How to choose the best pots for container gardening

Last Updated on September 1, 2025 by Thompson & Morgan Horticultural Team

There are many ways to create a garden, and you don’t need acres of space, tonnes of soil or a green lawn to do it. A few carefully chosen pots, troughs, planters, windowboxes and raised beds will quickly transform a bland space into a mini oasis or a productive veg patch. And, if you live in a rental property, you can take them all with you when you leave.

Browse our full range of containers and plant pots for more inspiration.

Raised metal beds

With a choice of colours and a vintage feel, these corrugated, flat-pack, metal veggie beds are quick and easy to assemble. The clever modular design means they can be set up as square or rectangular planters to suit your space. Use them for a range of flowers, fruit and veg – see our top tips on how to grow plants in raised beds for more inspiration.

• Benefits: The specially finished steel is weatherproof and durable.
• Specific tips: As there’s no base, use a liner if placing the bed on a patio or decking. If you’re putting it directly onto earth, make sure it’s level and add a base layer of gravel to improve drainage and protect the bottom of the bed.
• Most suitable for growing: Any shallow-rooted herbs, flowers and fruit, such as alpines, strawberries and parsley would be perfect. If you want to grow root crops, choose short or round varieties.

Twin-walled recycled plastic raised beds

These recycled plastic raised beds are extremely flexible and really easy to set up. The twin-walled construction means soil is insulated, creating good growing conditions, while the recycled plastic is weather-proof, rust-proof and UV protected. See our top 10 crops for pots for planting ideas.

• Benefits: The beds can be made taller or longer by adding extension kits, while the unique ‘locking’ system means they are very stable.
• Specific Tips: Altering the height of the beds allows you to grow a range of crops. Choose deep beds for perennial fruit bushes like blueberries, and shallow beds for lettuces and herbs.
• Most suitable for growing: Soil will warm quickly in these, making them ideal for early salad crops or the very first strawberries.

Wooden planters and troughs

Available as rectangular troughs or square planters, these containers are delivered fully assembled. They are made from dry pine timber and the planters have a choice of coloured stains, offering something for every style of garden. Small feet and gaps between the baseboards mean soil can drain.

• Benefits: No construction is needed with these attractive planters and troughs.
• Specific Tips: If you order a liner, make a few holes in it to aid drainage. Add some castors under the feet to allow you to move the planters around.
• Most suitable for growing: Choose annual flowers and veg or small perennials. See our article on plants for containers for inspiration. (https://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants-for-containers)

Raised wooden planters

Our raised wooden planters are ideal for those with limited space or gardeners in rented accommodation as they can be easily moved. They are made from strong and durable fir wood. Easy to construct, they come with full instructions and a liner.

• Benefits: The height of these planters makes them easy for gardeners with mobility issues to manage.
• Specific Tips: Add a twin-zipped cover and frame to convert your raised planter into a mini greenhouse or to protect crops. Extend the life of the planter by treating it annually.
• Most suitable for growing: These are perfect for strawberries as the plants can trail over the edge, keeping fruit off the soil. Raising them up also helps protect against slugs and snails.

Planters with climbing trellis

This space-saving design combines a versatile wooden planter with a tall trellis that can add privacy or be used to divide off an area. Made from durable fir wood, the trellis can be used to train climbing flowers or veg. It’s treated with water-resistant paint but, if you want to ring the changes, simply give it a coat of a different colour.

• Benefits: The two-in-one design makes the most of available space and the construction means no further anchoring is needed.
• Specific Tips: For the best growing conditions, use a liner and add a drainage layer of gravel before filling the planter with compost.
• Most suitable for growing: This planter is perfect for annual climbing veg including beans, cucumbers and small squash, and annual flowers like ipomoea and nasturtiums. Perennials, including short climbing roses and clematis will also look fantastic. See our top tips for successful container gardening.

Lightweight patio pots and containers

Made from a new, lightweight and sturdy mix of recycled polypropylene plastic and stone powder, these patio containers are a money-saving way to add style to your garden. Available in marble, concrete, ceramic, wood, terracotta, granite or metal finishes, they’re suitable for traditional and modern garden designs. In addition, they’re weatherproof, frost-resistant, and moisture retentive.

• Benefits: Easy to move around and much cheaper than marble, metal or ceramic.
• Specific Tips: Try grouping several pots of the same style, but in varying sizes, for an eye-catching display.
• Most suitable for growing: These are suitable for permanent small shrubs or seasonal annual displays. See our top tips for perennial plants for pots for more ideas.

Vigoroot fabric pots

These versatile fabric pots are made from unique Vigoroot™ fabric that helps to ‘air-prune’ roots to stop plants becoming pot bound. Suitable for veg, flowers, herbs and fruit, these reusable pots contribute to stronger and more productive plants.

• Benefits: These clever fabric pots fold flat for easy storage when not in use. They can be easily moved around the garden to make maximum use of light, warmth and space.
• Specific Tips: Try putting planted pots in a greenhouse for an earlier crop. Strawberries and potatoes are both suitable.
• Most suitable for growing: These are perfect for crops that are difficult to fully harvest from the ground, such as potatoes. Other great choices are tomatoes, herbs and kale.

Window boxes

Window boxes are the perfect way to grow if you don’t have a garden, and a versatile way to make the most of what is often unused space. Our window boxes are made of pressure-treated pine wood and come with a felt liner.

• Benefits: Window boxes are compact, easy to manage and extremely portable – ideal for those without a garden or in rented accommodation.
• Specific Tips: Keep an eye on watering, especially if the window box is in a sunny spot. Incorporate water absorbent crystals to help stop the compost drying out.
• Most suitable for growing: Small fruit and vegetables, such as strawberries, herbs and salad leaves. They’re also good for small perennials, or providing colourful kerb appeal with seasonal displays of annuals.

We hope this helps you choose the best containers for your garden, as well as lots of inspiration on how to fill them! For more information and advice on patio gardening, visit our dedicated advice hub for ideas.