Do all planters need a drainage hole?

Almost all do. Without drainage, water pools at the bottom and rots roots. The main exceptions are self-watering planters, which use a sealed reservoir by design, and decorative cachepots used only indoors with a smaller drained pot inside. For anything outdoors, make sure there's a working drainage hole.

What's the best low-maintenance planter for a busy person?

A self-watering planter with a water-level indicator is the most forgiving, since it stretches watering to every week or two. Pair it with a thirsty, easy plant. Avoid terracotta and fabric bags if you tend to forget watering, because both dry out quickly.

Are metal raised beds safe for growing food?

Yes. Modern coated steel beds such as Aluzinc and food-safe galvanized kits are made for edible gardening and don't leach harmful amounts of metal into soil at normal garden pH. Untreated cedar is also a safe, chemical-free choice for growing vegetables.

How to Choose a Planter, Pot or Raised Bed

By The DIYPicks Team · Updated July 2026

The right container depends far more on your plant and your space than on looks. This guide walks through material, drainage, size and self-watering options so you can match a planter to the job the first time.

Match the container type to your space and plant

Start with what and where you're growing. A backyard vegetable garden calls for a raised bed (metal or cedar) that gives roots deep, well-drained soil. A patio or balcony is better served by containers you can arrange and move: large resin or terracotta pots for permanent plants, and fabric grow bags for cheap, high-yield seasonal vegetables.

As a rule of thumb: raised beds for in-ground-style vegetable growing, self-watering planters for low-maintenance display plants, terracotta for drainage-sensitive plants, and grow bags for maximum plants at minimum cost in a small space.

Understand materials: metal, cedar, plastic, terracotta and fabric

Coated metal (Aluzinc/galvanized) lasts longest and never rots, but conducts heat and costs more. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and looks warm but weathers over years. Plastic and resin are cheap, light and frost-proof but don't breathe. Terracotta breathes and wicks moisture, protecting roots from rot, but is fragile and dries soil quickly.

Fabric (nonwoven) is the outlier: it air-prunes roots and drains everywhere for excellent root health, at the cost of frequent watering and a life of only a few seasons. Heavier fabric (300 GSM+) lasts longer than thin budget bags.

Get drainage right for your plant

Drainage is the single biggest killer of container plants. Most plants need a drainage hole so roots never sit in standing water. Raised beds solve this with open bottoms; terracotta and quality pots include a hole (and often a saucer). Plastic pots frequently ship with knock-out holes you must open for outdoor use.

Drainage-sensitive plants like succulents and herbs do best in breathable terracotta or fabric that sheds excess moisture. Thirsty plants like tomatoes and ferns tolerate, and even benefit from, moisture-retentive plastic or a self-watering reservoir.

Size it correctly: depth and capacity

Bigger is almost always safer. Deep-rooted vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, parsnips) want 16-17" of soil depth; leafy greens and herbs are happy in 10-12". For grow bags, budget at least 5 gallons per tomato or pepper and 3-5 gallons for herbs and lettuce.

Remember that tall raised beds need a surprisingly large volume of soil to fill: a 17" bed can need 40+ cubic feet, which is a real cost. Match depth to your crops rather than buying the tallest bed by default.

Decide whether you need self-watering

Self-watering planters hold a reservoir that lets plants go a week or two between waterings, ideal if you travel or forget. True sub-irrigation systems (with a wick and water-level gauge) meter water precisely; simpler 'self-watering disks' just store a little reserve at the base.

Skip self-watering for succulents and cacti, which can rot in a constantly moist reservoir. Use it for thirsty patio plants, herbs and tropicals where consistent moisture is a feature, not a risk.

See our top picks

Read a full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all planters need a drainage hole?: Almost all do. Without drainage, water pools at the bottom and rots roots. The main exceptions are self-watering planters, which use a sealed reservoir by design, and decorative cachepots used only indoors with a smaller drained pot inside. For anything outdoors, make sure there's a working drainage hole.
What's the best low-maintenance planter for a busy person?: A self-watering planter with a water-level indicator is the most forgiving, since it stretches watering to every week or two. Pair it with a thirsty, easy plant. Avoid terracotta and fabric bags if you tend to forget watering, because both dry out quickly.
Are metal raised beds safe for growing food?: Yes. Modern coated steel beds such as Aluzinc and food-safe galvanized kits are made for edible gardening and don't leach harmful amounts of metal into soil at normal garden pH. Untreated cedar is also a safe, chemical-free choice for growing vegetables.