By Katie Barton | Published Sep 19, 2022 9:53 AM

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An easy way to add greenery to an outdoor space is with a railing planter. They can house colorful flowers, herbs, or vegetable plants. Quick and easy to mount, they attach either by a cutout in the planter, an adjustable arm, brackets, or hooks.

Though there are deck-railing planters, porch-railing planters, balcony-railing planters, patio-railing planters, and adjustable railing planters to fit even some of the smallest or largest outdoor spaces, not all planters work for all railing widths and home styles. Keep reading to find out what features to consider when selecting a new railing planter, and check out some of the best railing planters by material, size, and more below.

Before purchasing a planter for a porch, deck, or balcony railing, shoppers will want to take into account a few factors to help narrow the choices to the best options for their particular needs. First, the planter must fit the width of the railing. Overall size, planter material, and mounting method are also important.

Railing planters come in small to extra-large sizes. At the smaller end are planters with hooks that hold lightweight 3-inch to 6-inch pots. At the larger end of the spectrum are rectangular planters that span up to 4 feet.

Here’s a look at the most common types of railing planters by size.

There are four ways to mount a railing planter: using a bracket, adjustable arms, a hook, or a cutout in the bottom of the planter. The mounting method is one of the most important features because not all planters fit all railing sizes.

No matter the mounting method, look for the product’s minimum and maximum railing width to ensure the planter will securely attach.

Railing planters come in several materials, including metal, wood, and plastic. Plastic planters hold up well to the weather, and many models include ultraviolet (UV)-resistant additives, which prevent the planter from fading. In addition, they come in many colors, making it easy to find an option to fit any style or house.

Metal railing planters come in small hanging pots, large rectangles, and long, flat iron with coco liners. Metal, especially iron, is a long-lasting material that suits many styles, including modern, traditional, or rustic, depending on the design.

Wooden railing planters are available in numerous stains and paint colors. If using a wood planter, add a plastic liner to protect the interior from moisture damage.

The most important aspects to look for in a planter include mounting size and style, but some other nifty features can help a planter stand apart.

Since railing planters come in many sizes, materials, and styles, the list of some of the best on the market are organized by category to make selecting the best railing planter easier for the buyer.

The Apollo Exports International adjustable railing planter is made with UV-resistant plastic. It’s self-watering, with a reservoir tank that can hold 6 cups of water. The reservoir tank has an automatic overflow feature so excess water can escape.

This planter will fit deck and balcony railings from 1 to 4 inches wide and can be used on metal, wood, composite, and chain-link fences. The arms on the planter are adjustable and don’t require tools. The planters come in five colors and three sizes.

The Apollo International adjustable planter is at the top of the list for its durability, self-watering features, and ease of installation.

Get the Apollo Exports International adjustable railing planter on Amazon.

The Somto large vintage hanging flowerpots come in a pack of four. Each planter holds a flowerpot up to 6.1 inches. These pots have detachable hooks, which means flower enthusiasts can use them as ordinary pots or as railing planters.

The pots are made from galvanized steel and painted in a rustic finish with a color choice of off-white or black. Each pot has a drainage hole drilled into the bottom.

Though these pots are ideal for a rustic or vintage flair, they are small. The other downside is the hook allows for a railing of only 2.5 inches or less.

Get the Somto railing planters on Amazon.

The HFHome Planter features an open-weave “X” design and a coconut-, or coco-, fiber liner. Coco-fiber plant liners retain moisture to keep plants watered but also allow for proper drainage, making them an asset.

This planter is 24 inches long and has adjustable brackets that fit 2-inch to 5.5-inch-wide railings. Sold in a pack of two, it comes with zip ties for custom mounting and extra security.

Get the HFHome railing planters on Amazon.

These iron hanging flowerpots from Dahey come in either a pack of three or five. They feature two hooks per pot that gardeners can hang on top of a fence, or on deck or porch railings. Each planter is 10.5 inches long, large enough to be filled with a variety of plants, including colorful flower gardens and herb gardens.

The rectangular pots come in black or white and have predrilled drainage holes, and more holes can be drilled, if needed. Hooks will need to be attached before hanging. These flowerpots also can also be used as tabletop planters.

Get the Dahey railing planters on Amazon.

For those looking for wicker railing planters, this planter from Apollo Exports International provides a natural wicker, or rattan, look with the durability of plastic, which can be ideal for quickly adding low-maintenance texture and a small garden of plants or herbs to an outdoor space.

The Apollo Exports rattan-look railing planter features a hidden self-watering reservoir. The reservoir tray is separate from the plant, allowing only the roots access to the water. The brackets are adjustable and will fit railings as wide as 4 inches. There’s no need for tools because the bracket adjusts by moving a plastic pin.

Get the Apollo Exports International rattan-look railing planter on Amazon or Wayfair.

Veradek offers a railing planter with a simple design in three color choices: light gray, black, and espresso. The lightweight planters come in a pack of two; each is 70 percent recycled plastic, UV-resistant, and frost-resistant. They also are rated for use in temperatures from -30 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

These planters have predrilled drainage holes and adjustable brackets that accommodate railings from 1 inch to 5.5 inches wide. The brackets also allow for adjustable angles. Each planter is 36 inches long and can be recycled.

Get the Veradek railing planter on Amazon (2-pack), The Home Depot, or Wayfair.

With a classic design, the Panacea flat iron window or deck planter can fit many home styles, and, with its 4-foot span, it can be ideal for outdoor spaces with long railings. The planter features a classic metal bar design with a coco-fiber liner. The coco liner helps plants retain moisture while providing adequate drainage.

The steel Panacea planter includes mounting hardware that works with railings or as a window box. With such a long span, this planter can hold a lot of plants, including an herb garden or a mix of greenery.

Get the Panacea railing planter on Amazon.

The Bloem Modica 12-inch rail planter features a circular design with a bottom cutout, allowing growers to maximize small spaces. The compression fit works with 2-inch and 4-inch railings, and the deep 8.75-inch height allows plenty of room for plants to establish roots.

The Bloem Modica planter comes in several color choices, including brick red and white. No tools are required, as this planter fits over a railing and can be secured with zip ties, if necessary. The planter is made of plastic resin and is UV-resistant.

Get the Bloem railing planter on Amazon or at The Home Depot.

The United Frames and Products ridge rail planters are made with high-quality plastic that’s frost- and UV-resistant. These polypropylene planters span 22.8 inches in length, are available in four colors (white, walnut, charcoal, and mushroom), and come in a set of two. With their minimalist styling, they can complement many types of home decor.

Easy to install and remove, the modular ridge rail planters feature a bottom cutout that securely fits round and flat railings, and fences up to 2.75 inches wide. The lightweight planters can also be zip-tied in place for extra security.

Get the United Frames and Products railing planter on Amazon.

Making a DIY railing planter doesn’t have to be intricate or costly. There are several types of mounting brackets that attach to any kind of planter. An easy way to make a semi-custom planter is to find a flower box, add mounting brackets, and secure it to the railing.

DIY enthusiasts can also build custom planters from wood. For design inspiration, check out the best overall planters available. To construct a wooden planter, first decide on a size. Then buy lumber, trim each board to the appropriate size, attach the panels with construction adhesive and fasteners, and allow the glue to dry. Once dry, drill drainage holes in the bottom of the planter, seal with a UV-protecting stain, and add mounting brackets. Finally, consider adding a plastic liner to the box before filling it with soil and plants.

Our top railing planter pick is the Apollo Exports International railing planter. It has adjustable arms that fit railings from 1 to 4 inches, is easy to attach, contains a self-watering reservoir, and is made with UV-resistant plastic. For those looking for a less-expensive option, our best budget pick—the Somto railing planter—is an easy-to-hang option that comes in a pack of four.

Railing planters come in many shapes and sizes, and with different mounting hardware. We looked for planters that can securely attach to railings and support the weight of the soil and plants. Since not all railings are the same width, we looked for products that fit different-size railings, from 1 inch to 5.5 inches wide.

When searching for a railing planter, one of the main criteria shoppers consider is style. So we explored planters for different categories, including material, size, and design. For the best overall, we chose a planter with many popular features, including a self-watering reservoir tank and adjustable arms that fit various railing widths.

If railing planters aren’t secure, they can fall off the balcony or deck, ruining the plants they hold and becoming a potential safety hazard. This is why mounting hardware is a top concern. Before purchasing a railing planter, ensure the brackets are compatible with the railing width. Also, take note of the maximum weight the planter can hold. The mounting hardware won’t offer proper support if the planter is too heavy.

Gardeners can add extra security to their planter by using zip ties. Depending on the planter’s design, zip ties can be added to the bottom of the pot and secured underneath the railing, so they’re out of sight.

Here are some tips for keeping a railing planter secure:

Railing planters add beauty to outdoor spaces and provide a place to grow flowers or an herb garden. They are easy to install as long as their mounting hardware is compatible with the railing width. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about railing planters.

Railing planters attach via mounting brackets, adjustable arms, or bottom cutouts. Follow the installation directions based on the type of mounting hardware. Gardeners can stabilize the planter by adding zip ties.

Consider hanging pots rather than large planters to protect a deck railing. Also, keep planters lightweight and occasionally move them to different spots.

Railing planters are suitable for herb gardens or flower arrangements.

Create a drainage hole in an outdoor planter by drilling into the bottom of the pot. Consider adding a coco-fiber liner if the planter has an open weave.

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