How to Fill a Large Outdoor Planter: 1 Minute to a Beautiful Outdoor Garden

Filling a large outdoor planter can transform the look of your patio, garden, or entryway by creating impactful, lush displays. Start by choosing a well-draining container with at least one drainage hole. Next, select a lightweight filler material such as empty plastic bottles, broken pottery, or foam blocks to occupy the bottom third of the planter. This reduces the amount of heavy soil needed and ensures proper drainage. Add a layer of landscape fabric over the filler to prevent soil from slipping into the base. Next, use a high-quality outdoor potting mix, filling the planter until a few inches below the rim. Rich soil fosters healthy roots and encourages vibrant growth. When it comes to arranging plants, use the classic design principle of “thriller, filler, and spiller”: one focal plant, several mid-sized filler plants, and trailing varieties to cascade over the edges. As an interior designer, I always pay attention to proportions and color coordination, considering the planter as a vital part of an outdoor living space—treating it like a mini landscape project. To plan your patio arrangements or design cohesive outdoor vignettes, leveraging a tool such as a Home Designer can help you visualize how your planter compositions fit within the wider context of your exterior.

Tips 1:

Choose plants with similar sunlight and watering needs to ensure they thrive together in the same container. You can also refresh just the top few inches of soil and plants every season, extending the planter’s usability and keeping your outdoor design up to date.

FAQ

Q: What should I put in the bottom of a large outdoor planter?

A: Lightweight fillers like empty water bottles, broken terracotta pots, or foam blocks create drainage and reduce the need for excess soil.

Q: How much soil do I need for a large planter?

A: After accounting for filler, measure the internal height of the planter (minus filler height) to estimate soil volume. Many nurseries provide cubic footage charts for reference.

Q: Do large outdoor planters need to be watered more often?

A: Larger planters retain moisture longer, but regular watering is still required, especially in warm weather. The watering frequency also depends on plant types and sunlight exposure.

Q: Can I use garden soil in my outdoor planter?

A: Garden soil is often too dense and can cause drainage issues. Use high-quality potting mix specifically designed for containers to promote healthy root growth.

Q: What plants work best in large outdoor planters?

A: Consider combinations of tall grasses or small shrubs (“thriller”), mounding annuals or perennials (“filler”), and trailing vines or flowers (“spiller”) suited to your climate and light conditions.