Planters are not only practical but also add plenty of charm to your garden. Whether you're filling them with flowers, herbs, or veggies, they give your plants space to thrive.

You can purchase them online or at your local hardware store, but you can also make them yourself. Since you can build DIY planters using different materials, choosing the most suitable one can be a challenging task. To save time searching, find below the four best materials for your planters!

Wood

wood raised garden bed

Image credits: High raised beds in organic vegetable garden via Flickr

Wood is not only aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective but also offers durability. It's an especially great option if you're building a raised garden bed.

If you're opting for a wood, cedar and redwood are your best options. Both are strong and rot-resistant, something that will come in handy over years and years of use. These woods, however, aren't always readily available and can be challenging to find at hardware stores. Pine and fir can also do the work as their both fairly water resistant. They just don't have the same lifespan as cedar.

Treated lumber is another option that will give you the longest life. While some believe it poses no risk to your plants, others believe the chemicals used to treat the lumber can leach into your soil. You can decide for yourself which side of the argument you fall on.

Wood is also an easy material to scavenge and upcycle. You can use leftovers from your summer deck to rebuild, deconstruct and reuse parts of shipping pallets, or you can use driftwood if you live near water and are crafty.

Metal

A horse trough being used as a creative outdoor planter in a rooftop garden.

Image credits: SalHar via Shutterstock

Metal may not be everyone's first pick, as it can add an industrial or farm-chic look to your yard. However, it does offer longevity and dependability!

Galvanized metal will hold up to the elements, won't bend against the weight of the wet soil and plants, and can keep your garden secure for years.

Another benefit of metal is its ability to reflect heat, although the sides of the container will be warmer than the center. It is especially handy in the fall and winter when you're trying to protect your plants from the cold. Just make sure you water your plants well in the summer heat to help protect against large day-to-night temperature swings.

Metal planters can also help prevent overzealous plants from spreading too far and taking over other sections of your yard. Keeping theses culprits  in one localized place can stop them from finding new, unwanted homes.

Brick

A modern vegetable garden with raised bricks beds

Image credits: vaivirga via Shutterstock

The brick looks timeless and is relatively low-maintenance. It is also super durable and won't rot over time. It's virtually impenetrable, which makes it ideal for any garden boxes that may hold plants that have tendencies to spread wildly.

Unfortunately, it can also be quite pricey; That's probably why you don't see it used more widely. However, if you have the time and cash to build a brick-and-mortar planter box, this is a solid option.

Brick is a more permanent fixture, which can be a huge benefit until you decide to re-landscape your yard. Keep in mind that when you're building your brick container, you'll want to make sure there is still adequate drainage. Brick will hold water, making the plants more susceptible to overwatering.

If you've used brick in other parts of your yard, like a pathway or a retaining wall, having a brick in your garden can create a uniform look throughout your outdoor space.

Stones

Dry Stone Wall and Colorful Garden

Image credits: Jorge Salcedo via Shutterstock

Whether it's natural or man-made to look natural, stonework can offer a lot of the same benefits as brick can.

Stone walls around your garden are incredibly durable, and they won't break down. Solid stone masonry can handle the weight of the soil and can holdup against the elements.

Stone can also give your yard a finished but natural charm. But again, much like brick, it can blow your budget if you're not careful. Keep in mind that stones are a more permanent fixture. You can even use the leftover material to make a pathway in your garden.

If you have the resources, try your hand at this eye-catching  planter display.

Best of The Best

Whether you're planning to plant a robust vegetable garden or a beautiful display of flowers, wood, metal, brick, and stone will all stand the test of time and give your garden a safe space to thrive.

And the good news is that there are solutions for every budget! All you have to do now is decide what makes sense for your gardening needs and allotted space.

Have you had success with these building materials? What was your creative outcome? Share your stories in the comments!