Large Outdoor Planters: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Large outdoor planters are highly versatile and deliver many stunning benefits to landscape design plans. However, selecting the right large commercial planter for your project will involve several decisions, including budgetary considerations.

That’s why the experts at PureModern have put together this visually inspiring use-case buyer’s guide — to help you understand what is possible when you work with PureModern.

Our talented clients have incorporated our planters in such innovative ways that we thought seeing their design outcomes will inspire you.

After all, as the designer, you have a mental picture of what you want to achieve. But many times, you simply need to know that the planter manufacturer you select is reliable and will come through for you.

So we hope you’ll spend a few minutes scrolling through to see how our clients have used PureModern Large Outdoor Planters.

Large Outdoor Planter Use Cases

For both residential and commercial design plans, large outdoor planters can add warmth, depth, and interest to vast outdoor spaces.

Large Outdoor Planters for Expansive Hardscapes

Create symmetrical design vignettes that soften and break up large swaths of hotel or outdoor dining hardscape like Doubletree by Hilton did.

DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando, FL

Large Outdoor Planters for Outdoor Living Rooms

Today’s luxury apartments offer outdoor recreation space in the middle of bustling urban surroundings. Follow the lead of the designer who masterfully crafted this multi-purpose space to turn a substantial exterior space into an outdoor living room in downtown Brooklyn.

Flank outdoor fireplaces and create private nooks throughout large outdoor spaces. Be sure to notice how we customized the planters with fabricated cutouts to fit pathway lights.

Roosevelt Parc in Jackson Heights, NY

Large Outdoor Planters for Rooftops

Design private rooftop green spaces like Dimit Architects did. The space they created was so enticing that seats are now first-come-first-serve. For more inspiration check out our article about restaurant patio design ideas.

Garden City Bar in Shaker Heights, OH 

Large Outdoor Planters for Walkways and Driveways

Large cube planters adorn this private driveway and at the same time match the square shape theme that is carried throughout the property.

Cube Planters at Private Residence 

Large Outdoor Planters for Entrances

These two projects are absolute stunners:

First, for large staircases leading into your property, large planters can incorporate aesthetic and innovative edging solutions.

Custom Edging at Ovation in Hollywood CA

Clear Springs Development Company used PureModern custom planters in various colors — fabricated with and without drain holes — to create visual interest outside stores and restaurants and provide functionality along walkways and streets.

PureModern Planters at Kingsley Town Center in Fort Mill, SC

Large Outdoor Planters for Patios

Add color, texture, and even light to your patio with large outdoor planters like our client recently did for outdoor patios throughout Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Whether your intent is to create privacy, add interest, or incorporate lighting solutions on your patio, large outdoor planters might be just the thing.

Connect Modular Planters at Rockefeller Center New York, NY

Large Outdoor Planters for Trees

Incorporating trees can improve almost any space. But sometimes planting trees in the ground isn’t possible. With the right large outdoor planters, you can add trees to any landscape design plan. Learn more about large outdoor planters for trees by clicking here.

Large Planters at Rockefeller Center New York, NY

Long Outdoor Planters for Walls & Barriers

The common misconception is that planters are an afterthought that spruce up a nondescript building. However, today’s designers use outdoor planters to elevate outcomes in a myriad of ways, including:

• Marking an entry
• Creating an outdoor spot for employees and customers to relax
• Guiding foot traffic
• Protecting pedestrians

Fiberglass Planters in Napa Valley, CA

How to Pick the Shape for Your Oversized Outdoor Planters

When incorporating large outdoor planters, selecting the right shape for your design plan is critical. Be sure to consider the following:

Your reasons for adding greenery to the space.

• To make a large space more intimate or to guide foot traffic, rectangular planters will generally fit best.
• To add interest or use the planter to create a focal point, you can also consider round planters or irregular-shaped planters.
• To complement an entrance or add a minimalistic aesthetic, you can consider square options.

The type of foliage you’ll use. The type of foliage can also determine which planter shape will work best.

• Larger plants and trees like regular watering. Square containers make watering easy and provide more volume and surface area for a denser planting plan.
• Rectangular containers create a linear look for planting even rows of flowers, vegetables, bushes, or hedges.
• Custom-built round or oval containers can satisfy more unique design needs.

The Different Material Types for Big Outdoor Planters

Let’s face it. A large outdoor planter is expensive. When dedicating such a significant piece of your budget, it only makes sense to be sure it will last.

The material you choose for your planter will drive durability and longevity. So, making the right choice for your unique plan is important.

Below, you’ll find the three most common large outdoor type of planter materials.

Powder-Coated Aluminum

Several different types of aluminum can be used to manufacture a planter. At PureModern, we consider heavy gauge 5052 marine-grade aluminum to be the most durable planter material on the market.

This type of aluminum alloy is also commonly used in high-end industrial and commercial-grade outdoor site furnishings, shipbuilding, and aircraft fabrication.

Using this type of marine-grade corrosion-resistant aluminum ensures that your industrial planters can withstand the elements with little to no maintenance.

When is aluminum the right choice?

PureModern commercial-grade powder-coated aluminum planters are perfect for:

• Low-maintenance projects that require lightweight planters that can withstand extreme weather conditions and high-traffic areas.
• Customized planter solutions. Aluminum planters are available in various sizes, shapes, and configurations. Although powder-coated aluminum planters are typically more expensive than fiberglass, they will last longer than a fiberglass planter, and the powder-coating will not fade as soon as the paint used on fiberglass will.
• Rooftop applications or elevated balconies where the overall weight of the planter, plant, and filler is a concern.

Fiberglass

The benefit of using PureModern Fiberglass Planters is that they are lightweight and resistant to corrosion, frost, and UV rays. Most fiberglass planters also require very little maintenance and do not need to be taken indoors during the winter months.

When is fiberglass the right choice?

PureModern fiberglass planters work well if you need:

• Planters that are lightweight, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly
• A unique shape for your planter

COR-TEN Steel

COR-TEN is the trademark name for weathering steel. The name COR-TEN comes from a combination of two of its essential properties: corrosion resistance (COR) and tensile strength (TEN).

An important characteristic of COR-TEN steel planters is that it patinas beautifully after exposure to natural outdoor elements. This patina protects the planter from further corrosion and makes COR-TEN a durable and long-lasting option.

Plus, an industrial-grade finish can be achieved in just about any color.

However, the process that creates the beautiful patina may bleed onto the supporting surface, so we only recommend COR-TEN steel planters for outdoor use and encourage clients to make a plan to protect the surrounding area.

When is COR-TEN steel the right choice?

COR-TEN steel planters will fit your needs if:

• There are no weight or lead-time considerations. COR-TEN planters are substantially heavier than aluminum and fiberglass planters. Fabrication can take six to eight weeks.
• You want a modern and industrial aesthetic. The patina that develops on COR-TEN planters is a unique and beautiful blend of rich brown and orange colors that achieve a modern yet warm rustic look.

How to Choose the Perfect Large Outdoor Planter

We hope this guide has highlighted the key steps in choosing the perfect large outdoor planter for your next project. But the help and support you can find in us doesn’t end here.

At PureModern, we never stop looking for new ways to make our clients happy and deliver exactly what they need. That’s why we can value engineer just about any project. Value engineering is all about striking the optimal balance between maximizing function and minimizing cost.

You’ll create a stunning impression when you include large outdoor planters from PureModern in your design project. But you’ll also love working with our team.

We offer products that are built to last—next month, next year, and ten years from now. Plus, you benefit from how much pride we take in the outcome of your project. We want you to love how your project looks. And that’s why we provide a Done-Right Guarantee—so our clients feel confident trusting us to deliver on our promises.

We have been in this business since 2006 and are committed to ensuring that your project is completed to your expectations.

Where to Buy Large Outdoor Planters & Containers

Whether you’re looking to include modern extra-large planters to create a stunning impression at a doorway or entrance, along walkways, or as centerpieces placed within courtyards or gardens, you’ll love working with our team.

Count on us to be an invested and engaged member of your project team from the moment we become involved until you’re completely satisfied with the outcome. Learn more about working with PureModern.