Looking for big outdoor planters without spending big money? You’re in the right place. This article shows you 10 budget-friendly large planters that will make your garden look amazing.
We know how hard it can be to find good-looking, large planters that don’t cost a fortune. After years of testing products and talking with home gardeners, we’ve put together this list of affordable options that last.
Our team has personally checked each planter for durability in all weather, value for money, visual impact, and size and capacity.
These planters work great for flowers, small trees, or vegetable gardens. Some cost less than $30 but look much more expensive.
Let’s help you transform your outdoor space with these budget-friendly finds that your neighbors will notice.
Why Choose Inexpensive Large Outdoor Planters?
Big planters make a big difference without needing a big budget. Large containers catch the eye and make your home look better right away.
Your plants will thank you, too. More soil means healthier roots and stronger growth. You can create mini garden scenes with trees, flowers, and trailing plants all in one spot.
Here’s what most people don’t know: Modern affordable planters look almost identical to expensive ones. Today’s materials mimic stone, ceramic, and metal at a fraction of the cost.
These budget options are often lighter, more durable in bad weather, and much easier on your wallet. This means you can buy several for the price of one high-end planter.
What matters is the overall look of your garden, and these affordable large planters will make it shine.
What to Look for in Large Outdoor Planters?
Materials: Resin and plastic win for budget and weight. Fiberglass looks sleeker but costs more. Stone composites give that luxury feel without breaking the bank.
Drainage is vital. No holes means dead plants. Fix this by drilling holes, adding rocks, or using a pot-in-pot method.
Size matters for roots. Match your planter to your plant type. Small trees need at least 24 inches of space. Always plan for growth.
Consider weight. Will you move the planter? I’ve regretted heavy concrete planters that now need two people to shift. Choose lighter options for spaces where you might rearrange.
The perfect planter combines good looks, plant health, and practicality.
Top 10 Inexpensive Large Outdoor Planters
I’ve tested dozens of planters over the years. These 10 options give you the most bang for your buck. Each one looks great and won’t empty your wallet.
1. Tall Resin Tapered Planters
Price: ~$40-$60
These slim, tall planters make a statement at your front door or patio corners. I have two flanking my entryway, and they catch everyone’s eye.
Where to find them: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart garden section, or Amazon
Planting ideas:
- For sunny spots: Try a small Alberta spruce as a centerpiece with purple calibrachoa spilling over the edges. The contrast in textures looks amazing.
- For shade: A tall snake plant surrounded by white-striped spider plants creates a striking pattern with almost no maintenance.
- For year-round interest: Plant dwarf evergreen grasses that stay green in winter, then add seasonal color with tulip bulbs in spring or mums in fall.
2. Large Plastic Whiskey Barrel Planter
Price: Around $30-$50
Want a country feel? These barrel planters add instant charm. They’re perfect for flowers or small shrubs.
The textured finish makes them look like real wood barrels. But unlike wood, they won’t rot or fall apart after a few seasons.
Where to find them: Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware, Walmart, Amazon, local garden centers
Planting ideas:
- Cottage garden mix: I combine purple salvia (center), white sweet alyssum (middle layer), and trailing lobelia (edges). This creates waves of color from spring through fall.
- Edible arrangement: Plant a blueberry bush in the center with strawberries around the edges. You’ll get months of berries and nice fall color.
- Four-season display: Start with an evergreen juniper, add spring bulbs, summer annuals, and finish with ornamental kale for winter.
3. Fiberglass Bowl Planter
Price: ~$55-$70
These are my secret weapons for instant style. Low, wide bowl planters create a modern look that works with any garden style.
Made from fiberglass, they’re much lighter than they look. I can move mine around with one hand when needed.
Where to find them: Wayfair, Pottery Barn (look for sales), West Elm, specialty garden centers
Planting ideas:
- Desert landscape: Create a mini desert with 3-5 different succulents, small cacti, and decorative rocks. It barely needs water and looks striking year-round.
- Tropical statement: A short, broad palm surrounded by colorful crotons and trailing sweet potato vine makes a bold display for summer.
- Modern minimalist: Just three plants-Japanese forest grass, black mondo grass, and a small Japanese maple-create a stunning texture play with minimal care.
4. Concrete-Style Composite Square Planter
Price: Under $70
Want the solid look of concrete without the weight? These planters solve that problem.
The trick: They use lightweight materials with concrete coating. Your neighbors will think you spent hundreds.
Where to find them: Target, CB2 (look for clearance items), Amazon, Walmart
Planting ideas:
- Clean and modern: A single dwarf ornamental grass like blue fescue centered in the planter creates a sculptural look perfect for modern homes.
- Seasonal color blocks: Plant solid blocks of one flower type-all red geraniums or all white petunias. The simple geometry works perfectly with the square shape.
- Kitchen garden: Fill with herbs like basil, thyme, and chives. The square shape fits neatly against walls or on patios, and the neutral color makes herbs stand out.
5. Rolling Raised Planter Box with Wheels
Price: ~$65-$80
These smart planters have wheels hidden underneath. This means you can follow the sun or shade as needed.
Great for:
- Moving to shelter during storms
- Changing your patio layout
- People who can’t lift heavy items
Where to find them: Home Depot, Gardener’s Supply Company, Amazon, Wayfair
Planting ideas:
- Living privacy screen: I planted tall ornamental grasses with burgundy fountain grass at the corners. Now I can roll it wherever I need privacy.
- Salad bar garden: Grow different lettuces, spinach, and arugula together. Roll it to perfect light conditions as seasons change, and harvest fresh salads for months.
- Cut flower garden: Zinnias, cosmos, and snapdragons give you endless bouquets. The wheels let you move it out of sight when the plants look spent.
6. Self-Watering Large Planters
Price: ~$50 range
Forget watering every day. These clever planters have a water reservoir at the bottom.
Plants drink what they need through a wicking system. This helps even if you forget to water for a week.
Where to find them: Gardener’s Supply Company, Amazon, Lowe’s, specialized garden stores
Planting ideas:
- Thirsty plants made easy: Grow water-loving impatiens, ferns, and begonias that would normally dry out quickly. The consistent moisture keeps them thriving.
- Vegetable success: I grow cherry tomatoes and basil together in these. The steady water supply prevents blossom end rot and makes care almost hands-free.
- Shade garden: Combine coleus, caladium, and ivy for a colorful shade display that won’t wilt even in hot weather thanks to the water reserve.
7. Decorative Plastic Urn Planters
Price: $25-$40
Classical style doesn’t have to cost a fortune. These urn-shaped planters look like something from a fancy garden.
The plastic material holds up better than you’d think. I’ve had mine for five years with no cracks or color fading.
Where to find them: Home Depot, At Home, Lowe’s, Amazon, Walmart
Planting ideas:
- Traditional elegance: A boxwood ball or small spruce centered in the urn gives that timeless European garden look. Add red geraniums around the base for color.
- Seasonal spruce-up: I change mine with the seasons-spring tulips and daffodils, summer petunias, fall mums, and winter evergreen branches with red berries.
- Dramatic single specimen: One large, showy plant like a canna lily or elephant ear fills the urn and creates a bold focal point.
8. Rectangular Faux-Wood Planter Box
Price: Under $60
Long boxes give you space for multiple plants in one container. The faux-wood finish looks real but won’t rot.
Perfect for creating privacy screens with tall plants or growing an herb garden right outside your kitchen.
Where to find them: Lowe’s, Home Depot, Amazon, Target seasonal section
Planting ideas:
- Complete herb garden: I divided mine into sections with basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint. Each herb stays in its own space, and I can harvest all season.
- Pollinator paradise: Plant zinnias, cosmos, and black-eyed Susans to attract butterflies and bees. The long shape gives you room for many flowers.
- Mini vegetable row: Plant a row of leaf lettuce, radishes, and bush beans. The rectangular shape mimics a garden row but fits on a patio.
9. Large Terra Cotta Style Resin Pots
Price: ~$35-$50
Love the classic terra cotta look but hate how it chips and breaks? These resin versions solve that problem.
They’re much lighter than real clay and don’t crack in freezing weather. The color stays true year after year.
Where to find them: Michaels (often on sale), Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, local garden centers
Planting ideas:
- Mediterranean mood: I filled mine with lavender, sage, and rosemary. The plants look perfect with the terra cotta color, and the herbs smell amazing when brushed.
- Drought-resistant beauty: Combined Russian sage, sedum, and yarrow for a purple-pink display that handles heat with no extra watering.
- Classic container trio: Place three pots in graduating sizes together. Plant the large one with a dwarf evergreen, the medium with flowers, and the small with trailing vines.
10. Stackable Tiered Garden Planter
Price: ~$30-$45
Short on space? Go up! These stack vertically to create a tower of plants.
You can grow flowers, herbs, or strawberries in a tiny footprint. Each level has its own growing space.
Where to find them: Amazon, Walmart, garden supply stores, Home Depot seasonal section
Planting ideas:
- Strawberry tower: Fill every pocket with strawberry plants for a big harvest from a small footprint. The tiered design keeps berries off the ground and away from slugs.
- Herb spiral: Put sun-lovers like basil and oregano on top, thyme and sage in the middle, and mint and parsley at the bottom. You’ll mimic a classic herb spiral garden in a tiny space.
- Color wheel: Plant each level with a different color of the same flower-purple, pink, and white petunias, for example. It creates a beautiful gradient effect as they grow and trail downward.
Conclusion
You don’t need to spend a fortune on garden containers. All ten options we looked at cost under $80 yet make a real impact in any outdoor space.
From modern resin planters to classic barrel styles, these affordable containers work with any home style. The money you save on planters can go toward better quality plants, often the more important investment.
I started with just two large containers and built my collection over time. Mix different styles for the most interesting garden look.
Have you found other budget-friendly planters? Share your ideas in the comments! I’m always looking for new ways to create beautiful gardens without the high cost.
Happy planting!
FAQs
How large should outdoor planters be for small trees?
For small trees, choose planters at least 24 inches wide and deep. This gives the roots room to grow and prevents the container from tipping over.
What’s the best material for inexpensive outdoor planters that last?
Resin and fiberglass offer the best durability for the price. They resist cracking in cold weather and won’t fade quickly in the sun.
How can I make cheap plastic planters look more expensive?
Paint them with textured spray paint. Add decorative details with outdoor trim. Group different sizes together for a curated, high-end look.
Do large outdoor planters need drainage holes?
Yes, absolutely. Without drainage, soil becomes waterlogged and roots rot. Drill holes if needed or use the pot-in-pot method for proper drainage.
