How to Create an Attractive Plastic Container Garden

When we bought our first home this year and I decided to start an herb garden on our beautiful deck, I knew I was going to go the extra mile to create a garden that I loved. I wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing and stylish.

In the past I've bought cheap flower pots with no real direction for design. In the end I had ended up with a collection of pieces that didn't work well together and felt lackluster. This time, I wanted our deck to be a natural and elegant space.

​It didn't take me long to put this together and overall I did it on a budget. It was so worth it to take the extra bit of time to plan a design because now I can't stop staring at my container herb garden, it brings me so much pleasure. 

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​1. Decide On Your Style

Before you head to the store, take the time to decide on an overall style for your container garden. Having a clearly defined style will help you avoid making purchases that you end up feeling disappointed with. Are you wanting a more modern or classic look? Natural tones or a more bold and bright colors? How will it fit in with the rest of your space?

Its also important to ask, how do you want to feel when you are spending time in this space? Do you want to feel relaxed and peaceful, or do you want to feel excited and energized?

​With my container herb garden I wanted an earthy, natural feel that would mix well with my classic and traditional tastes, as well. 

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​​2. Mix And Match Color And Textures

Because this post is all about creating a container garden on a budget I recommend using plastic pots. There are several benefits to this type of pot like their inexpensive cost and light weight which makes them easier to move. They also come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and styles. 

​Whatever type of pot you choose to use, decide on a color palette and stick to that. Choose a few colors that look great together. With my pots I decided to work with brown, tan, and white. I like these neutral tones because I can easily add another pot year after year and I know that it will be cohesive. 

With that, choosing to add various textures will give your container garden such a cool look. I chose plastic pots that look like baskets, one that looks like imprinted clay, and some others with neat designs. ​
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​3. Use Different Sized Pots

Different sizes will create more visual interest and allow you to space them out in a pleasing manner. On top of using various different sizes, I recommend using at least one really large pot. This makes the container garden look really substantial. Its a convenient way to plant several plants together which looks even more like an actual garden. 

If you choose to plant several plants in one large pot, make sure you plant companion plants together. In my 22 inch pot I planted rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano together because they all require really well drained soil and prefer it a little drier.

​4. Create Height

Even with different pot sizes that are different heights their own you will want to elevate some of them if you want a truly stylish container garden. Seeing your pots all sitting at different levels is what gives your container garden that certain "Je ne said quoi" and it also enables you to actually see some of the pots that sit behind others. 

I went to my local At Home store and picked up three brown metal plant stands that took my container garden to the next level, literally. It looked so much better after this.

​Like pots, there are many different styles of plant stands out there so you can find something that looks great with your garden style and you only need a few. In my current garden I have nine pots and only three plant stands. 

​5. Grow Healthy Plants

We have yet to talk about the most important part of your garden, the plants! For your garden to look truly spectacular you want your plants to look healthy and thriving. 

To start, purchase healthy looking plants at the store. Use a potting mix soil specifically so your plants have good drainage because soil that is too wet can yellow the leaves and lead to mold or root rot. With that, make sure all of your pots have drainage holes. Many pots come with perforated spots that you can punch a screwdriver through. I used a drill to put at least four holes in the bottom of all of my pots. 

Along with good drainage your plants will love you for giving them fertilizer, the right amount of water and sun, and a little love.