Best outdoor plant pots: stylish, yet functional pots to provide the perfect home for your greenery

Our pick of the best outdoor plant pots will provide your plants, shrubs, or even fruit and veg with a home, and a protective and perfectly styled one at that

The best outdoor plant pots: made.com plant pot in contemporary garden

The best outdoor plant pots don’t just give your favourite house plants, shrubs and trees room to flourish, they’re decorative features in their own right, which is great news. After all, if you’re already decorating your garden with flowers and foliage, why not go one better and find them a stylish home to shine from?

Once you've chosen a favourite plant pot design, check out our sourcebook of garden suppliers for more garden shopping options. Then, for more advice and inspiration, see our garden hub page. 

What is the best outdoor plant pot?

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In our opinion, the best outdoor plant pot currently available comes in the form of the Rowlinson Rectangular Planter & Lattice. With its own, built-in, trellis, this planter allows plants to flourish and could even be used to disguise some ugly fencing.

If you’d rather not (or cannot, in the case of those of us who rent) drill a trellis to a fence or shed, this trellis planter is an excellent, low-maintenance alternative. It makes an attractive home for climbing plants, and is large enough to accommodate deep-rooting varieties with a rustic, self-built look that’ll fit into a range of garden styles.

How to buy the best outdoor plant pot

When it comes to buying the best outdoor plant pots, there are a few factors worth considering, particularly if you're looking to achieve a specific outcome in your outdoor space. These include:

Material

When selecting pots for outdoors, the first thing to think about is the material the pot is made from, as a handsome pot that quickly turns your beautiful plants brown and limp because it doesn’t offer protection from frost and biting winds can have the opposite of the desired effect.

Size

The size of your plant pot will determine the extent to which your greenery grows. If you're looking to keep things on the small size, don't opt for a plant pot that's too much bigger, as the likelihood is that your plant will grow to fit the size of the pot.

The best outdoor plant pots

The best outdoor plant pots: Rowlinson Rectangular Planter & Lattice

1. Rowlinson Rectangular Planter & Lattice

For rambling roses and climbing clematis, give this lattice planter a try

Specifications

Best for: Climbing plants
Material: Timber
Colour: Natural
Suitable for: Outdoors

Reasons to buy

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 Ideal for climbers 

A planter with its very own built in trellis is the definition of horticultural multi-tasking, and this Rowlinson Rectangular Planter & Lattice has the appealing design to back up the functionality, too.

If you’d rather not (or cannot, in the case of those of us who rent) drill a trellis to a fence or shed, this trellis planter is an excellent, low-maintenance alternative. It makes an attractive home for climbing plants, and is large enough to accommodate deep-rooting varieties with a rustic, self-built look that’ll fit into a range of garden styles. 

Shop more pots and planters at Wayfair

The best outdoor plant pots: Aloo Geometric Planters

2. Baloo Geometric Planters

A capable and contemporary choice for discerning trend-led gardeners

Specifications

Best for: Contemporary
Material: Fibrestone
Colour: Grey, teal
Suitable for: Outdoors

Reasons to buy

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 Durable Fibrestone construction 

Their animated namesake might have espoused the benefits of the bare necessities, but these Baloo Geometric Planters are far from basic. With a super on-trend faceted construction and bold, block colours, they look decidedly futuristic; new neutral gunmetal grey creates a non-shouty backdrop against which to place the brightest blooms, while trendy teal creates a brilliant contrast with pinks and oranges.

The material is pretty of-the-moment too, with these plant pots eschewing ceramic in favour of Fibrestone, a lightweight, weatherproof and very strong compound that’s perfect for outdoor planters.

Shop more plant pots and planters at Made.com

The best outdoor plant pots: Cox & Cox Round Rattan Ball Planter

3. Cox & Cox Round Rattan Ball Planter

Bring the outdoors in (or vice versa) with these naturally textured rattan planters

Specifications

Best for: Texture
Material: Rattan, plastic
Colour: Natural
Suitable for: Indoors/outdoors

Reasons to buy

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Unusual spherical shape

Cox & Cox have been coming up trumps with some wonderful options for outdoor living lately, and these Round Rattan Ball Planters are the latest in a long line. In an attractive ball shape, they make an interesting alternative to the usual square-bottomed or cylindrical fare for those looking to make a statement with their shrubbery, and the natural rattan weave adds beautiful texture to rooms or outside spaces.

There’s a discreet waterproof plastic liner pot hiding just inside, low-key enough not to disturb the rustic look of the planter, but capable enough to stop that over-zealous watering leaking through to the hall carpet. 

Buy more planters at Cox & Cox

The best outdoor plant pots: Next Wooden Ladder Planter

4. Next Wooden Ladder Planter

With container gardening reaching new heights, ensure you make the most of vertical space

Specifications

Best for: Container gardeners
Material: Wood
Colour: Natural
Suitable for: Outdoors

Reasons to buy

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Adds capacity without taking up more floor space

Container gardening is huge news for owners of not-so-huge gardens, but all enthusiastic plant-owners run out of room sooner or later. If you constantly find yourself tripping over pots of lovingly divided perennials, why not make the most of the vertical space available to you with a ladder planter like this Next Wooden Ladder Planter.

A gorgeous decorative feature in its own right, even if you’re not starved for space, its attractive slatted shelves provide a home for every pot that doesn’t have one, and you can position it in whatever aspect you need, sunny or shady, to give those little seedlings the best chance. Also makes a great home for garden tools. 

Shop more plant pots at Next

The best outdoor plant pots: VegTrug Medium Classic Raised Planter

5. VegTrug Medium Classic Raised Planter

A stationary veg planter with all the charm of a portable trug

Specifications

Best for: Vegetables
Material: FSC fir
Colour: Grey, natural
Suitable for: Outdoors

Reasons to buy

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 Ventilating and drainage-promoting membrane 

With the look of a classic garden trug, only handleless, this sturdy VegTrug Medium Classic Raised Planter is perfect for vegetables. Don’t have the room for raised beds but always wanted to grow your own? You’re in luck. Growing vegetables in containers is perfectly possible, as this specifically engineered option shows.

It has a purpose-built fitted membrane to ensure your prospective produce has all the ventilation and drainage it needs, and also stands at the ideal height for comfortable tending and harvesting, so it won’t exacerbate sore backs. 

Shop more pots and planters at Robert Dyas

The best outdoor plant pots: Next Elephant Planter

6. Next Elephant Planter

Create an exotic garden feel your guests will never forget

Specifications

Best for: Feature
Material: Resin
Colour: Grey
Suitable for: Outdoors

Reasons to buy

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 Statement shape and size 

Looking to make a real statement with your planting? This Next Elephant Planter should do the trick. Made from resin to give a gorgeously textured volcanic rock-like effect, but in a pared-back dark grey tone, it’s a standout without being outrageously difficult to mix with other pots.

Despite its pumice-like looks, it’s actually made from resin, a material ideal for outdoor planters thanks to its non-porous, non-staining, weatherproof and durable characteristics.  

Buy more pots and planters at Next

Looking for more plant advice and inspiration?

Anna is a professional writer with many years of experience. She has a passion for contemporary home decor and gardening. She covers a range of topics, from practical advice to interior and garden design.