Large Planters

What counts as a large planter here

We size planters by their greatest dimension, whichever is larger of the height and the width across the top. A planter is large when that figure is between 60cm and 99cm, which is the size that stands on the floor and holds a shrub, a small tree or a generous mix of plants. The Size filter across our planters uses the same measure, so a large planter on one page is large on every page. A small tree, a clipped topiary or a tall grass all need that kind of room for their roots.

Sets are sized by the planters they include, so a set whose tallest piece reaches 60cm is listed here.

Floor-standing and raised planters

Some of our large planters stand directly on the floor, with enough height to be seen over lower planting. Others sit in a slim metal stand that lifts the pot off the ground, which brings trailing plants to eye level and keeps the base of the pot clear of standing water. A pair of raised planters either side of a door is one of the simplest ways to frame an entrance. Raised planters also bring a plant closer to the light on a shaded patio or in a room with low windows, and a stand makes it easy to sweep underneath.

Iron, metal and concrete

Metal is the most common material in this range, much of it iron with a painted, etched or textured finish. Metal planters are slim-walled, so they hold more compost than their outside size suggests. Concrete planters are heavier and stay firmly where they are placed, with a weathered, mineral surface that suits stone paving and gravel. Iron planters are sturdy for their size, and their finish is part of the look, from black and grey to brass, so choose the colour and texture with the room or the terrace in mind.

Check the material on each product page, and use the Material filter to compare one against another. A lighter planter is easier to move with the seasons, while a heavier one stays put through a busy summer.

Sets of two or three

Many of our large planters come as a set of two or three in graduated sizes. Grouped together, they give a corner more presence than a single pot, and the smaller pieces can move to a step or a windowsill if you want to spread them out. The product page lists the size of each planter in a set. A set also makes it easy to repeat the same plant at different heights, which looks deliberate even in a small space.

Choosing a planter for its place

Decide where the planter will stand before you choose it. A doorway, a terrace corner or the end of a path each suits a different height and shape. Check the product page for where each planter is designed to go, and allow for the plant as well as the pot: a tall grass or a small tree adds a great deal of height. A tall, narrow planter suits a narrow space such as a doorway, while a wide, low one gives room for a mixed planting.

Planting a large pot

Put a layer of broken crocks or gravel in the base, fill with a compost suited to the plant, and leave a few centimetres below the rim for watering. If a planter has no drainage hole, use it as a cover pot with a plastic pot standing inside, so excess water can be tipped away. Fill a large planter where it will stand, because a big pot of damp compost is heavy to move. Most shrubs and small trees grow happily in a large planter for several years before they need a bigger pot or a place in the ground.

Looking after big planters

Wipe metal planters with a damp cloth, and brush concrete ones down to keep the surface clean. Raising a pot slightly on small feet helps water drain away from the base. Follow any care advice on the product page, which is where you will find guidance on where each planter can stand. Top up the compost each spring and feed the plants through the growing season, because roots in a pot soon use up what the compost holds.