Buying guide

Ad: Best Garden Planters UK: 6 Types for Balconies and Patios

Six planter styles compared for UK balconies and patios, including window boxes, lightweight pots, tiered rattan sets and trellis planters.

Ad / affiliate disclosure: What Is The Best? has an affiliate partnership with DeubaXXL UK. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through the sponsored retailer links on this page. This comparison is based on retailer-supplied specifications and our editorial assessment of use cases; we have not physically tested these products. Sponsored retailer links have been approved for display. Check current prices and delivery terms with the retailer.

A good planter is not just a container that matches the furniture. A window box must fit its mounting position, a tall pot needs stability, and a trellis planter should provide a suitable support for the plant you want to grow. This guide compares six different planter formats from the DeubaXXL UK catalogue, from a compact 32 cm decorative pot to a tall trellis unit. Our picks are based on dimensions, stated materials and intended use, without pretending to have tested drainage or long-term weathering.

Our shortlist at a glance

Comparative product shortlist — prices from last imported retailer feed, not live checkout quotes
ProductBest forNotable featureFeed priceRetailer (Ad)
Planter Rato Low Anthracite 32x32x33cmFor a neat small-space accent32 × 32 × 33 cm · rattan-look plastic · removable inner pot£28.99Last feed: 2 Nov 2026Ad · View at DeubaXXL
Window Box 2 Pcs Set 60x20x19cm BlackFor balcony rails2 × window boxes · 60 × 20 × 19 cm · brackets included£39.99Last feed: 2 Nov 2026Ad · View at DeubaXXL
Rattan Planter Set 3 Pcs BrownFor a coordinated group of potsThree graduated polyrattan planters · removable inner pots£44.99Last feed: 2 Nov 2026Ad · View at DeubaXXL
Plant Pot Concrete Design 26L AnthraciteFor a lighter concrete appearance26L outer capacity claim · PP · 26.5 × 26.5 × 50 cm£28.99Last feed: 2 Nov 2026Ad · View at DeubaXXL
Plant Pot Concrete Design 91L AnthraciteFor taller visual impact91L outer capacity claim · PP · 40 × 40 × 75 cm£59.99Last feed: 2 Nov 2026Ad · View at DeubaXXL
Rattan Trellis Planter Black 83x305x146cmFor climbing plantsPolyrattan trellis unit · three inner pots · 83 × 30.5 × 146 cm£61.99Last feed: 2 Nov 2026Ad · View at DeubaXXL

Prices, availability and delivery terms can change. A seller-supplied in-stock indication is not a live stock guarantee. Product order reflects different use cases, not an independently tested performance score.

How we chose these options

We prioritised different plant-display problems rather than filling the list with repeated colours and sizes from one range. The criteria were footprint, planter type, removable liners, drainage arrangements, materials and support for climbers. Some retailer product names contain formatting mistakes, so we use dimensions only when the description provides an intelligible metric measurement.

The products compared

For a neat small-space accent

The Rato Low is a compact square design with a removable inner pot and side handles. The listing describes a closed-bottom outer container, which may be helpful indoors where water spills are undesirable, provided watering and drainage are handled carefully.

Product photograph: Planter Rato Low Anthracite 32x32x33cm
Planter Rato Low Anthracite 32x32x33cm

Feed price: £28.99

Retailer: DeubaXXL UK · SKU 192713 · Price observed 2 Nov 2026

Stock: listed as available in the latest retained feed. Check the retailer for current price and delivery terms.

Ad · View at DeubaXXL Sponsored link. Price and stock may change.

Worth checking: A closed base can increase the risk of waterlogging if you overwater. Check drainage needs for your plant and verify whether the inner pot has suitable holes.

For balcony rails

These two black window boxes have poly-rattan-style construction and adjustable galvanised-steel brackets, described as suitable for 5–14 cm attachment positions. They offer a matching solution for a balcony edge or narrow railing without needing floor space.

Product photograph: Window Box 2 Pcs Set 60x20x19cm Black
Window Box 2 Pcs Set 60x20x19cm Black

Feed price: £39.99

Retailer: DeubaXXL UK · SKU 108062 · Price observed 2 Nov 2026

Stock: listed as available in the latest retained feed. Check the retailer for current price and delivery terms.

Ad · View at DeubaXXL Sponsored link. Price and stock may change.

Worth checking: The seller describes a closed base and suggests drilling drainage holes where necessary. Check whether the rail and fixings are suitable for the total wet-soil weight before mounting.

For a coordinated group of pots

The three-piece rattan planter set groups different heights in a coordinated finish. Removable inner pots and a closable water outlet are useful details for positioning plants together on a patio or beside a doorway.

Product photograph: Rattan Planter Set 3 Pcs Brown
Rattan Planter Set 3 Pcs Brown

Feed price: £44.99

Retailer: DeubaXXL UK · SKU 106645 · Price observed 2 Nov 2026

Stock: listed as available in the latest retained feed. Check the retailer for current price and delivery terms.

Ad · View at DeubaXXL Sponsored link. Price and stock may change.

Worth checking: Do not assume all three inner pots have the same planting volume. Read the individual dimensions and assess wind exposure if the taller pots will stand on an open terrace.

For a lighter concrete appearance

This design mimics concrete but uses lightweight polypropylene. The merchant describes a raised inner base, reducing how much compost is needed compared with filling the entire outer shell. This could be useful where moving a heavy concrete planter would be awkward.

Product photograph: Plant Pot Concrete Design 26L Anthracite
Plant Pot Concrete Design 26L Anthracite

Feed price: £28.99

Retailer: DeubaXXL UK · SKU 108512 · Price observed 2 Nov 2026

Stock: listed as available in the latest retained feed. Check the retailer for current price and delivery terms.

Ad · View at DeubaXXL Sponsored link. Price and stock may change.

Worth checking: The listing separately references the outer capacity and a much smaller planting area. Confirm actual usable soil volume before choosing a plant with a large root system.

For taller visual impact

The larger concrete-look model makes more of a statement and uses the same lightweight construction approach. Its extra height can help frame an entrance or a wide patio edge, and the inner shelf means the planter need not be filled with compost to the bottom.

Product photograph: Plant Pot Concrete Design 91L Anthracite
Plant Pot Concrete Design 91L Anthracite

Feed price: £59.99

Retailer: DeubaXXL UK · SKU 108516 · Price observed 2 Nov 2026

Stock: listed as available in the latest retained feed. Check the retailer for current price and delivery terms.

Ad · View at DeubaXXL Sponsored link. Price and stock may change.

Worth checking: A tall planter with a smaller soil compartment can be top-heavy when carrying mature plants. Plan for wind, anchoring and the final watered weight.

For climbing plants

The trellis planter offers a different function from the standalone pots: a vertical surface to guide suitable climbers while keeping the floor footprint fairly narrow. The description mentions removable inner pots and a drain feature, which are practical for tending several plants in one unit.

Product photograph: Rattan Trellis Planter Black 83x305x146cm
Rattan Trellis Planter Black 83x305x146cm

Feed price: £61.99

Retailer: DeubaXXL UK · SKU 108065 · Price observed 2 Nov 2026

Stock: listed as available in the latest retained feed. Check the retailer for current price and delivery terms.

Ad · View at DeubaXXL Sponsored link. Price and stock may change.

Worth checking: The product name contains an obvious unit-format error. We use the metric dimensions stated in its detailed specifications, but these should be reconfirmed before purchase. Secure the trellis against wind as directed by the manufacturer.

What to consider before buying

Drainage comes before appearance

Healthy roots need appropriate drainage and growing media. Decorative outer pots may be deliberately watertight, while their inner containers have separate drainage arrangements. Make sure excess water has somewhere to go and consider whether a saucer is needed indoors.

Measure width, height and real soil volume

A tall planter can have a raised internal shelf. The total product volume is therefore not always the volume available to roots. Compare both the external footprint and the actual container depth.

Check railings and wind exposure

Rail-mounted window boxes must be attached to suitable fixtures that can carry wet compost and plants. Tall planters and trellis systems catch the wind and should be positioned or secured accordingly.

Choose material for the location

Polypropylene is lighter than concrete, while polyrattan offers a woven look. Both still need inspection for UV exposure and weathering. Choose according to the location and practical handling, not only photographs.

Common questions

Do balcony window boxes always need drainage holes?

They need an appropriate drainage arrangement for the plant and location; the right solution depends on the inner and outer container design.

Is a 91L decorative pot filled with 91L of compost?

Not necessarily. Some tall planters use an internal shelf or liner, so compare the actual planting compartment rather than the outer capacity.

Can a trellis planter stand free in wind?

Wind loading matters. Check the manufacturer's placement and fixing guidance and avoid assuming a tall unit is stable in exposed conditions.

Our verdict

For a railing, choose a properly secured window box; for a small patio corner, a compact low planter may be more convenient. Lightweight concrete-look pots suit decorative placements, while the trellis model makes more sense when vertical planting space is the goal.

Source and freshness: Product names, images, advertised prices and stock indications are taken from the approved DeubaXXL UK product feed distributed through Awin. Prices are displayed from the most recent feed imported on this website and may differ from the shop. No third-party customer scores or hands-on testing results have been invented.