Bored with the pots you use for container gardening? This summer, refresh your landscape and boost your curb appeal with our fun ideas for container gardens.
When I got my first apartment, with just a tiny concrete pad for a patio and not a speck of rich loam in sight, I did what seemed natural and right: I bought myself a big terra cotta pot and planted tomatoes. My living circumstances have since changed – now I’m fortunate enough to have flower beds, shrubs and trees, a vegetable garden, and a compost pile – but I can guarantee you I still have the same terra cotta pot, or some variation of it. That fact speaks to the durability and popularity of the material, as well as the versatile nature of container gardening itself.
A container plus some potting soil and seeds or a plant equals flowers, herbs, veggies, even dwarf trees or shrubs. Container gardening is the ultimate garden leveler for all of us, no matter where we live. Even so, I’ve found myself turning to those terra cotta pots less and less. In place of them, I’ve been using alternative containers that reflect my personality and gardening style, accent the architecture of my home, and complement my yard.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of ideas — we’ve got 50 of them.
But before you start planting away in a new container, consider a few things:
Material: What the container is made of can impact how easy it is to move and how well it holds moisture and encourages plant growth. Some materials such as plastic may fade more quickly than others.
Size: Your containers shouldn’t be as big as your plant is now, but as big as your plant will be once it’s full-grown.
Drainage: This is a big one: Plants that can’t get rid of excess moisture will develop swampy roots and, eventually, stop growing. Some materials – tin, plastic – are easy enough to add drainage holes to using an ordinary drill bit or a hammer and a nail. Others – ceramic, for example – may require a specialized drill bit to add small holes. So as you scour yard sales and big box stores, your garage and your favorite flea market, keep your eyes out for these plant-friendly container garden alternatives.
50 Ideas for Container Gardens
1. Terra cotta: Yes, there’s much more to the world of containers than terra cotta—but those classic clay pots are also remarkably adaptable. Try an aged glaze, a brightly colored gloss paint, or a decorative treatment.
2. Concrete: Bold and beefy or intricately scrolled, concrete containers have become popular, but can be difficult to move. Best bet: Buy one, plant it, and leave it stationary. Bonus: In cold climates it will withstand freezing.
3. Resin: Resin or plastic containers made specifically for gardening mimic the look of other materials – say concrete – without the expensive price tag.
4. Wire basket: Old wire baskets have built-in drainage but no lining. The solution: Use cocoa mats (buy them by the yard and cut down to size).
