outdoor pots and planters

Common materials for outdoor pots and planters include plastics and polyresin, concrete, ceramic, polypropylene, and terracotta.

Outdoor planters may have no drainage hole, a single drainage hole, or multiple drainage holes. Some wall planters use a bottom reservoir or self-watering design instead of traditional bottom drainage.

Planters range from small (about 6–8 inches) to large (roughly 14.5–20.75 inches in diameter). Several larger pots list soil capacities around 3.7–3.75 gallons, while taller planters will show larger volume or height-based capacities in their product details.

Look for UV-resistant finishes, frost- and UV-resistant ceramic options, and weather-resistant construction such as concrete reinforced with fiberglass or UV-resistant polyresin to help planters withstand outdoor conditions.

If a planter has (or you add) a drainage hole and you use it indoors, place a saucer underneath to catch runoff and protect floors. Saucers are often not included, so choose one sized for the planter.

Self-watering wall planters are typically lightweight, include a bottom reservoir that waters roots from below, and have mounting holes so they can be nailed or screwed to a wall or fence for outdoor or indoor placement.

Most freestanding planters require no assembly and are ready to use out of the box. Wall planters may require basic hanging hardware and installation.

Some double-walled polyresin planters include a marked spot on the base for adding a drainage hole and may specify the drill bit size to use. Other options come with factory-drilled drainage holes already in place.