What to Grow in Railing Planters
Are you looking to add some color to your deck space? Or maybe you live in an apartment with limited planting space for flowers or a vegetable garden. Well, there’s a convenient solution that won’t cost you an arm and a leg—railing planters.
There’s no limit to what you can grow using deck railing planters. A railing planter will do the trick if you’ve been looking to dress up a dull deck space with some of your favorite flowers or want to grow some herbs to spruce up some of your dishes.
Over-the-railing planters are also a plus if critters like to chew your plants. Placing those plants on a deck railing gets them off the ground and provides protection.
Quick Tips for Growing in Railing Planters
Thinking about adding railing planters? Here’s what to remember:
- You can grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables—even on compact balconies.
- Match plants to sun or shade for lasting results.
- Use lightweight soil and proper drainage to prevent root rot.
Why Railing Planters Are Popular
Railing planters have become increasingly popular among homeowners and apartment dwellers alike. They’re another simple way to create an outdoor oasis with decorative planters and a welcoming, personalized retreat.
Here’s why:
- Space-saving: They maximize vertical space for small decks or balconies.
- Aesthetic value: Add color and curb appeal to outdoor areas.
- Privacy: Create a natural barrier between neighbors.
- Ease of use: Many designs require no tools to install.
- Versatility: Grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables even in compact areas.
“Railing planters consistently outsell every other style we make,” says Andrew Berger, Product Manager at Root & Vessel. “They’re practical, affordable, and instantly transform any deck or balcony.”
The Best Materials for Railing Planters
Deck railing planters come in a variety of materials.
If you buy a railing planter online or from a local garden center, you’ll want to pay attention to the planter’s material.
What Are the Different Types of Railing Planters?
Coco Liner Planters
They’re popular and inexpensive. Typically, you insert the liners into a metal-framed holder. One major pro of coconut liners is their sustainability, as they’re made from coconut husks.
The liners also provide plants with exceptional aeration while retaining water. They’re also pH-neutral.
Caution: some liners are soaked in salt water. So, make sure you rinse the liner for your deck railing planter in fresh water, or it could affect your plants. In addition, some coco liners may include chemical agents.
Metal Railing Planters
These planters look good but present some concerns:
- They can rust.
- Rust can oxidize and damage your plant’s roots.
- Metal railing planters get hot. So, you’ll need to water more frequently. Plus, the excess heat can burn your plants.
If you elect to use metal containers, make sure you use a planter box liner.
Wood Deck Railing Planters
Wood planters add a natural touch. However, make sure you purchase quality railing planters, or they’ll deteriorate quickly, and you’ll have to replace them. Again, a planter box liner can come in handy.
Some wood planters can also contain harmful chemicals. But generally, wood railing planters are a sound choice,
particularly if made from a water-resistant species like cedar.
Plastic Railing Planters
A reasonably inexpensive option, these railing planters come in different colors and sizes. Avoid cheap, lightweight plastics, as they won’t hold up. Instead, opt for railing box planters made from heavyweight plastics or a stone and resin blend like Artstone.
Mounting Your Deck Railing Planter
How you mount your railing planter depends mainly on the type of railing you have. For example, if you have wooden deck railings, it’s a simple task to use screws to secure the planter.
Brackets provide an excellent alternative if you prefer not to damage your wooden railings with screws. For example, brackets can straddle the railing. In addition, some brackets use an L-shape to hang railing planters on one side of the railing.
Over-The-Railing Planters Make Installation Simple
Some railing planters, like those from Root & Vessel, use a straddle-style design to create over-the-railing planters. They fit securely over standard deck railings, including 2” x 4” and 2” x 6”. In addition, the straddle design makes it easy to lift and remove the railing planter boxes.
“Our over-the-railing design makes installation simple and secure,” says Andrew Berger. “Customers appreciate that they can set up their planters in minutes without tools or hardware.”
Over-the-deck railing planters are made from a high-grade, fade-resistant plastic blend. So they’ll never lose their color or become brittle from too much sun. Equally important, your plants will remain cool because the planter boxes won’t absorb heat.
How Do You Plant in Railing Planters?
Like any planter pot, you need to pay attention to some basics to keep your plants healthy and productive.
Match Plants to Sun or Shade
Understand the lighting conditions. Some plants will fare better in direct sunlight, while others prefer shade.
Moreover, the more direct sunlight, the quicker the soil will dry out. So, you’ll need to ensure your plants get a fresh drink of water more often. Add mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture and regulate temperature.
If you’re concerned about run-off from the drainage, you can place a drip tray under railing planters to catch any stray water.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Make sure your railing planter has adequate drainage. Most deck railing planters come with pre-drilled drainage holes. If not, you’ll need to drill holes. Otherwise, you risk root rot if the water sits in the planter’s bottom with no means of escape.
Some planters, such as Root & Vessel’s Countryside Railing Planter, come with removable drainage plugs. You can leave them in if your planter isn’t exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Feed Your Plants Regularly
Plants lose nutrients even in the best potting soil. So, replenish those nutrients with a good, slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote. It’s available at most major retailers and garden centers.
Don’t Overplant Your Railing Planter
Give your plants and their roots room to grow. Here’s a good rule of thumb:
- 10–12" planters: 3–4 plants
- 14–16" planters: 4–6 plants
- 16–20" planters: 6–8 plants
How to Fill a Railing Planter Box
Filling your planter correctly helps your flowers or herbs thrive all season. Follow these quick steps:
- Start with a lightweight potting mix: Avoid using garden soil, as it’s too dense for a container.
- Add slow-release fertilizer: Mix it into the soil to provide steady nutrients over time.
- Check drainage holes: Make sure they’re open and working to prevent water buildup.
- Leave space for watering: Stop about an inch from the top so water doesn’t overflow.
- Top with mulch: Add a thin layer to retain moisture and keep soil cool.
When filled correctly, your railing planter provides healthy roots, balanced moisture, and a perfect foundation for lasting blooms.
Want to learn more? Check out our post, 5 Tips for Growing Plants in Railing Planters, for ways to keep your plants thriving.
Best Plants for Every Light Condition
| Light Conditions | Best Flower Choices | Herbs & Edibles | Trailing / Accent Plants |
| Full Sun | Zinnias, Marigolds, Petunias, Salvia | Basil, Thyme, Cherry Tomatoes | Sweet Potato Vine, Calibrachoa |
| Partial Shade | Geraniums, Coleus, Begonia | Parsley, Mint, Lettuce | Ivy, Creeping Jenny |
| Full Shade | Impatiens, Hosta | Mint | Ferns, Begonia |
Popular Trailing Plants for Over-the-Railing Planters
Because they’re off the ground, railing planters are perfect for trailing plants. Mixed with more vertical plants, they add more dimension to the space and the planter. Consider using some of these reliable trailing plants:
- Petunias
- Ivy
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Fuschia
- Verbena
- Calibrachoa
- Vinca
- Creeping Jenny
- Lobelia
- Begonia
The Best Flowers for Railing Planters
Use plants with different textures, colors, and fragrances. These are some favorites for deck railing planters.
Although these plants grow as annuals in higher planting zones, you can include perennials like heuchera and miniature conifers in railing planters.
- Dusty Miller: Their silver foliage contrasts nicely with colorful blooms. They’re easy to grow, reaching heights of 6 to 18 inches, depending on the variety.
- Licorice Plant: Like Dusty Miller plants, licorice plants add a silver hue to planters. They also have felted foliage.
- Impatiens: Impatiens are typically known as shade-loving annuals. But Sunpatiens can handle full sun. Both come in numerous colors, including reds, pinks, whites, oranges, and purple.
- Snapdragons: Available in solid or mixed colors, snapdragons add colorful spikes to deck railing planters.
- Zinnias: A summertime favorite, zinnias come in several colors, many with large flower heads. They also attract pollinators, such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
- Salvia: Another excellent pollinator, salvia is also drought-tolerant. So, if you forget to water your railing planter, it'll stand a better chance of surviving than other plants.
- Begonia: A shade-lover, begonias have waxy leaves surrounded by rose-like blooms in red, yellow, white, pink, and orange.
- Coleus: Although coleus flowers, they’re more prized for their colorful foliage. Versatile, coleus grow in the sun or shade with well-drained soil. They fill in gaps beautifully in a railing planter with their rich colors.
- Geranium: A summer staple, geraniums are easy-care, abundant bloomers from spring until fall.
- Lavender: Lavender adds tall spikes of purple flowers to any railing flower box, with one added advantage. They smell awesome. They also attract bees and other pollinators.
For creative planting inspiration, see 10 Creative Ways to Use Railing Planters.
Five Vegetables to Grow in a Deck Railing Planter
If you’re looking for practical use, you can grow edible plants in planters for railings. So you can have herbs near your grill, ready to pick to spruce up your favorite grilled foods. Or, if you have limited space, you can grow tomatoes, lettuce, and other nutritious plants in a mini garden.
Some of your best options for organic gardening include:
- Tomatoes: You can readily grow them in railing planters, especially smaller varieties like cherry tomatoes. So, you can pick and eat delicious, juicy tomatoes whenever you like.
- Carrots: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, carrots make an excellent raw veggie.
- Herbs: Plant some of your favorite herbs and spices in deck railing planters. You can keep them on hand to add to any cuisine and give a burst of flavor.
- Leafy Vegetables: Spinach and lettuce are easy to grow and harvest in planters for railings. Spinach has numerous health advantages.
- Peas: Apart from being a nutritious addition to any mini garden, peas add unique greenery to a railing planter with their natural sprawl.
Your options don’t end with these five. You can also fill your over-the-railing planters with radishes, turnips, Swiss chard, cucumbers, zucchini, and even compact strawberries.
“Railing planters make growing food fun and accessible, even if all you have is a balcony,” says Berger. “Choose compact or trailing varieties, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can harvest.”
Brighten Your Outdoor Space with Root & Vessel Railing Planters
Railing planters make it easy to turn any deck, balcony, or patio into a beautiful, thriving space. Whether you’re growing bright flowers, fresh herbs, or compact vegetables, they add color and convenience to your everyday life.
Explore Root & Vessel railing planters to find the perfect design for your outdoor space. Start creating your own living balcony garden today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Railing Planters
Still have questions about growing in railing planters? We’ve got answers.
What can I grow in a railing planter?
Almost anything that fits: flowers like zinnias and petunias, herbs like basil and mint, and compact veggies like lettuce or tomatoes.
How do I keep railing planters from drying out?
Use a moisture-retaining potting mix, water often, and top with mulch to lock in moisture.
Do I need tools to install them?
No. Root & Vessel railing planters securely straddle the railing—no tools or brackets required.