Planter Box Ideas for Patios, Decks, and Small Spaces

The best planter box ideas start with the space you have: long boxes along a deck edge, elevated planters on legs for easy reach, window boxes for railings, and planters with a trellis for privacy. Match the box depth to what you want to grow, give every planter a way to drain, and choose a rot-resistant material like cedar so it lasts for years.

Here are planter box ideas for patios, decks, entryways, and small spaces, plus how deep a planter box should be, what to put in the bottom, and the best plants to grow.

Planter Box Ideas for Patios and Decks

1. Line the Deck Edge

Long planters along a railing soften hard edges and define the space. The 4 ft Cedar Planter Box is about 52 inches long with an adjustable floor, so you can set the soil depth to match your plants.

2. Elevated Planters for No-Bend Gardening

A planter on legs puts the soil at waist height, which is easier on backs and knees and keeps pets out. The 4 ft Elevated Cedar Planter Box with Legs stands 34 inches tall, is wheelchair accessible, and has slatted bottom boards for drainage.

3. Herb Garden by the Kitchen Door

Keep basil, thyme, and parsley within reach of the grill. The Modern Rectangular Cedar Planter Box – 32 in fits a narrow patio edge. See our guide to starting a patio herb garden.

4. Planter Boxes With a Trellis for Privacy

A tall trellis on a planter blocks views and gives vines a place to climb. Read our backyard privacy ideas for more ways to screen a patio.

Planter Box Ideas for Entryways and Small Spaces

5. Matching Planters by the Front Door

Two identical square planters on each side of the door create instant curb appeal. The 2 ft Square Cedar Planter Box is large enough for a small shrub or a seasonal mix of flowers.

6. Small Planters for Steps and Tables

The Small Square Cedar Planter Box – 12 in works on steps, outdoor tables, and balconies. Group three for a layered display.

7. Window Boxes for Railings and Ledges

The Cedar Window Box Planter – 22 in fits window ledges, balcony railings, and porch rails. Fill it with trailing plants like sweet potato vine or petunias that spill over the edge.

Planter Box Ideas for Gardens and Yards

8. A Wishing Well Planter as a Focal Point

A wishing well planter adds charm to a garden bed and can hide a well head, pipe, or utility box. The 5 ft Cedar Wishing Well Planter has a planting tub about 15¾ inches deep, plus a crossbar for a hanging basket.

9. Planters at the Base of an Arbor

Planters at each side of an arbor give vines a place to root, even on pavement. Learn more in what an arbor is.

10. Mix Heights for a Layered Look

Combine a tall planter, a medium box, and a small square planter in one corner. Varying heights makes even a small patio feel designed.

How Deep Should a Planter Box Be?

Depth matters more than width. Use this as a general guide:

For deep-rooted crops, look for a planter with an adjustable or deep interior, like the 2 ft and 4 ft cedar planter boxes, which have up to about 15 inches of interior depth.

Planter Box Drainage and What to Put in the Bottom

• Drainage comes first. Every planter needs a way for water to escape. Slatted floors or drainage holes keep roots from sitting in water.
• Skip the gravel layer. A layer of gravel at the bottom doesn't improve drainage. It raises the wet zone higher in the soil. Fill the box with quality potting mix instead.
• Use landscape fabric, not plastic. A breathable fabric liner keeps soil from washing out between boards and lets water through. Plastic sheeting traps moisture against the wood.
• Raise it slightly. Feet, legs, or small spacers under a box let air flow underneath and help the wood dry out between waterings.
• Reduce fill in deep boxes. In very large planters, setting the floor higher means you buy less soil and the box weighs less.

For watering tips, see our water-smart gardening tips.

Best Plants for Planter Boxes

• Full sun: petunias, geraniums, lavender, rosemary, peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
• Part shade: impatiens, begonias, coleus, ferns, and lettuce.
• Trailing plants: sweet potato vine, creeping Jenny, and calibrachoa.
• Climbers (with a trellis): clematis, mandevilla, sweet peas, and pole beans. See our best climbing plants for a trellis.
• Year-round structure: dwarf boxwood, ornamental grasses, and small evergreens.

A simple design rule: combine one tall "thriller," a few mounding "fillers," and one trailing "spiller" in each box.

Why Cedar Planter Boxes Last

Western red cedar contains natural oils that help it resist rot, moisture, and insects without chemical treatment, so it's a safe choice for growing herbs and vegetables. Learn how to keep it looking new in our guide to whether cedar needs to be sealed. Left unfinished, cedar weathers to silver gray. Seal the outside yearly if you want to keep its warm color.

Browse all planter boxes to find the right size and style for your space.

Planter Box FAQs

How deep should a planter box be for vegetables?

Most vegetables do well in 8 to 12 inches of soil. Tomatoes, peppers, and root crops do best with 12 to 18 inches or more.

What do you put in the bottom of a planter box?

Make sure the box has drainage, then fill it with potting mix. A breathable landscape fabric liner keeps soil from washing out. Skip the gravel layer, because it doesn't improve drainage.

Should you line a wooden planter box?

A breathable landscape fabric liner is a good idea to hold soil in. Avoid solid plastic liners that block drainage and trap moisture against the wood.

What is the best wood for planter boxes?

Western red cedar is a popular choice because it naturally resists rot and insects and doesn't need chemical treatment.

How do I keep a wooden planter from rotting?

Choose a rot-resistant wood like cedar, make sure it drains well, raise it slightly off the ground, and seal the outside of the box as needed.