The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Outdoor Pots for Your Plants
A beautiful plant deserves the perfect home.
Whether you're styling a front entrance, creating a relaxing outdoor entertaining area, adding greenery to a balcony, or simply wanting to bring more life into your backyard, choosing the right outdoor pot can completely transform your space.
The right planter isn't just about looks. The size, shape and style of your pot all play an important role in helping your plants thrive while creating a garden that feels thoughtfully designed.
At Plants in a Box, we believe gardening should be easy and enjoyable. That's why we've created our Designer Pot Series - a collection of lightweight, modern and eco-friendly pots designed to pair beautifully with our range of Australian natives, hedging plants and feature plants.
Whether you're creating a statement display or adding a few simple touches around your home, here's how to choose the perfect outdoor pots for your garden.
Why Grow Plants in Pots Outdoors?
Outdoor container gardening is one of the easiest ways to add greenery to your home.
Pots give you the freedom to:
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Create a garden even in small spaces
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Add colour to balconies, patios and decks
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Move plants around as seasons change
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Create instant impact without major landscaping
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Experiment with different garden styles
They are also perfect if you are renting, have limited garden space, or simply love changing the look of your outdoor area.
A few carefully chosen pots can turn an ordinary space into a beautiful garden retreat.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Pot Size
One of the biggest mistakes people make when planting outdoors is choosing a pot that's too small.
Plants need room for their roots to grow, especially larger shrubs, natives and hedging plants.
When choosing your pot, consider:
Small pots
Perfect for:
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Herbs
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Smaller flowering plants
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Compact indoor-outdoor plants
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Trailing plants
Medium pots
Great for:
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Compact Grevilleas
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Smaller hedging plants
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Flowering shrubs
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Feature plants
Large pots
Ideal for:
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Lilly Pilly
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Murraya
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Larger Grevilleas
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Screening plants
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Statement plants
A larger pot will also hold moisture for longer, which can make caring for your plants easier during hot Australian summers.

Modern Round Pot Sets: Perfect for Front Entrances
Your front entrance is the first impression of your home, and a matching pair of pots instantly creates a stylish, balanced look.
Our Modern Round 2 Pot Set with Saucers is perfect for creating symmetrical displays beside doors, pathways or outdoor entertaining areas.
The simple, modern shape works beautifully with a wide range of plants.
Try pairing them with:
🌿 Compact Grevilleas for colourful native flowers
🌱 Philodendron for tropical vibes
🌸 Gardenias or Star Jasmine for beautiful fragrance
The included saucers also help catch excess water, making them a practical choice for patios, balconies and paved areas.

Create a Statement Garden with Large Outdoor Pots
If you want your outdoor space to feel professionally styled, grouping larger pots together is one of the easiest ways to achieve that look.
Our 4-Piece Large Set Nova Eco-Friendly Pots makes creating a cohesive garden display simple.
Using matching pots throughout your outdoor area helps create a polished, designer feel while allowing your plants to become the feature.
Some planting ideas:
For a native garden look:
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Grevilleas
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Westringia
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Lomandra
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Correas
For privacy and screening:
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Lilly Pilly
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Murraya
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Syzygium varieties
For a softer cottage style:
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Gardenias
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Flowering shrubs
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Ornamental grasses
A collection of matching pots filled with different textures and colours creates a garden that feels connected and intentional.
Bowl Planters: Perfect for Low-Growing Plants
Bowl planters are a fantastic option when you want a wider planting area and a lower profile display.
Our Nova Designer Bowl Planters Bundle Set of 3 and Eco-Friendly Bowl Planters 2 Pack are perfect for creating beautiful layered displays.
They look especially good with:
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Low-growing Grevilleas
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Native grasses
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Succulents
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Groundcovers
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Flowering annuals

Because bowl planters have a wider surface area, they allow plants to spread naturally and create a fuller, more established look.
They work beautifully on:
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Decks
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Balconies
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Courtyards
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Pool areas
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Outdoor entertaining spaces
Hanging Planters: Add Greenery Without Taking Up Space
Not every garden has room for large pots on the ground.
Hanging planters are a clever way to add greenery vertically, making them perfect for balconies, fences, pergolas and smaller outdoor areas.
Our Hanging Planter Bundle 2 Piece Small & Medium is ideal for adding height and interest to your garden.
Great plants for hanging planters include:
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Trailing natives like Pink Jasmine
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Cascading foliage plants
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Flowering trailing plants
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Easy-care greenery
Using different heights throughout your garden creates a more natural and visually interesting space.

How to Keep Outdoor Potted Plants Healthy
Potted plants need slightly different care compared to plants growing in the ground.
Watering
Outdoor pots can dry out faster, especially during summer.
Check your soil regularly and water deeply when the top layer feels dry.
Drainage
Good drainage is essential.
Always choose pots with drainage holes and avoid letting plants sit in excess water.
Feeding
Because nutrients wash through pots over time, occasional feeding helps keep plants healthy and encourage strong growth.
Use a fertiliser suited to your plant type, especially for Australian natives.
Pruning
Light pruning helps maintain shape and encourages bushier growth.
Creating a Designer Outdoor Space
You don't need a huge garden to create something beautiful.
A few simple design ideas can make a big difference:
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Use matching pots throughout your outdoor area
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Combine different pot heights for interest
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Place statement pots near entrances
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Mix flowering plants with evergreen foliage
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Use pots to soften hard spaces like patios and decks
The best outdoor spaces combine practicality with personality.
Find the Perfect Pot and Plant Combination
Whether you're creating a lush native garden, adding privacy, styling your patio or simply bringing more greenery into your home, the right pot makes all the difference.
Our Designer Pot Series has been designed to make outdoor gardening easier, helping you create beautiful displays that suit your space and your style.
Pair your favourite pots with our range of Australian plants and start creating an outdoor space you'll love.
Happy planting!