Galvanized planters are a great option for many types of container gardening. They can be used to complement a variety of decor styles, and also make a fantastic choice for raised beds or features in a flower garden.
Why You Should Use Galvanized Planters in Your Home and Garden
Galvanized planters are versatile, long-lasting, and great for both indoor and outdoor use since they resist rust. These containers are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, so there is an option to suit almost any need.
What are Galvanized Planters?
Simply put, a galvanized planter is a container for plants that is made from galvanized metal. It might be intended to be a planter, or another type of container such as a bucket or trough that is repurposed to hold plants.
Galvanized metal is a popular material for a variety of uses because it is durable, strong, and rust-resistant. The process of galvanization simply means adding a coating of zinc on the base metal — iron or steel — to prevent rusting and offer protection against damage.
Advantages of Galvanized Planters
Galvanized planters offer several advantages that might make them the ideal choice for your home or garden. The main benefits of using galvanized planters include:
- Long-lasting — can be used for 20 years or more
- Durable — resists wear and tear
- Inexpensive — even large sizes are usually affordable
- Lightweight — lighter than many other metals
- Rust-resistant — zinc coating helps prevent rust
- Weatherproof — can go through extreme weather conditions with minimal damage
- Low-maintenance — no need for repair or painting
Disadvantages of Galvanized Planters
There are some disadvantages to using galvanized planters as well. If these are major concerns for you, another type of planter might be a better option:
- Temperature regulation — metal absorbs heat and may overheat roots
- Drainage — most galvanized planters do not come with drainage holes
- Non-porous — containers may hold too much moisture in the soil for some plants
Luckily, if you love the look of galvanized metal planters, there are fixes for each of these issues. Try a layer of insulating foam or mulch between the metal sides of the container and the potting soil to avoid overheating, or keep the planter in a place where temperatures don’t get too high.
For drainage, you can drill holes in the bottom of the planter using a standard drill bit. Another option is to add a drainage layer before putting soil into the container. This layer could be a variety of materials; the purpose is for excess water to be able to drain into the bottom of the container, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. For a large container, try something lightweight such as plastic containers or styrofoam to keep the pot from getting too heavy. For a smaller planter, stones, chunky mulch, or pumice make good options.
Finally, if you are concerned that the non-porous galvanized metal will not allow enough air circulation around the roots of more sensitive plants, you can use the galvanized container as a cache pot. Simply place the plant into the desired container and then put the whole thing inside your galvanized planter.
What Kind of Decor is Suitable for Galvanized Planters?
Galvanized metal planters can fit into a variety of decoration styles depending on the shape and condition of the container. While many people think of galvanized planters as being exclusively for outdoor use, they also look great inside the home, too.
Farmhouse: Galvanized metal is a natural fit with farmhouse themes, which emphasizes a rustic, homey, and practical feeling. Using a galvanized planter in a farmhouse-style room brings to mind the actual farm equipment that is made from this material, like stock tanks.
Modern: Most any kind of metal will fit in with a modern decor, and galvanized metal is no exception. Shiny, new galvanized planters will suit a modern home more than weathered, antique-looking ones.
Industrial: Since galvanized metal is used extensively in industrial applications, it is a natural fit for a home or office with an industrial decor scheme.
Shabby chic: Antique (or antique-looking) galvanized planters suit decoration styles that use distressed and worn pieces. Since actual antiques can be quite expensive, you can always purchase a new galvanized planter and give it an aged appearance. You could even create a vintage-looking label to complete the look.
How to Choose a Galvanized Planter
The main considerations for selecting a galvanized planter fall into two categories: what you want and what’s best for your plants. However, with the wide variety of galvanized containers available, it should not be difficult to find the balance and choose a planter that covers all the bases.
For your plants, consider the size and shape of a galvanized planter that will work best. Is this a seasonal planting of annuals, or will you use the container long-term for the same plant? What kind of drainage do your plants need? How heavy will the planter be when it’s full? Be sure to get a galvanized planter that is not too big or too small for the plant you will be putting in it. If you find your plant is too small for the galvanized planter you like, you can always use the cache pot method instead of planting it directly.
Once you’ve determined what your plants will need, the factors of appearance and cost will determine which planter is the best choice. Remember that you do have options to change the appearance of a galvanized planter somewhat by painting it, aging it, or otherwise decorating it. Some people will not want to put in that kind of effort, but it could be an option for an almost-perfect planter.
How to Use a Galvanized Planter
Use a galvanized planter in the same way as you use other planters. It is fine to plant directly in the container, since the zinc coating should protect the metal against rusting or otherwise being damaged by contact with moisture and soil.
Depending on your plants, you may need to prepare the planter by drilling holes in the bottom or putting in a drainage layer before adding soil and plants. For larger containers, it is a good idea to prepare your planter in its ultimate location, since it may get heavy when it’s full of soil and plants.
Since galvanized metal lasts for years and years, you can reuse your planter in a variety of ways and locations as your needs and tastes change. A galvanized planter is a great investment because it is versatile and looks great whether it’s new or old!