Wood planters & planter boxes add natural charm
It is hard to beat the natural beauty of wood planters, whether it’s on a small condo balcony or expansive patio. A well-chosen planter in long-lasting teak or durable cedar will enhance any garden decor—no matter how contemporary or sophisticated. Gone are the days of having only oak half-barrels or rough cedar boxes to chose from.
Teak planters are elegant and rich-looking, and are generally long-lasting too. Redwood cedar is commonly used for contemporary gardens because of its durability and natural resistance to rotting.
Painted wood planters can be a great way to complement the exterior of your home and create a unified garden design. Avoid stains and sealers on your planters as these are usually toxic to plants.
Plastic liners can extend the life of your wooden planters and planter boxes, or use them as ‘cache pots’ to hold potted plants and they will last longer. Another big advantage of wooden planters is that you ca combine features like trellises and benches for an attractive and functional unit.
How to Maintain Wooden Planters
- Treat wooden planters with non-toxic stain, paint or waterproofing agent.
- Line inside of planters that are susceptible to rot with black plastic (with holes in bottom for drainage).
- Reinforce joints of wood planters with extra rust-proof nails.
Characteristics of Wood Planters
Benefits:
- are available in a variety of woods and colors: cedar, redwood, teak, cypress
- provide great versatility for combining with other garden components such as seating, trellises or storage
- redwood and cedar planters can be used without painting as they are resistant to rot
- wood planters insulate plant roots from heat of the summer sun
- wooden planters fall between plastic and clay in weight and porosity
- for a longer life, line planters with plastic or set already potted plants inside
Considerations:
- unpainted, unlined wooden planters will rot over time
- pests often like to take up residence in planters made of wood, watch for carpenter ants and sow bugs
