What To Plant In A Large Planter

Choosing what to plant in a large planter can feel overwhelming. The good news is, these generous containers offer incredible creative gardening ideas for almost any style.

You have a huge canvas to work with. A big pot means deep soil for roots, more visual impact, and the chance to mix plants you love. Let’s look at how to make the most of your space.

First, consider your planter’s home. Is it in full sun, partial shade, or mostly shade? This is the biggest factor in choosing happy plants. Also, make sure your container has drainage holes to prevent soggy roots.

Thriller, Filler, Spiller: The Classic Recipe

This design principle never fails for a full, professional look.

Thriller: A tall, eye-catching centerpiece. Think ornamental grasses, a small tree, or a bold flowering plant.
Filler: Mid-sized plants that bulk out the arrangement. They provide color and texture around the thriller.
Spiller: Plants that cascade over the edge, softening the pot’s lines and adding length.

Sun-Loving Planter Ideas

For spots with 6+ hours of direct sun.

Thriller: Purple fountain grass, a dwarf Alberta spruce, or a standard rose.
Filler: Bright geraniums, sturdy lavender, or vibrant zinnias.
Spiller: Golden creeping Jenny, profuse petunias, or sweet potato vine.

Shade-Tolerant Planter Ideas

Perfect for porches or under trees.

Thriller: A fern like an ostrich fern, a hosta with large leaves, or a Japanese maple sapling.
Filler: Colorful begonias, classic impatiens, or coleus with painted leaves.
Spiller: Trailing ivy, bacopa with tiny white flowers, or vinca vine.

Edible Gardens in Pots

Large planters are fantastic for growing food. The soil depth supports veggies and herbs well.

Tomato Central: Plant one determinate tomato (like a patio variety) as your thriller. Use basil and parsley as fillers, and let nasturtiums spill over the side. They’re all great companions!
Salad Bowl: Mix several loose-leaf lettuce varieties (filler). Add a few green onion plants (thriller) and let creeping thyme (spiller) trail over. You can harvest leaves for weeks.
Herb Haven: Combine a rosemary shrub (thriller) with oregano and thyme (fillers that can also spill), and some chives. They love sun and good drainage.

Low-Maintenance and Drought-Tolerant Themes

If you forget to water sometimes, choose plants that don’t mind.

Succulent Symphony: Use a tall aeonium or agave as your thriller. Fill with colorful echeverias and sedums. Let string of pearls or burro’s tail drape down. They need very little water and a gritty soil mix.
Mediterranean Mix: A small olive or lavender plant (thriller), with silvery dusty miller (filler) and trailing rosemary or blue chalk sticks (spiller). This combo loves heat and dry spells.

Steps for Planting Your Large Container

Choose Your Pot: Ensure it’s large enough (at least 18-24 inches wide) and has drainage holes. A wheeled base can help move it later.
Use the Right Soil: Don’t use garden soil. Fill the bottom third with lightweight packing peanuts or crushed cans for drainage (saves soil and weight). Then, use a high-quality potting mix. For veggies or succulents, choose a mix formulated for them.
Arrange Before Planting: Place your still-potted plants on top the soil to test your layout. Adjust untill you like the arrangement.
Plant: Remove plants from their nursery pots. Loosen any tightly wound roots. Plant your thriller slightly off-center for interest. Add fillers around it, then tuck spillers near the edge. Leave an inch or two between the soil and the pot rim for watering.
Water Thoroughly: Soak the soil completely until water runs out the bottom. This settles the roots.

Caring for Your Large Planter

Big planters dry out slower than small ones, but they still need attention.

Watering: Check soil moisture by sticking your finger 2 inches down. Water when it feels dry. In summer, this might be daily. A slow, deep watering is better than a quick sprinkle.
Feeding: Nutrients wash out with frequent watering. Use a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil at planting, or feed with a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
Deadheading: Regularly pinch off spent flowers. This encourages most plants to produce more blooms instead of going to seed.
Seasonal Changes: You can refresh your planter for fall with mums, ornamental kale, and pansies. In colder climates, protect or move non-hardy pots for winter.

Creative and Unexpected Ideas

Think outside the box for truly unique displays.

A Miniature Tree: A dwarf conifer, Japanese maple, or small citrus tree can live happily for years in a large planter, providing permanent structure.
A Butterfly & Bee Cafe: Plant nectar-rich flowers like lantana (thriller), salvia (filler), and alyssum (spiller) to support pollinators all season.
A Sensory Pot: Combine plants for touch (lamb’s ear), smell (lavender, mint), and sight (colorful flowers). It’s a wonderful idea for a patio seating area.
Monochromatic Magic: Choose plants all in one color family. An all-white planter with white begonias, sweet alyssum, and a white caladium is stunning and cool-looking at night.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding: It’s tempting to add to many plants, but they need space to grow. Follow spacing guidelines on plant tags.
Poor Drainage: Without holes, roots will rot. You can drill them yourself if needed.
Using Garden Soil: It compacts in pots, suffocating roots. Always use potting mix.
Forgetting About Weight: A large planted pot can be extremely heavy. Choose its final location carefully or use a wheeled stand.

FAQ

What are some good plants for big outdoor pots?
Great choices include ornamental grasses, dwarf shrubs, small trees, geraniums, petunias, herbs, and succulents. Always group plants with similar light and water needs.

How do you fill a deep planter without using so much soil?
Use the “filler” method. Place empty plastic bottles, upside-down nursery pots, or packing peanuts in the bottom third of the pot. Cover with landscape fabric, then add your potting mix. This aids drainage and makes the pot lighter.

Can you leave plants in large pots over winter?
It depends on the plant and your climate. Hardy perennials and shrubs can often stay if the pot is frost-resistant. Tender plants must be brought indoors. Insulating the pot with bubble wrap can help in marginal climates.

What is the best soil for large planters?
A premium, well-draining potting mix is essential. Look for mixes with perlite or vermiculite. For long-term plantings like trees, use a permanent patio potting mix.

How often should you water a large container garden?
There’s no fixed schedule. Check the soil moisture regularly by feel. Factors like sun, wind, and plant type affect drying time. Water deeply when the top few inches are dry.

Choosing what to plant in a large planter is a fun chance to express your style. With good soil, the right plant combinations, and proper care, your container garden will thrive and bring you joy all season long. Don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes the best creative gardening ideas for your space come from trying something new.