Outdoor Planters

The Best Modern Outdoor Planters for Your Front Porch or Patio Area

Modern outdoor planters overflowing with vibrant foliage create a welcoming glow to your home, whether you're working with a spacious backyard or sunny balcony in the city. From container gardening enthusiasts to organically-inspired decorators, there is a modern patio planter waiting to call your outdoor living space home.

Types of Outdoor Planters

When shopping for the best plant pot, materials matter. You'll want a garden container that's both sturdy enough to withstand the elements and provides the right drainage for healthy flora, while also complementing your outdoor furniture in a way that's pleasing to the eye. Whether you're in the market for flower pots, raised garden beds, hanging baskets or planter bowls, we've got the right home for all your greenery.

• Cement and Concrete Planters: Durable and protective against frost, concrete planters give off a clean, effortlessly modern vibe making them all the rage this season.
• Galvanized Metal and Aluminum Planters: Metal planters are a stunning yet unique outdoor planter choice. Known for their strength, they are able to withstand strong winds common in a late-afternoon summer storm. Just be sure to keep your metal planters in the shade to prevent delicate plant roots from overheating.
• Stone and Clay Planters: Breathable and beautiful natural stone and terracotta clay planters have been around for thousands of years. These porous materials promote airflow and keep roots healthy, making them a perfect choice for modern outdoor container gardening.
• Glazed Ceramic Planters: Though they are a popular choice for indoor plants, decorative ceramic planters are a good outdoor planter option because they promote airflow and are waterproof when glazed.

How to Choose Outdoor Planters

Define Your Aesthetic

When using garden planters to accessorize your rooftop, balcony, or other outdoor space, first define your aesthetic. Do you want contemporary planters to take center stage or blend into the background behind the blooms they hold? If you want your planters to make a statement, choose a bold color or unexpected shape, such as a geometric plant pot. White-washed stone and muted concrete planters, on the other hand, let the plants do the talking. Maybe you haven't decided on the contents of the garden container—that's okay. Let your environment provide design direction; if an urban setting is your vibe, dark, industrial galvanized planters with sharp angles are cohesive with cityscapes. Looking for something more organic? Go with white ceramic planters or rounded stone.

Determine Size and Space

Scale is key when shopping for outdoor planters. Your outdoor vases should complement your space, not overwhelm it. Tall outdoor planters are a great accessory to grand entrances and spacious terraces, while hanging pots and patio planters affixed to balcony rails are a great option for small-space living. Add dimension by layering large outdoor planters with small planters and tall with short when space isn't a constraint.

Pick a Shape

Cultivate different moods by opting for plant pots in playful shapes. When choosing outdoor containers, consider the message you want your space to convey. Round planters are associated with lightness, grace and warmth. Rectangular outdoor planters, meanwhile, represent order, stability and groundedness with their straight, clean lines. Want to go a little wild? Foster excitement with unexpected asymmetrical planters.

Consider Drainage

Your plants are only as good as your planters where drainage is involved. To keep your plants healthy, find patio planters with good drainage. If you buy a planter without a drainage hole, make sure to add gravel to the bottom to keep roots out of excess water.

Styling Your Space With Modern Outdoor Planters

In the spring and summer months, outdoor planters are the jewelry of the home. Potted botanicals create a natural backdrop for relaxing while serving as a great introduction to hobby gardening for those looking to cultivate a green thumb. Place large outdoor flower pots on the porch to frame your front door and big planters that double as herb gardens around your backyard terrace, capitalizing on both their beauty and function.

Once your flora is settled in its new home, turn your attention to outfitting the rest of the space. Browse our best outdoor furniture, including outdoor sectionals and lounge chairs, so you can kick back and enjoy the organic view. Layer vibrant outdoor rugs and rattan outdoor furniture with Birds of Paradise and Hibiscus in white planters for a tropical vibe. If sleek urban is more your style, pair industrial metal outdoor furniture with black planters to make your plants the star of the show.