10 Best Railing Planters in 2022 (Master Gardener-Reviewed)

We’ve searched the Internet to find the best railing planters available based on customer reviews. We’ve picked a variety of planters, so no matter what you’re looking for, we have a railing planter for you!

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Amy Jeanroy.

Before buying a railing planter, there are a few points you should take into consideration such as drainage and style. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!

One of the most important considerations when choosing a planter for your railing is what will happen when you water your plants. You will need to regularly water your plants to keep them alive and prevent them from drying out and this can cause water to drain out the bottom.

Then, you run the risk of causing rot on wooden railings. There’s also the possibility of the excess water running off the railing and falling onto your neighbor’s balcony if someone lives below you, or even onto passersby on the street. 

You can cut down the amount of water that escapes by lining your planter with an absorbent material, such as coir or hemp.

Water-retaining crystals are another option as these absorb water and then release it slowly. This makes them a great idea for not only cutting down on excess water but also keeping your plants watered if you’re away for a few days.

Some planters have their own internal water tanks that will both catch excess water and then use it to water the plants. Many planters have drainage holes and these allow you to plan and control where any excess water will fall. This way, your plants don't get drowned but you don't have to worry about water falling in inconvenient places.

Railing planters are available in a variety of materials, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Metal is a popular material for the frames of railing planters. They often provide a base or frame that you can put your own pot inside or are lined with natural materials such as coir or hemp.

Metal is a very strong and sturdy material, but you have to ensure that steel or iron is coated against the elements or it may rust. If you have a metal railing, then metal planters can be a unifying design choice. You can match black railings with metal planters sealed in black paint, for example!

Plastic planters are light, making them a good choice for thin railings that can’t take much weight. They come in a wide range of colors and styles and many come in a terra cotta finish that looks very similar to actual terra cotta. 

Planters made from plastic are resilient to different weather conditions for several seasons, and they don't suffer from the issues of rot and rust. Due to their lightweight and often thin material, they can sometimes break if overfilled with soil and water or left out over winter, so look for plastic planters with thicker construction.

Wood can rot if it gets wet for prolonged periods, so make sure that it is correctly lined inside and treated on the exterior to prevent this. You will find a wide variety of planters in wood, from saddle to hanging, and in various sizes. As wood is a natural material, it can look great when filled with plants. 

If your railing is wood, you can get a wooden planter that will match the type and color of your deck wood. It's also easy to make wooden planters more secure as they can be drilled in place however you need. You can also use a drill to add additional drainage holes.

There are different styles of planters that are made for railings. The size and shape of the railing dictate which type you should buy.

The bottom of saddle planters are in a U-shape and they simply slide over your railing. Think of a horse’s saddle and how the middle sits on the top of the horse and the sides come down to hug the horse’s flanks. 

Measuring your railing is integral to get the appropriate saddle planter; if it’s small, it won’t fit at all. However, if it’s too large it will be unstable and run the risk of wobbling or falling, especially in rough weather.

You want the saddle planter to be snug and to grip the railing. If your railing is rounded instead of flat, you may find that saddle planters don't sit securely.

Some saddle planters also come with additional methods of being fastened to your railing, such as mounting screws. If your railing is made of metal you can use saddle planters but avoid those that rely on mounting screws for a secure fit, unless you have the equipment to drill into metal.

This type of planter often adds height to your railing, so if you like looking out of your window to the world outside, it’s possible that a saddle planter will block your view.

To safely secure a planter that hangs from your railings, you will need brackets. These are usually metal and can come in several different styles, and the best one depends on the size and style of the railing. These are a good option if you don't want anything on top of your railing and blocking your view.

You will need to take note of any vertical bars or elements that can affect how the bracket attaches. Some brackets simply sit over the top of the railing like a hook but may have additional features to secure them more firmly. Other brackets clamp onto your railings or attach to the vertical poles and some may require screwing in place.

The brackets are usually attached to the planters, but this isn't always the case. Often, for shipping purposes, the brackets are separate. If this is the case, make sure that the holes on the planter line up with the brackets.

Typically, hanging baskets are used to hang from brackets that protrude from a wall or ceiling, but you can also use them on railings. Some brackets are in the style of a planter rod that will stick out from your railing and give you the room you need for your hanging basket. These can be clamped to your railings or screwed in place.

Railing planter boxes are generally small and narrow. You will only have limited planting space, so you want to choose plants or flowers that will thrive in small pots and don’t need a lot of room for their roots to spread.

Herbs are an excellent choice for railing planters as they don’t take up much space and can help you with your cooking! Growing your own herbs is very popular, so there are plenty of resources available to help you make the most of your space.

If you want to paint a dramatic scene, you can choose plants that will spill over the planter and grow down. Creeping Jenny is perfect for this as it will cascade down in shades of green or gold. 

For a splash of color, there are many flowers you can choose from. Petunias are available in a variety of beautiful colors and will brighten up the summer months. Fuchsias are another option, although they are best in planters that aren’t in direct sunlight.

Coleus is a great choice to fill in gaps and highlight your colorful flowers. There are varieties that thrive in both sun and shade, and if you’d prefer them to be a focus instead of a filler, there are brightly colored varieties available, too.

If you're looking to add more greenery to your life or get your jungle under control, then we have lots of recommendations for you.

Author: Kellie Lacey

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