What to Plant in Tall Planters

Gardening continues to grow in popularity among homeowners — and tall planters are leading the charge. These stylish, space-smart containers have become go-to favorites for adding structure, impact, and greenery to modern spaces.

Tall planters have been a staple in indoor and outdoor landscaping for centuries. They're not just containers for plants; they're statement pieces capable of making bold statements.

"Tall planters are popular because they let you go vertical, which is perfect when space is limited," says Andrew Berger, product manager at Root & Vessel. "People love the dramatic look, especially near entryways or on patios."

Tall planters can grace an entryway or accentuate indoor living spaces with their unique blend of aesthetics and functionality. With various designs and materials available, tall planters can complement any decor.

Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important things to remember when working with tall planters:

• Tall planters work best for deep-rooted plants like trees, shrubs, and large ornamentals.
• Use filler in the bottom to improve drainage and reduce weight — plastic bottles or foam blocks work well.
• Best plants for tall planters include Alberta spruce, Bird of Paradise, bamboo, and palm trees.
• For full, layered looks, try the thriller–filler–spiller method with grasses, dracaena, or canna lilies.
• Use tall planters to frame doorways, define walkways, or add vertical structure to small spaces.

Tall Planters – How Their Shape Benefits Gardeners

Tall planters are ideal for plants with deep root systems because they offer plenty of vertical room for roots to expand naturally. The increased height also promotes better airflow and drainage, helping maintain healthy soil conditions.

This makes tall planters especially well-suited for trees, shrubs, and other larger plant varieties.

In compact spaces, tall planters create a sense of scale and structure. Their vertical shape draws the eye upward, helping smaller areas feel more open and intentional.

Positioned along walkways or flanking doorways, they naturally frame the space and add visual weight in a clean, modern way.

Thanks to their upright form and sleek profiles, tall planters pair beautifully with minimalist design styles that favor simplicity and clean geometry.

Why Tall Planters Work – Creating a Focal Point

Tall planters elevate small or trailing plants to eye level, creating a focal point that draws attention. They help define space, frame architectural features, and bring visual balance to both minimal and lush designs.

Indoors, they add vertical dimension without consuming valuable floor space.

Benefits of Tall Planters:

• Add height and drama to design
• Perfect for tight entryways or balconies
• Reduce bending and back strain
• Work across all seasons with the right plant mix
• Complement modern, traditional, or rustic styles

“Our customers love using tall planters to create everything from statement porches to apartment garden walls,” says Berger.

How to Choose the Right Tall Planter

When selecting a tall planter, consider size, material, and placement. You can purchase tall planters in any number of materials. Some examples include:

• Resin: Durable, lightweight, and all-weather safe (learn more about resin planters)
• Ceramic: Elegant but heavy; best for stable spots
• Metal: Sleek and modern, but it can heat up in the sun

Where size and placement are concerned, this chart provides a nice summary:

What to Put Inside a Tall Planter - Before the Plants

One of the arguable downsides to tall planters is that a plant’s roots won’t occupy the extended length. The excess space does little to support the plant, but can add substantial weight to the planter.

To keep planters lightweight and improve drainage, don’t fill the entire thing with soil.

Berger explains, "Using lightweight filler in the bottom not only makes the planter easier to move, but it also helps with drainage."

Layering Tips:

1. Add lightweight filler like plastic bottles, foam blocks, or packing peanuts (in a mesh bag)
2. Cover with landscape fabric
3. Add potting mix to the planting zone
4. Ensure drainage holes are clear or use a self-watering system

What Plants Work Best in Tall Planters?

Tall planters can handle a variety of plants. Larger, vertical plants like small trees and shrubs perform well in tall planters. They also accentuate dramatic plants like ornamental grasses, bamboo, and tall flowers.

As you might expect, tall planters provide ample room for root growth, making them ideal for deep-rooted plants. They can retain moisture longer than other planters, meaning less frequent watering.

Some companies, like Root & Vessel, even offer self-watering planters. These decorative planters eliminate the guesswork of watering and improve plant health.

Overwatering is the most common mistake made by plant owners. Plant roots may die due to bacteria and fungi that grow at the bottom of a planter with excessive water.

Planting Ideas for Tall Planters

Now, let's get to the fun part – what to plant in tall planters. You should check your zone to ensure plants can survive outdoors.

Single Statement Plants for Tall Planters

You can keep things simple by finding the perfect statement plant. Any of these plants works nicely as a focal point in a tall planter:

• Alberta Spruce: This conical evergreen has dense, bright needles. In a tall planter, you can use it to accent entries and flank door posts. You can also add lights to celebrate the holiday season.
• Bird of Paradise: This eye-catching plant has large leaves and spiky, colorful blooms resembling bird wings. You can select from different varieties with white, red, orange, blue, and yellow petals.
• Bamboo: Fast-growing bamboo is lush and perfect for privacy screens.
• Palm Tree: These striking container plants make a tropical addition to outdoor living spaces. They make striking containers for decks, patios, and porches.

Thriller, Filler, and Spiller Planting Options for Tall Planters

This technique creates a well-rounded, upscale look in containers.

The thriller is the star of the planter, while the fillers add texture and mass, often weaving through the thriller. The spiller anchors the planter, adding even more texture and dimension.

Purple Fountain Grass

Grasses generally work well in tall planters, but purple fountain grass is one of the favorite plants for containers. With its arcing spike, purple leaves, and purple/tan seed heads, it takes center stage.

You can substitute Karl Foerster or Shenandoah Red Grass for a similar effect.

For contrast, you can fill in around the grass with petunias, marigolds, calibrachoa, and other flowering plants.

Then, top things off with a spiller like a sweet potato vine, such as Margarita Lime.

Dracaena

The plant's foliage can be green or have green, cream, red, or yellow edges. Dracaena can reach five to six feet.

It pairs nicely with impatiens. Coral bells are another good companion, adding even more texture and color. You can round things out with a trailing plant like creeping jenny or sweet alyssum for fragrance.

Canna Lily

These plants flower from June to October. They add height and dramatic foliage in shades ranging from green to burgundy. Flowers run the spectrum, including red, orange, yellow, and pink.

Cannas pair well with geraniums, begonias, coleus, and lantana. Use a contrasting color or match the flower color of your canna for a more monotone look. Then add a spiller with ivy or vinca to complement the tall planter.

Roses

Tall planters are perfect for roses with deep roots and you can select from numerous colors. Roses can get leggy, so you can use filler plants to hide that concern.

Catmint and lavender hide the bare legs and add even more fragrance to the planter. Heliotropes, petunias, or lantana do the same while adding a spiller effect to complement the planter.

Root & Vessel: Decorative Tall Planters for Indoors and Out

Root & Vessel Ella tall planters feature:

• Self-watering system built-in
• Four sizes and multiple color options
• Lightweight, durable resin with a marbled finish
• Indoor and outdoor versatility
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

Need help finding the perfect tall planter for your space?
Shop our full collection of tall planters and find a look that suits your style. Take advantage of our sale on our 10-inch gray tall planter, now only $17.00.