All Types Of Planters And Which One You Should Buy

A planter is a container that holds soil, which in turn can hold plants. There are many different types of planters to choose from when planting your garden or making your patio more beautiful.

Designs

Window Boxes

They are narrow planters that fit neatly in a window space to provide an attractive feature of your garden or home. They can be moved around to suit the seasons and placed away from direct sunlight, but close enough so that you can enjoy looking at them for a while during the day.

Window boxes are usually made out of wood which requires maintenance to avoid rotting and splitting. It will also need to be painted if left outside for a long period of time in order to protect the wood from the elements of nature.

If you want permanent window boxes, then consider using metal as they are strong and durable and do not rot or split with exposure to any elements of nature or changes in temperature.

Just be aware of scratches and stains, as they will last a long time.

Hamper Planters

These planters can hold multiple stacks of a single crop, making them good for furnishing large areas. Usually they are used in homes with larger gardens and farms as these crops can be reached from any side.

Some varieties include the bottomless, which needs to be refilled manually, and the semi-automatic, which refills itself when needed. Some interior designs use the semi-automatic variety as a way to make major storage space with very little effort.

A common theme in hamper planters is that they are vertical, and can often be made from stone or metal instead of wood.

Another theme is that they can be placed on their side, and these are called wall planters.

 Wall Planters

These are usually used as a decorative feature and you will often find people hanging plants in them. They can be attached to walls with screws or nails, but they do not need to be permanent fixtures as they can also be easily removed if you want to transplant any of the plants inside.

Wall planters come in all shapes and sizes so there is something for everyone. They can be made from a variety of different materials, such as wood, metal and plastic; they are also available in a range of colours and designs so you have plenty of choice to suit any taste or preference.

Wall planters do not require much maintenance if they are used inside the house. If left outside then they will require regular cleaning and painting to protect them from the elements of nature.

Wagon Planters

These can store a large number of seeds, but only one or two stacks. They have jumpy behavior, meaning they will try to leave the wagon and return once all seeds have been removed. The movement of the wagon has to be stopped using redstone in order for it not to get stuck.

Some varieties include the tram-wagon, which is pulled by a Minecart with TNT. Wall planters are uncommon and usually act as decoration more than anything else, but they do exist.

Some wagons have room for only one type of seed, and are called monorail planters.

Vertical Planting Towers

Vertical towers can hold many stacks of a single crop, and can grow them vertically. When the seeds grow into plants they will be picked up by an automated system that transports them to an area where they are stored until needed.

These towers can reach great heights, some topping out at over 50 blocks in height. Some varieties include the conveyor tower, which uses a conveyor belt to transport the grown plants to an area where they are stored.

Another variety is the hanging planter, which hangs from rails on cliffs or above lava and water in order to get maximum sunlight exposure. It can have as many as 8 tiers but due to lag some designs only use 5 of them.

Though they are designed to store only one type of seed, they can often be built to hold multiple types. If it is possible for the tower to reach all areas of a biome this will usually be done. Vertical planting towers rely on the availability of water and sunlight, but some designs use lava as well.

Some towers try to create a natural look, and others are designed to resemble giant machines.

Railing Planters

Railing planters are used to decorate walkways and balconies. They can hold up to three stacks of a single crop, but they have jumpy behavior, meaning they will try to leave the railing and return once all seeds have been removed. The movement of the seed has to be stopped using redstone in order for it not to get stuck.

In some designs the seeds are removed automatically, but usually they are hand-picked and replanted manually. Railing planters can be used to grow many different crops, though those that have an outer frame show more of a single stack than larger ones with no frame.

They usually have one or two tiers which are often shaped into a curved arc.

Terrariums

Very small planters can be made out of glass or wooden slabs. They are built next to walls in order to allow light through their transparent materials, and often have multiple tiers built with colored glass blocks.

They are usually built in a circular shape, and some designs use large towers to hold them up. They have no jumpy behavior, and can be placed anywhere.

A variation on this concept is the decorative wall planter which is a large block of glass or other transparent material that only has one seed slot in it, but still allows light to pass through it.

Raised Beds

Raised beds are another type of planter made from strong materials such as stone or wood. They can have as many layers as needed for the crop to grow properly, and they often have boxes made from different types of clay placed at the bottom to help with drainage.

When built on sand or dirt it is important to cover them with a layer of gravel so they don't sink.

Some types have a top layer which is covered with slabs or fences to allow mobs to spawn in order to prevent the crops from getting eaten.

Materials

Ceramics

These types of planters are typically made from clay. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Earthenware - Very similar to ceramics however they tend to be less expensive. The upside to these types of planters is that they are easier to make, and thus cheaper. The downside is often the quality; they tend to be more porous and some say their colors fade faster than ceramic planters.

These types of clay planters are usually made from 'clay slip' which is what's left over after they are fired. Because they tend to be less porous, their colors tend to stay a bit better than earthenware.

The downside is that these types of planters take longer to dry and fire compared to earthenware and ceramics, which means often they can come out misshapen or cracked (which for some only adds to their appeal).

The upside is they are strong and don't become brittle in colder climates.

Plastics

Made from polymers such as polyethylene, these planters can be molded into varied shapes with different textures, colors, and patterns.

This type of planter can be found at garden centers in everything from small 3" containers to large 30 gallon round tubs. They are durable so they do not tend to crack or chip. They are also very light weight compared to other types of planters which means they can be easily moved around your patio or garden.

The downside is they can be prone to fading, and often are not UV resistant so if used outdoors may fade or discolor over time. Their other downside is that they tend to crack as the temperature changes which can lead to soil leaks and plant death.

Stainless Steel

They are heavy duty and very durable. The material does not require any cleaning or maintenance other than an occasional dusting to keep them looking good for a long time.

These planters are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, subject to the weather conditions of that particular region. They are heavy, so outdoor planters should be placed where they will not be knocked over by accident.

These planters have a very long life and can outlive any other pot material. They can be used outside as they do not rust, crack or dent with age. If the surface becomes scratched it is resistant to stains and minor scratches. It is very easy to clean by washing with hot soapy water and a soft brush.

Wood

They are an attractive decorative planter that will look good in any garden. They are generally lightweight so can be moved around the garden or home to suit your needs. If treated regularly, then wood does not require much maintenance and can last a long time.

Wood is not an appropriate material for outdoor planters because it will rot if left exposed to the weather. It also requires regular maintenance, such as painting every few years. If you are interested in planting flowers or herbs close to the house or under windows, then this might be a good choice for you.

Wood planters are considered low maintenance and so will not require a lot of time in the garden. They can also be painted or treated to add decorative detail if you have a creative side that' s keen to show off.

Stone

These planters usually come in three different finishes, natural, polished and rough hewn. They are not commonly used due to the high maintenance they require. They are not suitable for outdoor use and need regular cleaning and sealing.

If you choose a weathered finish, then this will add character to your planters but you will have to keep them clean.

Stone planters are heavier than other options and so you need to consider how they will be moved around the garden or home, if at all. They can make a statement in your home or work environment with their decorative look and if you choose a worn finish then these will suit an outdoor setting better than a polished finish.

Copper Or Brass

These types of planters will never corrode or rust, so are very hard wearing. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments and they add a touch of class to your garden or home.

Copper is a soft metal so you need to treat it to protect the surface from environmental factors such as water droplets, rain, snow and sun. It is usually lacquered in a coloured coating but this does not provide protection against the elements of nature for long.

If you intend to place these planters outside then they will need to be treated with a waterproofing compound or painted regularly to protect the metal from the changing environment.

 

FAQS

Q: Which type of planter should I use?

A:  It depends on what you want it to do. Vertical planters are best for growing large amounts of crops, while rail planters work best as a decoration.

Q: How do I know when to clear my planters?

A: You should clear them as soon as they have finished producing the seeds. If you let them turn into wheat or cactus, they will no longer be able to grow crops of any kind and will be useless. Also, if you wait too long the planters will spawn other mobs.

Q: How big can planters get?

A: They can be as large as you like, though they do slow down the game more and more. The larger they are, the less lag will occur.

Q: How do I replant seeds automatically?

A: Add a hopper to the bottom of the planter that picks up stacks of seeds one by one and places them back into the planter when all of the seeds are out.

These can be used to make a self-filling hopper which is placed below a chest or other item which contains the planting tools, such as shears or a hoe.

Q: What if there are no air blocks beneath the planter?

A: The seeds will not fall and the planter will spam the chat. Instead, it is best to make a small cave underneath for them to fall into.

Q: How do I fix the jumping behavior?

A: The seeds will jump once all of them have been planted, but you can also make an item frame beneath the planter and place a piece of redstone there to keep the seeds in place.

Q: How do I get my planters to look good?

A: It depends on how you want them to look. If they are vertical, then it is easiest to make some dirt or sand columns and add slabs around the outside of each level. You can also use square frames with glass blocks for a fancier effect.

If they are rail planters, then you can place things like colored fences or blocks around the outside to add color and make them look fancier.

Conclusion

Planters are useful additions to any farm or plot of land, no matter how large or small. They allow the user to grow larger quantities of food without having to do all of the planting manually, and they are ideal for both decoration and utility purposes. The guide above should help you to master them all!