Best large outdoor plant pots to give your plants space to thrive

Looking for a large outdoor plant pot? You can't beat a stunning plant pot or planter to help you show off your favourite outdoor plants, shrubs, herbs and even trees and there are plenty of innovative and beautiful designs to choose from. That being said, larger plant pots can be tricky to track down and even trickier to manoeuvre around the garden. However, your trees and growing plants with their larger spread of roots will thank you for some extra room and breathing space, especially plants and shrubs that grow at speed all year round.

We've rounded up the cream of the crop so you can pick the best large plant pot for you. Whether you want one with luxury finishes or a budget pot, we've got you covered.

Best large outdoor plant pots at a glance

• Best overall: Large Oak Wood Effect Barrel Plastic Decorative Garden Patio Trough Plant Pot Planter - View now on B&Q
• Best for jungle plants: Green Glazed Classical Planter - View now on Gardenesque
• Best square: Orson Square Terracotta Plant Pot - View now on Gardenesque

You'll find those made from plastic, clay and terracotta, and we've even included a few that don't require as much watering due to proper filtration. We've also answered popular questions about planting plants in large pots and the best materials to choose from.

Best large plant pots

Best large outdoor plant pots FAQs

What plants are best for large pots?

Experts say that you should plant rapid-growing plants and shrubs in large containers, rather than in small ones. Large containers will hold more soil, keeping it moist and cool. Plants in small containers tend to dry out more quickly and you may have to water them more frequently to keep the plants thriving.

Olive trees, conifers, bay trees and palm trees are just a few trees that thrive in a contained space, hence the name 'container garden' - meaning that despite lack of soil and space, you can create a garden just about anywhere.

Trees can live in a container for as long as they are healthy and happy. If you follow proper steps to ensure your tree's health (including watering), it could stay in the same pot for 20 years or more. Not to mention, your trees and plants will be better protected from pests and diseases in a pot compared to the ground.

What outdoor plant pots won't crack in bad weather?

Heavy plastic, stone, iron, lead and fiberglass are the best weather-resistant containers to use. Be careful of terra-cotta as it will eventually expand and crack with repeated freezing and thawing. Assemble your designs early enough that the plants have time to acclimate to their new pots before really cold weather

What to read next:

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Best small plant pots for showcasing natural beauty

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Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace, tending to her houseplants and chilling in her jungle garden with her sausage dog Waffle.