Best large outdoor plant pots with space to thrive

These large plant pots will survive the seasons and provide the best home for your plants.

best-large-outdoor-plant-pots

by Hannah Mellin |
Updated on

Looking for a large outdoor plant pot? You can't beat a stunning plant pot or planter to help you show off your favourite outdoor plants, shrubs, herbs and even trees, and there are plenty of innovative and beautiful designs to choose from.

That being said, larger plant pots can be tricky to track down and even trickier to manoeuvre around the garden. However, your trees and plants will thank you for some extra room and breathing space, especially plants and shrubs that grow at speed. In our pick of the best outdoor plant pots, we've included planters that can be left outside all year round.

Best large outdoor plant pots at a glance

• Best all-round large plant pot: Large Oak Wood Effect Barrel Plastic Decorative Garden Patio Trough Plant Pot Planter - View on B&Q
• Best large plant pot for jungle plants: Green Glazed Classical Planter - View now on Gardenesque
• Best terracotta large plant pot: Clayton Large Terracotta Plant Pot – View on Gardenesque

We've rounded up the cream of the crop so you can pick the best large plant pot for you. Whether you want one with luxury finishes or a budget pot, we've got you covered. Plus, for a contemporary touch, check out our round-up of the best funky frost-proof outdoor planters.

You'll find those made from plastic, clay and terracotta, and we've even included a few that don't require as much watering due to proper filtration. We've also answered popular questions about planting plants in large pots and the best materials to choose from.

Best large plant pots

Best all-round large plant pot

Large Oak Wood Effect Barrel Plastic Decorative Garden Patio Trough Plant Pot PlanterB&Q

This large oak wood barrel-effect large planter will add a touch of traditional style to any garden this summer and is made of tough and weather-resistant plastic.

Customer review: "I've just bought a second one they are a lovely size to make a good show of plants and also rot free and well made."

Pros

  • Hardy and weather-resistant
  • Has drillable drainage holes

Cons

  • Slightly fake wood barrel effect
Material:Plastic
Dimensions:D37 x H37 cm
Capacity:N/A

Best durable large plant pot

Brockwell PlanterGarden Trading

Made from fibre clay, this plant pot will be able to hold up in any weather condition. It is not only weatherproof but frost and heat-resistant too. Lovely neutral design that will look the part in any garden, whatever your colour theme.

Customer review: "Very pleased with these hard to find well made cylindrical planters. Exactly as shown and described on website. Is a much lighter grey in the sun but darker in the shade."

Pros

  • Weatherproof and hardy
  • Frost-resistant and heat-resistant
  • Different sizes available

Cons

  • Some reviews say the pot is a paler grey in real life
Material:Fibre clay
Capacity:23.5L
Dimensions:33.5cm other sizes available

Best terracotta large plant pot

Clayton Large Terracotta Plant PotGardenesque

Looking like something straight out of an Italian villa, this large terracotta pot will comfortably house large plants and trees. It is frost-proof and will stand the test of time - who doesn't love the look of a weather terracotta pot?

Customer review: "We bought four of the large Tuscan pots to create a taste of Italy on our terrace. Great service, quick delivery, well packaged and they look better in reality than they do in the photographs!"

Pros

  • Classic statement piece
  • Has a drainage hole
  • Frost-proof
  • Different sizes available

Cons

  • Finish may vary slightly
Material:Terracotta
Capacity:N/A
Dimensions:50, 60, 70cm

Best plastic large plant pot

PATCH Reservoir PotPATCH Plants

This clever pot has a built-in reservoir that holds an extra bit of water so your plant won’t dry out. Your plant can suck up the water from the reservoir, but it won’t sit in it, so no danger of flooding the roots. It comes in five different sizes and two colours.

Customer review: "Super smooth and highest quality plant."

Pros

  • Loads of sizes available
  • Made of 100% recycled materials
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor

Cons

  • Plastic so may not be as hardy as others
Material: Plastic
Dimensions:H37 x W40 cm - other sizes available

Best traditional large planter

Temesso Half Barrel Amazon/Temesso

This large planter is made from an original Scottish whisky barrel for an authentic look in your garden at a very good price. The Temesso Half Barrel is naturally weather-resistant and is large enough to accommodate small trees.

Customer review: "Great (half) barrel - really nice to look at and the perfect piece for our garden. With a small pillar and a solar pump on it, it makes for a unique water feature."

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Authentic Scottish whisky barrel wood for a traditional look
  • Leave outside all year round

Cons

  • Bear in mind it's a natural product and will weather over time
Material:Wood
Capacity:90L
Dimensions:Dia.65 x H40cm

Best large planter

Planters are a great choice for larger plants, especially if you want two or more to grow alongside each other. This simple grey pot has drainage holes that allow excess water to drain away after watering and heavy rain, keeping the compost moist but not too wet.

Customer review: "I bought this planter to re-pot my son's roses in his memory garden. It wasn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. I'm delighted with my purchase. It looks stunning. And the roses are thriving."

Pros

  • Great for multiple plants
  • Has drainage holes
  • Weather-resistant
  • Great for growing roses

Cons

  • May be too skinny for trees
Material: Fibre clay
Capacity42L
Dimensions:H30 x W29 x D60 cm

Best large plant pot for growing trees

This extra-large and heavy-duty plant pot is perfect for potting and repotting smaller and medium trees, fruit bushes, vegetables, flowers, and more, thanks to its large 125L capacity. Not to mention, it's a great price too for the size.

Customer review: "Very sturdy, great for small trees."

Pros

  • Large
  • Sturdy and practical
  • Has drainage hole

Cons

  • Not the most stylish
Material:Plastic
Capacity: 125 L
DimensionsH54 x D65 cm

Best large plant pot for jungle plants

Green Glazed Classical Planter Gardenesque

Thanks to the British climate, jungle plants tend to need a lot of care, sun and repotting. Jungle plants tend to thrive in glazed and ceramic pots as they typically like their soil to stay moist. Fitted with a drainage hole to encourage healthy root growth.

Customer review: "I purchased this pot as a gift to my son to place his newly acquired European Palm Tree in. He was very pleased with the colour green and the quality of the pot. Both plant and pot look great on his balcony. Good notification prior to prompt delivery."

Pros

  • Striking design
  • Different sizes available
  • Has a drainage hole
  • Frost-proof and hardwearing for all seasons

Cons

  • The pots are handmade, so sizes may vary slightly
Material:Clay
Capacity:N/A
Dimensions:H23 x W24 cm - other sizes available

Best doorway plant pot

Draycot Planter, Large LimestoneGarden Trading

This light fibre clay plant pot is robust but elegant and will fit in with any garden design. Available in limestone and pebble finished, style with tall plants, slender stems and small trees to accessorise the outdoors. Planters come with drainage holes.

Customer review: "Very pleased with planter. It’s not too heavy, though gives the appearance of stoneware. Looks good, planted with orange cornus by the front door."

Pros

  • Great value
  • Simple yet elegant finish
  • Has drainage holes

Cons

  • May be prone to weather damage and will need to be cleaned as the finish is very light
Material:Fibre clay
Capacity:N/A
Dimensions:H39 x W36 cm

Best square large plant pot

IDEALIST Large Plant PotAmazon/IDEALIST

This contemporary square plant pot is a sturdy fibrestone planter that's lightweight when unfilled so it's easy to position. IDEALIST Large Plant Pots come in a range of colours and textures to suit your garden décor. In addition, choose from a range of sizes and opt for a set of two.

Customer review: "The pot seems well made and much more attractive than plastic alternatives. Not too heavy to site but very sturdy once located. It has a timeless simple look that would fit into any garden or driveway."

Pros

  • Choose from a range of colours and textures
  • Pre-drilled drainage holes for convenience
  • Leave outside all year
  • Lightweight, so easy to position

Cons

  • Corners can get damaged
Material:Fiberstone
Capacity:126L
Dimensions:L50 x W50 x H50.5cm

How we chose the best large outdoor plant pots

All of these large outdoor plant pots have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered size, material and value in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching large outdoor plant pots to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.

Best large outdoor plant pots FAQs

What plants are best for large pots?

Experts say that you should plant rapid-growing plants and shrubs in large containers rather than in small plant pots. Large containers will hold more soil, keeping it moist and cool. Plants in small containers tend to dry out more quickly and you may have to water them more frequently to keep the plants thriving.
Olive trees, conifers, bay trees and palm trees are just a few trees that thrive in a contained space, hence the name 'container garden' - meaning that despite lack of soil and space, you can create a garden just about anywhere.
Trees can live in a container for as long as they are healthy and happy. If you follow proper steps to ensure your tree's health (including watering), it could stay in the same pot for 20 years or more. Not to mention, your trees and plants will be better protected from pests and diseases in a pot compared to the ground.

What outdoor plant pots won't crack in bad weather?

Heavy plastic, stone, iron, lead and fiberglass are the best weather-resistant containers to use. Be careful of terra-cotta, as it will eventually expand and crack with repeated freezing and thawing. Assemble your designs early enough that the plants have time to acclimate to their new pots before really cold weather.

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Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace, tending to her houseplants and chilling in her jungle garden with her sausage dog Waffle.

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