Large outdoor planter: which size and material to pick?

For a large outdoor planter, choose by three things: size, material and weight. Leave at least a hand's width of space around the plant, pick a material that handles frost and wind, and make sure the pot is heavy enough not to blow over.

How big should a large outdoor planter be?

Start with the plant, not the pot. A shrub or small tree needs room for its roots to grow over the first years, but not so much that the soil stays wet for months. Measure the current root ball and choose a pot that is a hand's width wider all around and also deeper. Our guide on choosing the right pot size explains how to measure diameter and height.

Then look at the spot. Against a facade, a garage door or a wide driveway, a 40 centimetre pot soon disappears. A pot of 60 to 80 centimetres tall gets the effect you want. The further away people stand, the larger the pot can be. The Masr Potten & Vazen collection runs from compact bowls to amphorae of around 120 centimetres tall, so there is a suitable size even for a big space.

Which material suits a large pot outdoors?

A large pot stands in the same place all year and takes everything: rain, sun, frost and wind. The material decides how it copes.

• Terracotta and earthenware are porous. They breathe and moisture evaporates faster, which is good for roots. Not all terracotta is frost resistant, so for outdoor use choose a pot made for it.
• Plastic holds moisture longer and is lighter. That helps if you want to move the pot, but light is a drawback when the wind picks up.
• Handmade mosaic on earthenware pairs a sturdy pot with a finish of hand cut glass tesserae, laid and grouted by hand. It is a lasting decorative piece, not a throwaway item.

For a comparison of clay and plastic over time, read our article on durable plant pots. The differences between terracotta and ceramic also shape how you use the pot outside.

Why do weight and stability matter for a large pot?

A pot of 80 centimetres or more catches a lot of wind, especially with a full plant in it. A heavy pot, filled with soil and properly planted, stands more firmly than a light one. Place it on a flat, hard surface and choose a solid base for tall, narrow shapes.

Weight has a downside too. You will not nudge a full large pot aside. Decide beforehand where it should stand. If you do need to shift it, first read how to move a heavy plant pot safely. At Masr Potten & Vazen we deliver in the Netherlands and Belgium right to the spot where the piece will stand, so you do not have to do the heavy lifting.

How do you keep a large planter intact through winter?

Water that stays in the pot and freezes can crack it. For year round outdoor use, choose a frost resistant pot with a drainage hole and make sure water can escape. Put the pot on pot feet so the hole does not clog. You can read more on what frost resistant means in our article on frost resistant pots. For frost days and forecasts, see the KNMI.

Where do you place a large pot?

A large pot works best with a clear job. As a pair beside the front door it brings calm, as a solo piece in a corner of the terrace it becomes a focal point. Along a driveway, a repeating rhythm of matching pots looks best. We go deeper into that in large pots by the driveway, and for the basics at an entrance see the right pot for an entrance or driveway. Browse the collection of handmade pots and vases to find the size for your spot.

When is custom work worth it for a large pot?

If the size or colour you want is not in the collection, custom work is possible. It can be done in colour, model and size, and businesses can have a logo worked into the mosaic. A custom piece takes six to ten weeks on average from approval to delivery, with progress photos along the way. No two pieces are identical: colour variation and small irregularities are part of handwork. The collection starts from about €135, with larger sizes on request. A no obligation quote brings you a proposal within two working days.