Best Wooden Planters: The Buyer Checklist We Use

We judge wooden planters on six criteria. Here is what separates a long lasting planter from one that rots quickly.

Wood Type

Cedar, redwood, cypress and acacia contain natural oils that resist rot and insects, making them the best choices for outdoor planters. Fir and pine are cheaper but rot faster unless treated or lined. Avoid old style pressure treated wood with unknown chemicals for food crops; modern treatments are considered safer, but untreated rot resistant woods remove any doubt.

Construction and Thickness

Boards at least 3/4 inch thick with screwed or bolted joints last far longer than thin, stapled boards. Corner posts, metal brackets and a solid base keep the box square when filled with heavy, wet soil.

Drainage

Good planters have drainage holes or gaps in the base and are raised slightly on feet so water can escape and air can circulate under the box. A planter sitting flat on a patio stays wet underneath and rots from the bottom up.

Liners

A fabric or plastic liner keeps soil away from the wood, slowing rot and making the planter last years longer. Use breathable landscape fabric or a perforated liner rather than solid plastic, which can trap water.

Size and Style

Long troughs suit herbs and flowers along a railing or wall, barrel styles suit single shrubs or trees and raised boxes on legs suit vegetables at a comfortable height. Measure your space and check the soil depth, at least 8 to 12 inches for most plants.

Finish

Natural oil finishes and water based stains protect wood and are safe around plants; reapply every year or two. Avoid finishes on the inside of food planters unless labeled food safe.

These three meet our criteria for different spaces.

Best Overall

The NatraHedge Hampton Classic wooden planter box, around $154, suits patios, entrances and decks that need a substantial, attractive planter. Measuring about 44 inches long, 15 inches wide and 15 inches high, it holds a row of shrubs, grasses or flowers and has the classic box styling of formal gardens. The limitation is price and weight once filled.

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Best Value

The Yaheetech raised garden bed wooden planter box, around $50, is ideal for vegetables, herbs and flowers on a budget. It assembles easily and suits small gardens and patios. The limitation is softer wood that benefits from a liner and an annual oil finish.

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Best Barrel Set

The VINGLI set of three real wood barrel planters, sized from about 11.5 to 18 inches in diameter, suits porches and patios that want a rustic look with graduated sizes for flowers, herbs or small shrubs. The limitation is that barrel slats can loosen if the planter dries out completely, so keep soil moist.

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• Is it made from cedar, redwood, cypress, acacia or another rot resistant wood?
• Are the boards thick and screwed or bolted together?
• Does it have drainage and feet to lift it off the ground?
• Does it include or accept a liner?
• Is the soil depth enough for your plants?
• Is any finish safe for edible plants?

• Thin, stapled boards that split under soil weight.
• No drainage holes.
• Unknown wood species or vague "solid wood" claims.
• Chemical treatments not suited to food crops.

Line the inside with breathable landscape fabric before adding soil, stapling it above the soil line so water drains through the base. Raise the planter on feet, bricks or pot feet to keep the bottom dry. Apply a natural oil or water based exterior stain to the outside every year or two. In winter, empty small planters or move them under cover in wet climates, and avoid letting barrel planters dry out completely, which shrinks the staves and loosens the hoops.

Choose wood for a natural look, good root insulation and a planter you can repair or refinish. Metal planters, such as galvanized steel, last longer and suit modern styles but heat up in sun and can cook roots in hot climates. Plastic and resin planters are light, cheap and weatherproof but look less premium and can crack with age. Many gardeners mix materials, using wood for prominent displays and plastic for growing and propagation.

• Refresh the soil with compost each season.
• Check screws and brackets yearly and tighten as needed.
• Water early in the morning so wood dries during the day.

These are the questions gardeners ask most about wooden planters.

What is the best wood for planters?

Cedar is the best all round choice, combining rot resistance, light weight and a pleasant scent. Redwood, cypress and acacia also resist rot well. Pine and fir are cheaper but need liners and finishes to last.

Do wooden planters need a liner?

A liner is not required but greatly extends planter life by keeping wet soil off the wood. Use breathable landscape fabric or a perforated plastic liner.

How long do wooden planters last?

Cedar and redwood planters often last 10 years or more with liners and good drainage, while untreated pine may last 3 to 5 years.

Are wooden planters safe for vegetables?

Yes, untreated rot resistant woods such as cedar are safe for vegetables. Avoid older pressure treated lumber and finishes not labeled food safe on interior surfaces.

The three things that matter most are rot resistant wood, solid construction with drainage and a liner to keep soil off the wood. Display gardeners should choose substantial cedar style boxes, budget growers will like affordable raised wooden planters and rustic porches suit barrel sets. Use this guide to choose the best wooden planters, then check the product table above for current prices. For entrance displays, see our best front door planters.