If you’re thinking about growing your own plants or vegetables, but you have limited space, a raised planter box is just what you need. Perfect for teaching children how to grow their own food, help them gain life skills and even encourage them to eat vegetables, garden boxes have become an incredibly popular item across the UK.
From preventing soil compaction and keeping it from eroding to provisioning better water retention and drainage, raised planter boxes provide many gardening benefits to both expert and beginner gardeners. But also let us not forget how stunning they can make your outdoor area look.
Choosing the right material for your planter box is a crucial decision to avoid unwanted weeds, prevent overheating or rusting and ultimately ensuring a suitable growing space. There are a lot of options available but only one fits these requirements and that is wooden planter boxes.
So what type of wood is best for planter boxes? Cedar and Redwood are two of the most wood types available and you can’t go wrong with either one. Cedar is particularly favoured due to its durable, lightweight and crack resistant qualities. Redwood, on the other hand, is naturally rot resistant and has increased longevity but can be a more expensive alternative.
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Advantages & Disadvantages of the Most Common Wood Types
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a list of the four best wood types for planter boxes. Other suitable options include Cypress, Teak, Accoya and Yellow Balau.
Wood Type | Pros | Cons |
Cedar 
| - Durable (Janka rating of 900 lbf).
- Resistant to harsh weather conditions and pests.
- Lightweight.
- Can last between 10 and 15 years.
- Doesn’t crack.
- Easy maintenance.
- Doesn’t need to be stained or sealing.
| - Can fade to a weathered grey over the years which some find attractive.
|
Redwood
| - Durable (Janka rating of 3,190 lbf).
- Readily available.
- Naturally rot resistant.
- Have been known no last up to 20 years.
- Easy maintenance.
- Not treated with chemicals
| - More expensive than other alternatives.
- Requires sealing to prevent cracking.
|
Pine
| - Durable (Janka rating of 1,630 lbf)
- Highly versatile.
- Affordability.
- Lightweight.
- Resists shrinking and swelling
- Attractive grain options
| - Pressure treated pine contains chemicals to preserve the wood.
- Susceptible to scratches and dents
|
Iroko
| - Durable (Janka rating of 1,260 lbf)
- Rot and insect resistant
- Heat moderation qualities
- Moisture-resistant
- Renowned aesthetic appeal
| - Hard to find
- Higher cost
- Higher maintenance requirements
|
Looking for a Wooden Planter Box?
Are you ready to shop for raised wooden beds? Check out our two bestsellers below or browse our entire wooden planters collection. We also work with schools and councils throughout the UK to provide bespokevegetable planters, so please get in touch to discuss your project!
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FAQs
So what type of wood is best for planter boxes? Cedar and Redwood are two of the most wood types available and you can't go wrong with either one. Cedar is particularly favoured due to its durable, lightweight and crack resistant qualities.
What is the best material for a planter box? ›
Synthetic materials like plastic, fiberglass, and metal are popular choices for outdoor planters. They are more durable and weather-resistant than natural materials and come in various shapes and sizes.
What wood is safe for planters? ›
The safest wood to use for vegetable container gardens is cedar. It resists rot and lasts a long time, but it is pricey. You can safely use other kinds of untreated hardwood to build raised beds, but your project will rot and warp in a few years, depending on the wood.
Does a wood planter box need to be lined with plastic? ›
Planters do not always need to be lined. However, lining a planter has lots of benefits for both your plants and the durability of your planter.
How do you seal wood for a planter box? ›
I recommend at the very least coating your lumber in linseed oil or beeswax to preserve them for the long haul. Some gardeners use lining between the interior of their raised bed and soil to protect the wood. Even with the lining, you'll get seepage of water that will penetrate that wood and linger.
What kind of wood do I need for a planter box? ›
Cedar and Redwood are two of the most wood types available and you can't go wrong with either one. Cedar is particularly favoured due to its durable, lightweight and crack resistant qualities. Redwood, on the other hand, is naturally rot resistant and has increased longevity but can be a more expensive alternative.
Should you use treated wood for a planter box? ›
He stated in a bulletin titled, Treated Wood in Raised Bed Gardening, “Scientific evidence and data have shown that using pressure treated wood for raised bed or box gardening is safe to adults and children in terms of the plants grown and used in these containers.” He further explains, “All chemicals in consumer ...
What do you put in the bottom of a wooden planter box? ›
Line the bottom of the planter box with a single layer of river rock or pebbles. This will allow excess water to drain and keep roots from getting waterlogged. Fill the box about 3/4 full of potting soil. Now it's time to plant.
What should I line my wooden planter box with? ›
Also, add a few holes in the sides of the container near the bottom. Line the planter with porous landscape fabric: The landscape fabric will allow water to drain out of the container while preventing wet soil from directly contacting the wood and reducing its lifespan.
Should I put anything in the bottom of my planter box? ›
One of the best things to put at the bottom of a planter for drainage is broken pieces of pot. You can use any unwanted plant pots or chipped crockery for this – simply smash them up into small to medium-sized pieces. Adding a layer of broken pieces of pot like this will prevent compost loss out of the drainage holes.
To waterproof the inside of a wood planter box, you can use a variety of methods such as lining it with plastic sheeting, applying a waterproof sealant, or using a waterproofing membrane. Choose a method based on the type of wood and your preference.
Do wooden planter boxes need drainage holes? ›
Make sure your wooden planter has drainage holes, so plants don't become waterlogged. However, if positioning your planter in full sun, you may consider lining the inside of the planter with pieces of old compost bag, to keep the compost moist and reduce the need for regular watering.
What is the best material for raised planters? ›
Timber is the most popular material for constructing raised beds, but there are several other options:
- Stone: both natural stone and stone prepared for wall construction can be used. ...
- Brick: strong, durable and can be used to create curved beds.
Untreated wood: Cedar and redwood are popular choices because they naturally resist rot and insects, and they do not need chemical treatments that could potentially harm your plants.
What is the longest lasting type of raised bed? ›
Stone Raised Beds
Stone and brick raised beds can pretty much last forever. Nothing beats these materials for longevity, no matter what type of temperature ranges, humidity, and sun exposure your bed will experience.
