Outdoor Planters – Choosing a Material

Introducing plant life to your outdoor space is one of the easiest ways to enhance it. Plants just seem to breathe new life into wherever they’re placed, creating a lush, vibrant atmosphere that can transform the dullest of conditions. But it’s important to know what you’re getting when your purchase a planter, especially with the material. Certain ones are more durable and certain ones work better in different weather conditions. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular planter materials.

Plastic/Resin – Plastic and resin planters remain some of the most popular on the market, due to their affordability, durability, and light weight. Whether put indoors or out, they work in any living space. And since they’re so light, it’s easy to rearrange your planters whenever you want a different look.

And even if plastic wasn’t the look you wanted, you can find many with faux stone or terracotta finishes that look just as good as the real thing. What you have to watch for here is the weather, as extreme cold can cause plastic planters to crack, though this is easily remedied by bringing them inside for the winter.

Wood – Most commonly found with box style planters, wood has remained a reliable material of choice over the years. They’re extremely durable and can hold up well in all sorts of weather conditions, even doing well in the cold unlike plastic.

Wood also provides more insulation for plants, keeping them warmer. But make sure you get a quality wood in your planter, like cedar. A lesser wood, like pine, will be more susceptible to rotting due to moisture in the soil, and you don’t want your lovely wood planter falling apart on the patio!

Stone – Nothing looks as good as stone when it comes to outdoor accessories. It brings a very natural feel to the outdoor space, adding character with its aged look. A stone planter is a great choice in windy climates when you need something sturdy that’s not going to tip over.

The one downside with them is that they can be very heavy, anywhere from 50 to a few hundred pounds. This means that they won’t be as easy to move as other materials, but that’s not always a bad thing.

Terracotta – Traditional in look and choice, a terracotta planter has been a staple of planting for ages. While not as heavy as stone, it is still a fairly weighty material, so it’s good at staying in place and not tipping over.

Terracotta tends to be more porous than other materials, so make sure your plants get plenty of water. If you live in a cooler part of the country, they’re best for indoor use. Freezing temperatures can cause the soil inside to contract and expand, leading to cracks in the planter and nobody wants that.

Next time you’re shopping for planters, keep these tips in mind. They’ll help you find the perfect planter material in no time!

Marissa Alan is a writer with OutdoorLiving.com/learning-center/ and loves to work outside in her planter garden. For more on outdoor items like bird bath fountains, garden planters, window boxes, and propane fire pits, visit OutdoorLiving.com.