Small flowers such as bright marigold flowers, pansies, blooming petunias in pots, dwarf zinnia, geraniums, and the like all flourish in railing planters. Don’t forget the million bells plant for lots of flowers.

How do you fill a planter railing?

  1. Fill the planter almost to the top with potting soil. …
  2. Loosen the roots of the plants a little before planting them. …
  3. On one side of the planter, scoop out a hole in the potting soil with the Big Grip Trowel to make room for one of the grasses.

What do you put in a balcony planter?

  1. Herbs. Herbs are brilliant plants for balconies. …
  2. Houseplants. If you’re growing houseplants, give them a summer holiday on your balcony. …
  3. Bedding plants. …
  4. Japanese maple. …
  5. Tomatoes. …
  6. Jasmine. …
  7. Bulbs.

What plants grow well in planters?

Not only do herbs and vegetables thrive in pots, they will also provide you with an abundance of deliciousness for your cooking! Pot-loving herbs include basil, mint, parsley, thyme, coriander, bay laves and chives. For vegetables, go for spinach, silverbeet, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes and capsicum.

Can you grow vegetables in rail planters?

Deck rail planters are great for decorative flowers and adding visual appeal to your home, but you can grow vegetables in them, too.

What grows well in large pots?

  • 01 of 20. Agave (Agave) …
  • 02 of 20. Amaranth (Amaranthus) …
  • 03 of 20. Arborvitae (Thuja) …
  • 04 of 20. Bamboo (Bambusoideae) …
  • 05 of 20. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) …
  • 06 of 20. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) …
  • 07 of 20. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) …
  • 08 of 20. Canna Lily (Canna × generalis)

How do you keep a plant on a railing?

The same goes for deck railing plant boxes — hang them on the outside of the railing, so they don’t drip on your deck. Even if some water does drip on your deck, it’s better than having a planter sit directly on the wood. At least with hanging planters, the wood can dry out.

What are the easiest plants to grow in pots?

  • Geraniums. Classic geraniums like these, ‘Dark Red’ and ‘White Watermelon’, look as natural on porches in summer as pumpkins do in fall. …
  • Petunias. …
  • Mandevillas. …
  • Hydrangeas. …
  • Chrysanthemums. …
  • Begonias and Coral Bells. …
  • Impatiens. …
  • Sedums and Coleus.

What plants are good for pots all year round?

  1. ‘Golden Sword’ yucca combines with almost anything. …
  2. ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood keeps its color all year. …
  3. Golden creeping Jenny is perfect for the edge of the pot. …
  4. 4. Japanese pieris has colorful new growth. …
  5. ‘Emerald’ arborvitae works where you need some height.
How do you protect a planter from a railing?

Heavy metal hooks wrap around the deck banister and hold planters steady against the railing. This lets you hang plants along the inside and outside of the deck railing and even off the sides of the platform. Hang more plants off the sides of steps for a bountiful garden look that won’t hurt the deck.

Article first time published on

Are rail planters safe?

Rounded Cedar Deck Rail Planter Large This deck planter is made from northern white cedar, so you know you’re getting a product made out of high-quality materials. These planters are safe to use and do not contain any harmful or toxic materials.

How do you plant in a planter?

  1. Make Large Pots Lighter. …
  2. Fill Pots With Soil. …
  3. Mix Water Storing Crystals Into Soil. …
  4. Save Plant Tags. …
  5. Clean Up Annuals Before Planting. …
  6. Slide Plants From Pots. …
  7. Inspect Plant Roots. …
  8. Loosen Plant Roots.

How do you grow plants on a balcony railing?

Try using a long box planter for your plants, and attach a trellis made of chicken wire or string for vines to grow up and over the top rail. This will provide a little space between the main plant and the rails. Plants with tendrils, like sweet pea or morning glory, will especially need a trellis.

What plants are best for balcony?

  1. Aloe Vera. If you do not have this multi-tasker in your home already, then we seriously suggest that you get one asap. …
  2. Pothos/Devil’s Ivy. …
  3. Spider plant. …
  4. Basil. …
  5. Jade Plant. …
  6. Cactus. …
  7. Desert Rose. …
  8. Pansy.

What plants can I grow on a north facing balcony?

Other robust plants that are suitable for shady north-facing balconies include ivy, begonias, busy Lizzies and boxwood. Tip: Use light-coloured pots and planters. These will reflect the light and create a sunny feel on the shady balcony.

What are trailing plants?

  • Aurinia saxatilis. …
  • Campanula poscharskyana ‘Stella’ …
  • Cytisus x kewensis. …
  • Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’ …
  • Lathyrus odoratus ‘Solway Classic’ …
  • Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ …
  • Osteospermum jucundum. …
  • Persicaria affinis ‘Superba’

Can you plant perennials in window boxes?

If gardening isn’t your thing or if money is an issue, perennials are the perfect choice for window boxes. In the right climate and environment, they can survive through the winter and grow back the following spring. In climates with light frosts, your perennial choices may seem endless.

How do you keep pots on a balcony?

Use the balcony floor to keep decorative pots and planters and introduce more colors to your space. Try to use the pots of geometric shapes and pastel shades. These pots will become noticeable due to their sharp and clear edges.

What do you put under outdoor potted plants?

Use something called pot feet Aliases of pot risers & deck protectors…. These are usually stone, concrete, or pottery and they simply sit under the pot holding it up about an inch from the ground so that drainage holes remain clear and airflow is allowed under the pot.

Do plant pots ruin decking?

Plant pots that are placed directly onto the deck surface will trap moisture underneath, increasing the exposure risk and creating potential problems. That is unless your deck boards are made from Use Class 4 pressure treated softwood timber or a durable hardwood.

What are plants that grow all year round called?

A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term (per- + -ennial, “through the years”) is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials.

What evergreen shrubs grow well in pots?

  • Dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo ‘Pumilio’ group)
  • Korean blue fir ( Abies koreana – check that it is a dwarf variety)
  • Yucca (eg Yucca gloriosa Aureovariegata)
  • Phormium (all kinds)
  • Fatsia, especially variegated Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’

What should I plant next to my front door?

  • English Ivy. pixedeliGetty Images. …
  • Boxwood Topiary. pixonautGetty Images. …
  • Petunias. DzuragGetty Images. …
  • Umbrella Tree. GiorezGetty Images. …
  • Bird of Paradise. DhoxaxGetty Images. …
  • Tradescantia Zebrina. …
  • Citrus Tree. …
  • Boston Fern.

Does lavender do well in pots?

Any lavender variety will grow in a container, but some are better suited than others. Dwarf Blue, Munstead, Hidcote, Sweet, Sharon Roberts, and Lavender Lady produce flowers fast and stay a manageable size in pots. – Cut lavender stems when the lowest blossom opens.

What shrubs are best in pots?

  • Rosa Munstead Wood (‘Ausbernard’) …
  • Luma apiculata. …
  • Rhododendron ‘Dopey’ …
  • Prostanthera rotundifolia. …
  • Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’ …
  • Pieris japonica ‘Prelude’ …
  • Kalmia latifolia ‘Little Linda’ …
  • Hebe ‘Pink Elephant’

What flowers can you grow in pots?

  • African daisies.
  • Angelonia.
  • Begonias.
  • Ferns.
  • Geraniums.
  • Gerbera daisies.
  • Herbs.
  • Impatiens.

Which veggies can be grown in pots?

  • Carrots: Empty containers don’t look good. …
  • Cole Crops: Cole crops are the easiest to grow in containers. …
  • Cucumber: Pick up Salad Bush or Bush Pickle variety cucumber to grow in your kitchen garden.
  • Eggplant: …
  • Lettuce and other greens: …
  • Melons: …
  • Onions: …
  • Peas:

Do railing planters need drainage holes?

You will not need to drill any holes to put it in place. Remember to add footing under the center planter to provide air circulation and help prevent railing damage.

How do you keep planters from ruining decking?

  1. 1.) Opt for Hanging Planters and Deck Planters. …
  2. 2.) Place Potted Plants on Plant Stands. …
  3. 3.) Elevate Off Surface with Pot Feet or Risers. …
  4. 4.) Frequently Change Your Pot Placement. …
  5. 5.) Keep up with Regular Deck Maintenance.

How do you secure plants on a balcony ledge?

Tie The Plant Pots To Something Sturdy After the hole has been drilled, you can put a zip tie, small rope, or iron wire through the hole and tie the plant pot to the balcony railing. This is one of the easiest ways to protect your potted balcony plants from tipping over by the wind.

Should I put rocks at the bottom of my planter?

In general, it’s not necessary to put rocks in the bottom of plant pots. One rock to cover the drainage hole is enough – just enough so that the soil doesn’t leach out of the bottom but water can flow freely through the pot. Putting rocks in plant pots doesn’t aid drainage or improve air circulation.