The 9 Best Barrel Planters for Your Outdoor Space
Here’s how to add a homey touch to your garden, patio, deck, or porch.
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A minimalist ceramic planter or sleek, raised garden bed may suit those who prefer modern décor. But if your style leans toward classic country or rustic and you want to avoid railing planters or window boxes, a barrel planter will add cozy vibes to your outdoor space or garden.
They feature charming details that recollect authentic whisky or wine barrels, from black hammered metal hoops to handsome wood grain; as a bonus, even high-quality hardwood options are relatively inexpensive. Whether you're looking for a set of large barrel planters to flank your front entrance, or a trio in various sizes to create a decorative grouping on your patio, we have you covered.
What to Consider
The biggest decision to make prior to shopping is whether to go with wood or resin. The majority of the wood options we cover are made of acacia—an attractive, durable wood that’s harder than oak, walnut, and maple, and naturally resists water, mold, and mildew.
That’s not to say it’s waterproof, or even close to it, though. If you truly want a barrel planter that requires almost zero maintenance (and is a heck of a lot lighter), then go with resin.
Beyond that, it’s all about size, shape, and design. Wood barrel planters typically have decorative black metal hoops ringing the top and base. Almost all have drainage holes in the bottom. Finally, planters are sold both individually and in sets, so decide how much planting you're going to be doing before you purchase.
How We Selected
We’ve selected top-quality barrel planters with an average customer rating of four stars or more. We feature planters in a range of sizes and styles, and at a variety of price points, though all are relatively inexpensive, individually priced at $60 or less. In terms of special features, there isn’t much that distinguishes one planter from another. However, if buying a sustainably sourced product is a priority, some options are made from recycled plastic or wood harvested from responsibly managed forests.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 9.5 inches
- Material: Acacia wood
- Shape: Round
This round acacia wood barrel planter has gorgeous color variation and grain. It’s also a great value for its quality, priced at under $55 at the time of this writing. The planter is treated with oil, which helps protect the wood and give it a rich golden patina over time.
It features black metal hoops screwed into the planks, along with a drainage hole at the bottom to prevent roots from rotting. The planter is nearly 16 inches wide and it’s also sold in a set of two.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 20.5 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches
- Material: Resin
- Shape: Conical
Made of durable, high-density resin, this barrel planter is attractive enough to be mistaken for real hardwood. It features a textured walnut finish, accented with black hammered faux-metal hoops.
The planter is weather-resistant and roughly 20.5 inches wide, coated with a protective finish to keep it from fading in the sun, plus there's a drainage hole at the bottom. In addition to easy maintenance, another plus of going faux is that it’s much more lightweight. This planter weighs less than five pounds, which you’ll appreciate once it’s filled with soil.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 16.1 x 16.1 x 12.2 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Shape: Round
These farmhouse-style planters are made, ideally, for outdoor use. The ceramic material, coupled with the design, is meant to mimic that of a rustic wooden whiskey barrel. And, they're weather-resistant, so they can withstand rain, wind, or harsh sun rays. They can be used together to dress up your entryway, or you can place them in different spots around your outdoor space.
They both measure 16 inches, and have drainage holes and plugs to keep your plants healthy.
Best Choice Products Rustic Wooden Bucket Barrel Planters
Key Specs
- Dimensions: Small: 11.5 x 11.5 x 10 inches; Medium: 15 x 15 x 11.5 inches; Large: 18 x 18 x 14 inches
- Material: Wood, metal
- Shape: Cylindrical
These rustic barrel planters are another customer favorite, with an average 4.7-star rating from more than 950 reviewers. The handsome finished wood trio features rich grain, along with metal hoops plus side handles, which are both practical and eye-catching.
The planters are 18, 15, and 11.5 inches, respectively, and they all have pre-drilled drainage holes and are treated to be stain-resistant. Arrange them in a tight grouping to add a decorative touch to your porch, or break up the set for different plants in the garden.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 6.3 x 9.1 x 6.7 inches
- Material: Resin
- Shape: Round
Though they’re on the small side, this charming set of four wine barrel planters work perfectly for lining a cobblestone walkway or giving your porch ledge a burst of greenery. The 9-inch planters are made of fade- and weather-resistant high-density resin, with metal-like hoops ringing the rounded faux-wood sides. Each of their recycled plastic bases have four drainage holes—plus they’re lightweight at just over two pounds.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: Small: 15 x 12 x 6.5 inches; Large: 19.5 x 14 x 8 inches
- Material: Acacia wood
- Shape: Semicircular
This lovely set of planters is ideal for ground-cover flowers to add a burst of color to a corner of the patio. They’re a fun take on a typical barrel planter, cut lengthwise with a footed base. The shape and overall design, along with the natural acacia’s knotted grain, gives them an extra-rustic vibe. The half-moon sides are accented with black metal bands to complete the look. The planters are treated with oil to condition the wood so they’ll take on a golden patina over time.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 12 x 20 x 11 inches
- Material: Acacia wood
- Shape: Oval
Here’s another interesting take on the typical barrel planter. It makes a statement on its own, with an appealing oval shape and top that appears almost scalloped, thanks to the angle of the acacia planks and color variation of the wood. It’s accented with two black metal metal straps on the top and bottom sections, that also provide some support to the overall structure.
It’s also generously sized at 20 inches wide, so there’s plenty of space for several plants—and it's priced under $55 at the time of this writing.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 13.3 x 22.5 x 22.5 inches
- Material: Resin
- Shape: Round
An oversized barrel planter like this one works brilliantly as a focal point next to a front door—or, even better, two on either side if you have room. In terms of what to plant, think tall: either larger perennials or an arrangement of flowers at varying heights.
The 22.5-inch-wide planter is made of resin and has UV protectors to protect against any cracking or fading. There are also drainage holes at the bottom.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 8.5 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Shape: Conical
These planters have a distressed silver finish, giving an updated twist to the more traditional whiskey barrel style. The elegant planters are nearly nine inches high and 12 inches wide, made of fade- and weather-resistant resin, with drainage holes at the bottom. There are two in the set—and they’re a steal, priced at roughly $25 each at the time of this writing. They're also relatively lightweight at well under five pounds each, so you can try them out in different spots before deciding where they look best.
Kylee McGuigan is an associate commerce editor for Hearst Magazines’s Enthusiast Group. She works with content for brands such as Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. Kylee graduated from Penn State in May 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in French. During her undergraduate career, she spent a majority of her time writing for, and eventually editing, VALLEY Magazine: Penn State’s only student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine. She has produced content ranging from beauty and health, to lifestyle and self-improvement. After spending four years in the happiest of valleys (State College, PA), she moved back home to South Jersey—otherwise known as the famous “outside of Philly” area. Kylee can be found working out of her local Starbucks with her best friend, an iced chai in hand, and endless hours of music playlists to get her through the day. When she’s not working, she is more than likely on her daily walk in her neighborhood, at Orangetheory, binging Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, checking out local coffee shops, or trying new bars and restaurants in the city with friends and family.
Rachel is the Deputy Editor of Reviews for Hearst's Enthusiast and Wellness Group where she supports Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, and Best Products. Her background is in service journalism and earlier in her career she worked as a daily newspaper reporter and book editor. She spent more than a decade as a staff editor and writer at TripAdvisor and Penguin Random House and her byline has appeared in Time Out New York, the New York Daily News, and New York Magazine. Outside of work, Rachel can be found planning her next trip, visiting museums and galleries, and walking her wirehaired dachshund Leopold in Central Park.
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