Concrete Planter Boxes for Terraces, Gardens and Public Spaces

A hedge in a container, a green balustrade, a corner finally put to use or a plant barrier in the middle of a square: a planter box can do all of it. Unlike the round pot, the concrete planter box is elongated, square or modular and makes better use of walls, windows and terrace edges. This guide goes through Vetonek's white concrete planter boxes, with the real sizes and weights from their data sheets, and helps you choose according to the space.

Planter box or pot: when each one makes sense

The round pot looks good alone or in a group; the planter box fits against a wall, under a window or in a line to form a hedge or a divider. If you are looking for round, conical or giant pieces, see the guide to concrete planters and pots. Here we focus on elongated, square, corner and modular shapes.

Two lines: classic and modern

According to the data sheets, the classic planter boxes (Ojacastro, Berceo, Estollo, Cirueña, Villarejo, Santurde and Ocón) are made of white artificial stone (moulded concrete), some with a moulding and others plain, without mouldings. The modern line (San Asensio, Anguciana, Cihuri, Castañares, Peciña, Rabanera, Villalba and Jalón) is made of white moulded concrete with straight lines; Rabanera and Villalba are stated as moulded reinforced concrete. All come in white.

Rectangular planter boxes

• Ojacastro planter box: classic perimeter moulding, in 90 × 30 × 36 cm (85 kg) and 120 × 40 × 46 cm (140 kg). Its data sheet presents it for hedges, laurustinus, climbers and roses against walls, railings or under windows.
• Estollo planter box: 65 × 25 × 32 cm and 33 kg. With a depth of just 25 cm, it fits on ledges, windowsills and outdoor passages where others will not.
• Villarejo planter box: six sizes of the same plain design, from 50 × 20 × 22 cm (11 kg) to 120 × 42 × 52 cm (140 kg), including 65 × 34 × 38, 85 × 34 × 38, 100 × 34 × 38 and 105 × 42 × 52 cm.
• There are also intermediate formats: the Berceo planter box, with moulding (62 × 30 × 35 cm, 60 kg), and the long, plain Cirueña (98 × 32 × 38 cm, 70 kg).

Square, cube, tall and corner planter boxes

• Santurde planter box: square prism of 30 × 30 × 35 cm (30 kg) or 40 × 40 × 46 cm (58 kg); lined up, they form a perfectly straight hedge in containers.
• Anguciana planter box: a cube of 45 × 45 × 45 cm and 90 kg. With the same footprint, the Castañares is tapered (72 kg) and the Peciña is a tower of 45 × 45 × 75 cm (62 kg).
• Ocón corner planter box: corner design of 45 × 35 × 35 cm and 47 kg, with an angled back that fits at 90° into a corner and a curved front.

Modular planter box: you decide the height

The Jalón modular planter box is a system of a base with a bottom and stackable rings, in Ø 80 and Ø 110 cm: base Ø 80 × 29 cm (64 kg) and Ø 110 × 30 cm (146 kg); ring Ø 80 × 29 cm (46 kg) and Ø 110 × 30 cm (70 kg). According to its data sheet, the pieces are stacked dry, without mortar, and the two diameters can be combined for a two-level planter box. For tall assemblies or in public spaces, have the stability checked by the project technician.

Large formats and vandal-resistant planter boxes

For hospitality, residential developments and public space there are larger pieces of considerable weight. The San Asensio planter box (80 × 40 × 40 cm, 105 kg, and 100 × 45 × 45 cm, 155 kg) is stated as suitable for public use; the Cihuri comes in three scales, up to 140 × 45 × 55 cm and 260 kg; and the Rabanera, at 100 × 40 × 77 cm and 210 kg, offers a height designed to separate areas on hospitality terraces.

The Villalba planter box is the vandal-resistant one in the range: 120 × 45 × 70 cm and 270 kg of moulded reinforced concrete, for outdoor and public-space use. Its data sheet presents it for streets, squares, business entrances and access control. Any protective function against vehicles, and its placement on the public highway, must be validated by the project technician or the local authority.

How to choose the planter box

• Length and depth: measure the space. For ledges and windows, the 25 cm depth of the Estollo or the 20 cm depth of the smallest Villarejo; for walls and railings, 90 to 120 cm in length.
• Height: low pieces let the plant show; tall ones, such as the Peciña (75 cm) or the Rabanera (77 cm), raise the planting and work as a divider.
• Soil volume: the large sizes take shrubs and small trees according to the data sheets; for the XL Cihuri, the data sheet recommends 10 cm of gravel at the bottom before the soil.
• Weight and load: from 11 kg to 270 kg per piece, and wet soil adds a lot more. On raised terraces or slabs, check the permissible load with the project technician.
• Style and set: the Villarejo data sheet suggests using the same model in two sizes on a facade, windows above and pavements below, so the building gains a unified look.

If you want to divide a large garden, also read ideas for separating areas in a very large garden; for trees, see the guide to concrete tree surrounds and lawn edging, and for screens and enclosures, the one on concrete breeze block screens.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a planter box and a pot?

A planter box is usually elongated, square or modular and sits against a wall, under a window or in a line; a pot is round and looks good alone or in a group. Both can be made of concrete and suitable for outdoors.

Which planter box should I choose for a window or a narrow ledge?

The Estollo planter box, with a depth of just 25 cm (65 × 25 × 32 cm), is designed for those spaces. The smallest Villarejo (50 × 20 × 22 cm, 11 kg) also works.

Can the height of a concrete planter box be increased?

Yes, with the Jalón modular planter box: a base with a bottom and stackable rings in Ø 80 or Ø 110 cm that are stacked dry. For tall assemblies or in public space, have the stability checked by the technician.

Are concrete planter boxes suitable for public spaces?

Some are designed for it: the Villalba is stated as vandal-resistant for outdoor and public-space use, and the San Asensio as suitable for public use. Placement on the public highway must be validated by the project technician or the local authority.

How much does a concrete planter box weigh?

Between 11 kg (Villarejo of 50 × 20 × 22 cm) and 270 kg (Villalba), depending on the model. With wet soil the weight rises considerably, so on raised terraces it is wise to check the permissible load with the technician.

To get started, take a look at the pots and planters collection, or go straight to the Santurde planter box, the Ojacastro planter box and the Villarejo planter box.