: Those who prefer heavier statuesque pots made of cement or stone This cylindrical planter may look luxe, but it’s actually made of powder-coated plastic that’s weather-resistant, easy to clean, and even recyclable. Four raised drainage holes make it especially practical for outdoor use, which explains why it’s beloved by thousands. The best thing about this La Jolíe pot is that it can easily be lifted and transported, unlike pots made of stone or metal. If you like to rearrange your plants, this is the right pick for you. It’s also a stylish choice and can easily complement any decor aesthetic. While it’s built to withstand outdoor weather conditions, it can be relocated indoors with the addition of a simple saucer—just in case your new plant prefers to live inside. Product Details:
Material: Plastic and stone powderDimensions: 8.6 x 8.6 x 6.7 inches or 14.2 x 14.2 x 10.6 inchesWeight: 1.45 or 3.04 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $20 Who it’s not for: Someone whose outdoor decor is more modern. This resin pot with a copper-inspired finish achieves the look of weathered copper without the money (or time) required of the real deal. Two other standout features that make this pot so popular are its UV-resistant coating (which prevents color fade) and attached drainage saucer. It’s also very affordable, especially for the size, so you can easily grab a few to complete your whole garden. Product Details:
Material: ResinDimensions: 10 x 10 x 5 inchesWeight: 1 pound
Price at time of publish: $16 Who it’s not for: People looking for larger pots. Perfect for a boho-inspired garden, this carved cement pot features charming organic decorative motifs with handcrafted appeal. Equipped with a drainage hole and a tray to fit underneath, this planter protects your plant’s roots (as well as your furniture). Also, as a general rule, cement containers handle all four seasons well, unlike terracotta and ceramic pots that can crack in freezing temps. Choose from three colors: blue, gray, and a cheerful honey hue. Product Details:
Material: CementDimensions: 5 x 5 x 4.5 inches Weight: Not listed
Price at time of publish: $24 RELATED: The 8 Best Plants Stands for Every Type of Plant Collection Who it’s not for: Those who prefer bright or decorative pots. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more practical planter than this popular option from Pottery Barn. Made of weather-resistant concrete and featuring a sophisticated fluted design, this planter is available in five colors and 10 sizes and shapes. Because of the range of options, it’s easy to create a cohesive look in your garden—group several different sizes together, or scatter a few of the same color around your space. Product Details:
Material: CementDimensions: 10 sizes ranging from 7 x 7 x 7 inches to 20 x 20 x 20 inchesWeight: 3.5-57 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $35 Who it’s not for: People who want pots that can withstand winter extremes. These stunning planters have a short and wide design that makes them look more like art than utilitarian homewares. These planters were fired in temperatures above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and as a result, they’re practically impervious to environmental stressors (other than winter frosts). Plus, the porosity of terracotta and the drainage holes will prevent excess moisture buildup and help protect your plant from overwatering. Product Details:
Material: TerracottaDimensions: 13 x 13 x 4.75 inches; 17 x 17 x 6 inchesWeight: 29 pounds (combined)
Price at time of publish: $170 Who it’s not for: Those who prefer bright pots or classic vessels. This textured ceramic piece packs handcrafted appeal. Available in three sizes, you can effortlessly mix and match a few of them to create visual interest without sacrificing stylistic cohesion. But this pot has more to offer than looks—the peekaboo earthenware base hides a useful drainage hole to help protect your plant’s roots. With prices starting on the low end, you really can’t go wrong. Product Details:
Material: StonewareDimensions 6 x 6 x 6 inches; 12 x 12 x 10 inches; 16.25 x 16.25 x 14 inchesWeight: 2, 7 or 20 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $15 RELATED: The 9 Best Raised Garden Beds of 2023 Who it’s not for: Those who don’t have space to hang a planter. The Ecopots Hanging Pot gives the traditional hanging pot a contemporary shape, turning the familiar tapered vessel into a minimal bowl that works both indoors and out. Made from 80 percent recycled plastic, this is a lightweight planter that is also waterproof, UV-proof, and frost-resistant to handle the elements. It also comes with a removable drainage plug—use it for outdoor plants, but take it out if you decide to hang it indoors. Product Details:
Material: PlasticDimensions: 12. 9 x 12.9 x 6.5 inchesWeight: 5 pounds
Price at time of publish: $60 Who it’s for: Those who want to protect their plants from temperature extremes. Who it’s not for: Those with a more traditional aesthetic. If you’re willing to spend a little extra, this rust-resistant box planter will make caring for outdoor plants easier than ever. The thick steel base can withstand extreme heat and cold, while the interior contains drainage holes and a layer of styrofoam insulation to protect soil from sudden changes in temperature. A furniture-quality finish helps this handsome planter withstand scratches and cracks, so while it’s a bit pricier than other options it is a good investment. Product Details:
Material: Galvanized steelDimensions: 5 sizes ranging from 25 x 11 x 13 inches to 60 x 15 x 16.25 inchesWeight: 12-70 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $120 Who it’s not for: Those who prefer decorative or architectural planters. No one said practical, utilitarian pots must be plain or ugly, yet few self-watering planters escape this fate. One obvious exception is the Carreras Self-Watering Planter Collection. Available in taupe, mint, and black, each pot features handsome horizontal ribs and pretty marbling. Constructed with Artstone (a recycled blend of natural stone and high-grade resin), these pots are frost and UV-resistant, making them outdoor-compatible all year long. So how does it work? Inside each pot is an aeration screen that sits roughly two inches from the bottom of the planter. When you water your plants, the water runs down into the 2-inch reservoir beneath the screen, allowing the roots of your plants to dip down for a drink when they decide they’re thirsty. (Still don’t feel confident? Don’t worry. There’s also an overflow drainage tube.) Product Details:
Material: ResinDimensions: 5 sizes ranging from 6.25 x 6.25 x 6 inches to 14.75 x 14.75 x 13.25 inchesWeight: 1-5 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $23 RELATED: The 7 Best Garden Hoses, Tested in Our Lab Who it’s not for: Those who prefer low maintenance planters. Looking to create more vertical visual interest on your patio or balcony? Enter the wall planter basket. This type of planter is not just charming—it’s also uber functional. The coco fiber liners encourage plants to absorb water gradually by holding the excess water. They also provide effective drainage, and they’re porous enough to aerate soil and keep roots healthy. However, buyers should note that the manufacturer recommends adding a thin fabric or plastic liner (with holes) inside the fiber liner in order to minimize soil loss and water leakage. Product Details:
Material: Metal and coco fiberDimensions: 9.8 x 4.3 x 11 inchesWeight: 0.93 pounds (combined)
Price at time of publish: $14 Who it’s not for: Those with highly manicured gardens. If you’re vying for secret garden vibes, this cast stone planter will do the trick. This planter exudes enigmatic charm, appearing to have weathered significant time in an abandoned garden where climbing roses have reclaimed their territory. Each piece is made with a high-density cast stone mix and finished with a unique patina applied by skilled artisans to give it the appearance of time-weathered charm. (Despite appearing to have weathered decades untouched, this piece does need to be brought inside in winter to protect it from frost damage.) Product Details:
Material: ConcreteDimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 7 inches; 16 x 16 x 10 inches; 22 x 22 x 14 inchesWeight: 20-40 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $140 Who it’s not for: Those who gravitate to bright or graphic pots. Both manicured and cottage-style gardens can benefit from the beauty of Danish design exemplified by Bergs. This collection of planters comes hand-crafted from the highest quality Italian Galestro terracotta clay in three colors: rose, sand, and gray. Because of its porosity, the terracotta will only acquire more character as it ages. (Of course, those who like a more manicured, untouched look can rely on vinegar to maintain a spotless finish.) This collection of pots includes drainage holes for optimal plant health as well as drainage saucers, which will come in handy should you decide to move your plant indoors. These pots are high-fired to mitigate frost damage, but winter storage is still recommended for product longevity. Product Details:
Material: TerracottaDimensions: 5 sizes ranging from 5.25 x 4 x 4.25 inches to 15 x 10 x 10.5 inchesWeight: Not listed
Price at time of publish: From $26 Who it’s for: Those looking to pot larger plants or small trees/palms. Who it’s not for: People with small plants or limited space. This roomy pot is perfect for small palms, fiddle leaf figs, ficus trees, and pineapple plants. The bell-shaped pot creates the illusion of rustic stone with a high-density resin that’s made to withstand the elements. Another positive thing about resin pots? They’re lightweight, something you’ll be thankful for if you ever need to re-arrange or transport heftier plants. This particular pot doesn’t come with drainage holes, but adding your own is a breeze. Product Details:
Material: ResinDimensions: 15 x 15 x 12.5 inchesWeight: 1 pound
Price at time of publish: $23 Who it’s not for: People who want heavier planters. For gardeners with limited space for in-ground gardening or raised beds, a Smart Pot Fabric Planter is an excellent alternative. Most vegetables require soil depths of at least 12 inches, and this roomy 20-gallon container offers a generous 15.5 inches to accommodate most veggie roots. This breathable fabric pot also promotes plant health by preventing roots from becoming root-bound and waterlogged. Those living in urban or tight spaces will also appreciate that these bags can be washed and stored away at the end of the growing season. Product Details:
Material: FabricDimensions: 20 x 20 x 15.5 inchesWeight: 0.5 pounds
Price at time of publish: $24 If you plan to leave your pots out year-round, then a more durable material like high-grade resin is less likely to crack in cold conditions. If you tend to rearrange your pots frequently, resin is also a lighter and more maneuverable option. Many resin pots are made to mirror their copper and stone counterparts, so you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetic preferences for durability and maneuverability. Veggie-growers who don’t want to go the raised bed route might opt for fabric planters that can be stowed away when the growing season ends. When it comes to materials, Horton is a fan of the classics, but she’s quick to note that many lightweight alternatives are just as visually pleasing and functional. “Terracotta is a staple both indoor and outdoor for me because it’s porous, which comes in handy when I mistakenly overwater,” she explains. “However, I’m fairly indecisive and often want the ability to move things around. Heavy terracotta or ceramics can make it difficult to achieve that.” If mobility is a priority, she recommends opting for high-density plastic pots that mimic the appearance of stone, ceramic, and concrete.
Type
When thinking of outdoor planters, most people envision the classic pot that lies somewhere between a cone and a cylinder. But there are also pots that allow you to capitalize on vertical space, such as hanging pots and wall planters. These options are perfect for top-heavy plants and trailing plants alike. (Think Begonia, Fuchsia, Creeping Jenny, and English Ivy.) These can help draw the eyes upward, creating a greater sense of height, and they can also be used to create a sort of organic privacy screen to protect you from the sight of nosy neighbors. “Just be sure that whatever you hang is stable,” says Horton. “There’s nothing worse than relaxing at home, eyes closed, perhaps a beverage in hand…then—BOOM! CRASH!” To avert such crises, take extra time to determine the most secure hanging method possible. “Think of the total weight of your pot, hanger, and plant when watered to give you an idea of what type of hanging apparatus to use for your plant.”
Size
The size of your pot really comes down to “intended usage,” says Horton. “Are you interested in container gardening, or is this strictly ornamental? We can then determine how much wiggle room we have (or don’t have) as it pertains to size.” Vegetables—especially root veggies—require much more depth for their roots. Gardeners recommend at least 12 inches for most veggies and at least 15 inches for root veggies. Flowers and herbs don’t require nearly as much depth, and some common house plants even prefer smaller pots and snug roots: pothos, philodendron, snake plants, and succulents are happier being rootbound, for example.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Leslie Joblin, who is herself a gardener living in hardiness zone 7b and a writer with two years of experience writing lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in The Spruce, MyDomaine, and Brides. To complete this roundup, she dove deep into the research and reviews on the top-rated outdoor planters and solicited advice from Stephanie Horton, professional plant consultant behind Instagram account @botanicalblackgirl.
