“The most important rule is to choose a planter with drainage holes in the bottom, so the soil doesn’t become waterlogged,” Hynes says. “Well-drained planters are the best protection against drowning plants.” Without good drainage outdoors, rain can collect and drown or rot your plants. Indoors, it’s tricky to prevent overwatering unless the pot drains. In researching the best planters, we kept in mind value, durability, style, and how well the planter suits different plants and growing needs. We also looked for planters that are suitable for all the many plants gardeners grow: houseplants; succulents; African violets; orchids; vegetables, such as lettuces and tomatoes; herbs; annual flowers; and more. Our Best Overall Planter is the Trendspot Knack Ceramic Planter, for its excellent drainage, versatility to accommodate many indoor and outdoor plants, and diversity in size and color. Here are our best planters of 2022. Because it’s glazed ceramic, it’s unlikely to discolor in UV light, washes up easily to sterilize the pot for the next plant, and should last for many years. (In cold climates where temperatures stay below freezing for weeks at a time, bring it indoors to prevent cracking.) The Trendspot Knack Ceramic Planter is available in multiple colors and three sizes—4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches across. Those sizes accommodate everything from small starts of herbs or houseplants to larger plants such as patio-planted peppers or lettuces. Price at time of publish: $14 These pots are billed as good for indoor or outdoor use, but we recommend bringing them indoors when temperatures regularly hit freezing, or they may crack over time. Also, inexpensive plastic tends to fade in outdoor light over time. Price at time of publish: $20 It’s generously sized and available in classic white or stylish black, both of which work with a wide variety of decors. It’s also affordably priced, so you can have several hanging on a porch, arranged on a deck or patio, or spanning a bank of windows. Price at time of publish: $33 (set of 2) With a water capacity of over 6 quarts, this planter is excellent for trailing plants and herbs, cacti, succulents, and more. Each tray has a removable plug for drainage. Price at time of publish: $80 For a real splurge, place several in a row.  The planter has a natural-looking, stucco-like surface in several colors. It’s insulated to somewhat prevent freezing in cold climates and premature drying out of soil in warm climates. Good thing you can set it and forget it because it weighs nearly 30 pounds empty. Price at time of publish: $306 It’s constructed of compact stackable tiers, so you can grow multiples of all your favorite basils, thymes, mints, oreganos, parsley, cilantro, and more in a vertical garden. If you have limited areas that have enough sunlight, it’s compact enough to place all your herbs in that small patch. An available wheeled base tray (sold separately) makes moving the planter even easier.  Best of all, the vertical tiers are self-watering, so you don’t have to worry about the herbs drying out and all your hard work going to waste. Price at time of publish: $40 One of this planter’s best attributes is its versatility: You can fold it and move it not only to store in the offseason but even during the growing year, when lighting conditions change. To take advantage of this, however, we recommend that you set a pot inside the box instead of filling it with soil, as it’s designed. Not only does this make it easier to move the planter but it also prolongs the planter’s life and prevents any soil from sifting. We also recommend that you paint the planter or apply an outdoor wood sealer to extend its life even further.  Price at time of publish: $60 Our top choice for a tall planter is durable—made from concrete and fiberglass—but affordable. Many tall planters can easily cost $100 or more, but you can buy the Kante for just over half that price. It should be tough enough to resist all kinds of weather, regardless of the season. Also it’s available in a variety of sizes and colors. The simple, classic design works with a variety of decors and architectural styles.While tall planters such as these go well in pairs, we have noted that on some occasions, the two that arrived were not the same color. Price at time of publish: $59 It’s also cleverly designed to fit two sizes of deck railing (2 x 4-inch and 2 x 6-inch). Though it may tend to wobble a tad when empty, filling it with soil stabilizes the planter and keeps it secure. Use one solo or, since it’s so well-priced, several in a row. Price at time of publish: $31 These soft-sided, nonwoven fabric pots come in sizes that can hold 1-30 gallons of soil. According to the manufacturer, their nonwoven design means water won’t hang around in the pots, avoiding the possibility drowning your veggies. These grow pots also are inexpensive, large, and durable and cost far less than similarly sized containers. They can be emptied at the end of the growing season, washed off, and stashed away.  Use them indoors, including under grow lights, or out. You can even use them on top of problem soil, especially for root vegetables needing loose soil and/or those that benefit from hilling, such as potatoes. Price at time of publish: $22 (3-gallon)

Material

Plastic is an inexpensive choice that is durable and can be shaped into many styles and colors. It’s also excellent for keeping soil evenly moist. However, especially in warmer climates, direct sunlight can destroy cheap plastic and fade colors. When shopping for plastic or similar pots, look for thicker planters billed as UV-resistant.  Fiberglass and resin, or materials that include one or both, tend to be extremely durable and UV-resistant. They also tend to cost more than plastic. Wood planters can be expensive and, if not well made, last only a year or two. Look for quality construction and protective finishes such as paint and sealants.  Metal containers are attractive and available in a wide variety of materials, including galvanized steel, brass, copper, and more. They tend to overheat in hot climates, and some are not rust-resistant.  Concrete containers are heavy but durable. They resist cracking and freezing in cold climates as long as the soil is removed for the winter.   Terra cotta or natural clay is beautiful, classic, and practical for succulents and cacti.  But unless it’s glazed, it can dry out quickly. Also, in cold climates it must be brought indoors over the winter. If you must leave planters outside year-round, opt for something other than clay or concrete, which can crack when freezing water expands. Plastic, fiberglass, glazed clay, or other nonporous material is recommended if you live in a dry climate or want to minimize watering, Hynes says. Those planters keep the soil moist longer.

Size

“There’s no simple formula for calculating size,” Hynes notes. “So find out how large the plant will ultimately get.” With most indoor plants, choose a planter that’s about 2 inches in diameter larger than the current container. Hynes also recommends that you look for a planter that can be moved when needed and, if intended to be used outdoors, stored in a protected space at the end of the season.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This list was researched and written by Veronica Lorson Fowler, a freelance writer for The Spruce. She specializes in home and outdoor products and is an avid gardener. To put together this list of best planters, she considered factors such as durability, value, function, style, and climate. She prioritized top picks with a good value that will last for years and assure healthy, vigorous plants. Veronica also consulted garden expert Erin Hynes, a former horticulture extension agent and author of numerous garden books.