Cedar Planters

A cedar planter can be a simple pair of boxes by the front door or a full seating corner on the deck. The right choice depends on how much floor you have, how high you want your plants, and whether you also want somewhere to sit. This page walks through the main styles so you can match one to your space.

Planter and bench combos

These sets pair cube planter boxes with a bench, so you plant flowers and then sit down beside them. They suit a patio or deck where you want greenery and a place for a break in one footprint. The two-planter, one-bench sets fit a smaller seating nook. The three-planter, two-bench sets stretch along a longer wall or railing.

The 16 inch cube versions are the lighter-scale option for tighter patios. The 24 inch versions give your plants more room and look more substantial.

If you have room for the bigger arrangement, the three-planter sets give you a bench on each side of the middle planter. That suits a long deck edge or a wide patio wall.

Square white cedar planter boxes

Square boxes are the easy all-rounder. They sit flat on the ground, pair up on either side of a door, and work along the edge of a patio. They come in sets of two, so symmetry is built in. The retailer describes the white cedar as having natural decay resistance, which is a good trait for something that lives outdoors.

Choose the 16 inch size for steps, porches and small entryways. Go to 24 inch when you want fuller plantings or a stronger presence on a larger patio.

Planters with legs

Legs lift the box off the ground, so you plant and tend at a more comfortable height. That helps if you grow herbs or vegetables and would rather not bend. The 36 inch set is also a wider box, so it suits a deck or patio with space along a wall. The retailer ties this style to container gardening, for people who want to grow their own food in limited space.

Long red cedar planter

This 48 by 24 inch box is a single long planter, made in red cedar. It was developed for use with the retailer's Skyscraper Garden Trellis, but it works on its own too. Drainage holes are part of the build. It suits a long wall, a fence line or a spot where you want one big planting instead of several small ones.

Cedar planter tubs

Tubs have a rounder, rustic look. They are made of white cedar and sold in sets of two. They suit porches, patios and garden corners where you want a softer shape than a square box. One set is painted blue for a cottage feel. The other shows the natural wood.

How to choose

• Measure first. Mark the footprint on the ground with tape. Leave room to walk past and to open doors.
• Pick a size for the plants. 16 inch boxes suit small displays. 24 inch boxes and the long 48 by 24 inch box give roots and plantings more space.
• Decide on seating. If you want to sit, a bench combo saves you buying separate furniture.
• Think about height. Legs raise the box. Flat-bottomed boxes sit low and look more grounded.
• Check the finish. Natural wood or painted blue changes the mood of the whole space.
• Look at the details. Drainage holes, wood type and set size are all in the product descriptions. Read them before you buy.

Questions people ask

Do I need a bench set if I only want plants?

No. The plain boxes, tubs and legged planters are all sold without benches. Choose a combo only if you want seating too.

What is the difference between white and red cedar here?

The listings use both. The white cedar planters are described as decay resistant. The long planter is red cedar. Pick on size and shape first, then on the look of the wood.

Can I use the long planter without a trellis?

Yes. The retailer says it was made for use with a trellis but can be used on its own without any problems.

Which size suits an entryway?

A pair of 16 inch boxes or a set of tubs usually fits a narrow porch. Measure the width of your door area first, then choose.