9 Built-In Indoor Planter Boxes and Their Perfect Perennial Pairs
Add colour, life and a throwback vibe with a built-in planter box
While planter boxes, window boxes or flower boxes have been around since ancient Rome, they really flourished during the Victorian era and mid-20th century. Built-in planter boxes are not only architectural features of a home, but can serve as a space-saving solution (eliminating the need for pots and stands) as well as providing a permanent garnish of green. And of course, since they were so popular in the 1950s through 1970s, they also bring in somewhat of a throwback vibe.
Here’s what you need to know about built-in planter boxes, along with some examples that will turn you green with envy.
Here’s what you need to know about built-in planter boxes, along with some examples that will turn you green with envy.
The cabinetry of this planter box was constructed with MDF, and a waterproof membrane was applied with a brush to the interior. Inside, long plastic tubs have drip trays to ensure they don’t damage or warp the construction. “LED strip lighting was added to the planter as an additional highlight as it creates a beautiful ambiance in the evening,” Marlowe says.
Marlowe also advises against making the planter box too narrow in depth as it needs to have enough space to house decent-sized plant containers. And, as with any permanent built-in cabinetry, care should be taken with over-watering and spillage.
Cosy breakfast corners
Marlowe also advises against making the planter box too narrow in depth as it needs to have enough space to house decent-sized plant containers. And, as with any permanent built-in cabinetry, care should be taken with over-watering and spillage.
Cosy breakfast corners
2. Fern feature
The brick unit dividing the stairway from the dining room overflows with lush green ferns and plants. With a 1970s feel, it transforms an otherwise staid architectural feature into one that gives vibrancy and life to the space.
The brick unit dividing the stairway from the dining room overflows with lush green ferns and plants. With a 1970s feel, it transforms an otherwise staid architectural feature into one that gives vibrancy and life to the space.
What to plant: The bright green fonds of a fern have an interesting texture and an almost reptilian look. It works well in this planter as it has plenty of room to grow in all directions and provides thick greenery to conceal the interior of the planter.
3. Window ledge blooms
The wide window ledges in this sophisticated dining room have been designed to accommodate a series of planters filled with elegant orchids.
What to plant: Orchids are popular house plants, and come in a range of sizes and colours. They require shallow planting; moist, well-draining conditions; and bright, indirect light.
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The wide window ledges in this sophisticated dining room have been designed to accommodate a series of planters filled with elegant orchids.
What to plant: Orchids are popular house plants, and come in a range of sizes and colours. They require shallow planting; moist, well-draining conditions; and bright, indirect light.
Browse more dining area ideas
4. Handy herbs
This planter keeps herbs in reach when cooking. A cut-out in the benchtop and recess in the island bench provides space for a collection of herbs or other plants.
There are two options for this benchtop planter: draining or non-draining. A draining trough needs be plumbed in and fitted with a drain, whereas a stainless-steel trough can be used if it does not need to be drained.
For a draining herb planter, “treat it the same as a kitchen sink,” says Jamie Blake, creative director of Blakes London. “The trough needs to be made from stainless steel and it needs to be siliconed in once the worktops have been fitted, and there needs to be ample support manufactured underneath and around, which may influence space.”
This planter keeps herbs in reach when cooking. A cut-out in the benchtop and recess in the island bench provides space for a collection of herbs or other plants.
There are two options for this benchtop planter: draining or non-draining. A draining trough needs be plumbed in and fitted with a drain, whereas a stainless-steel trough can be used if it does not need to be drained.
For a draining herb planter, “treat it the same as a kitchen sink,” says Jamie Blake, creative director of Blakes London. “The trough needs to be made from stainless steel and it needs to be siliconed in once the worktops have been fitted, and there needs to be ample support manufactured underneath and around, which may influence space.”
Blake also suggests considering the pot height and size of the plants individually and together. “Think about how you want the plants to look together in the trough. It is recommended to use the height of standard herb pots as a reference and then manufacture the trough that deep, unless you want to grow your own from scratch, in which case use a similar height pot all the time.”
What to plant: All your favourite herbs: basil, dill, oregano…
What to plant: All your favourite herbs: basil, dill, oregano…
5. Pot plant partition
This stairway wall functions as railing and bookcase, and, as it is set under a skylight, has a recess that can accommodate potted plants. “The space had beautiful natural light and I wanted to maximise the use of the space,” says designer Shadi Khadivi of Shadiworks.
Khadivi sealed the interior portion of the wood base with a durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane (EPDM) to provide protection and waterproofing. And she chose plants that require little to no attention, and that appreciate the natural light source above.
This stairway wall functions as railing and bookcase, and, as it is set under a skylight, has a recess that can accommodate potted plants. “The space had beautiful natural light and I wanted to maximise the use of the space,” says designer Shadi Khadivi of Shadiworks.
Khadivi sealed the interior portion of the wood base with a durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane (EPDM) to provide protection and waterproofing. And she chose plants that require little to no attention, and that appreciate the natural light source above.
What to plant: Choose a variety of houseplants that grow predominantly upright so as not to be knocked by passersby. Flowering plants such as the peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Laceleaf (Anthurium), Bromeliad and Rushfoil (Croton), will inject colour. Trailing plants such as String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii), will cascade vines over the stairway.
Khadivi created the same effect in her own townhouse and strung tension cables to the ceiling for English ivy to grow vertically. Once grown, it will provide a screen of sorts between the living space and entrance.
6. Bathroom rock bed
This modern bathroom has a built-in seat that hosts a planter box with a bed of rocks and mother-in-law’s tongue. It adds colour to the black, white and timber bathroom and gets plenty of sunlight from the window above.
What to plant: Mother-in-law’s tongue can thrive in bathrooms as it can survive low light levels and is flexible in terms of heat and water. It is also a great air purifier.
Why your bathroom needs a house plant
This modern bathroom has a built-in seat that hosts a planter box with a bed of rocks and mother-in-law’s tongue. It adds colour to the black, white and timber bathroom and gets plenty of sunlight from the window above.
What to plant: Mother-in-law’s tongue can thrive in bathrooms as it can survive low light levels and is flexible in terms of heat and water. It is also a great air purifier.
Why your bathroom needs a house plant
7. Window box
A classic window box is on the opposite side of the window in this case, with trailing leaves cascading over the side. Its pared-back design suits the minimalism of the room and softens the grey-brick window frame.
What to plant: Devil’s ivy is considered to be a great way to get into the world of houseplants. It does well in a wide range of environments including bright, indirect light as well as low light, and it will thrive in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil.
A classic window box is on the opposite side of the window in this case, with trailing leaves cascading over the side. Its pared-back design suits the minimalism of the room and softens the grey-brick window frame.
What to plant: Devil’s ivy is considered to be a great way to get into the world of houseplants. It does well in a wide range of environments including bright, indirect light as well as low light, and it will thrive in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil.
8. Staircase shrubs
This planter box sits provides a colourful architectural feature that fills the void under the stairs. It softens the aesthetic of the stairs with a variety of plants that can be added to over time.
What to plant: Philodendron thrives year round indoors and adapts readily to interior conditions. It is also easy to care for because it tells you exactly what it needs. Place it where it receives bright, indirect sunlight, and allow the top soil to dry out between waterings.
This planter box sits provides a colourful architectural feature that fills the void under the stairs. It softens the aesthetic of the stairs with a variety of plants that can be added to over time.
What to plant: Philodendron thrives year round indoors and adapts readily to interior conditions. It is also easy to care for because it tells you exactly what it needs. Place it where it receives bright, indirect sunlight, and allow the top soil to dry out between waterings.
9. Hallway highlight
A planter box is an architectural feature of this hallway and staircase, adding greenery to complement the timber and white walls and ceiling.
What to plant: Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) has the necessary height for this space and planter depth. It is low maintenance and does well in locations where it receives decent but indirect amounts of sunlight in the early mornings and late afternoons. Ensure the soil has decent drainage and only water when when the top soil layer is dry.
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Tell us
Do you have a built-in planter in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
A planter box is an architectural feature of this hallway and staircase, adding greenery to complement the timber and white walls and ceiling.
What to plant: Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) has the necessary height for this space and planter depth. It is low maintenance and does well in locations where it receives decent but indirect amounts of sunlight in the early mornings and late afternoons. Ensure the soil has decent drainage and only water when when the top soil layer is dry.
Browse more stairway ideas
Tell us
Do you have a built-in planter in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
Instead of greenery outside the window it’s right in front in this renovated apartment. The timber-clad planter box serves as a backrest for this dining booth while modernising and optimising the space. “My clients love pot plants and living in an apartment without much floor space was a challenge,” says designer Tami Marlowe of Marlowe Hues - Colour & Design. “Using plants as a feature behind seating meant they were out of the way, can be seen easily and created a green area next to the banquette.”
What to plant: Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) is an easy to care for house plant with near indestructible qualities. Its upright and erect leaves make it a great choice for this location, where damage could be otherwise caused by those who sit in the booth. “They also don’t require a lot of water, hence reducing the risk of damaging the interior of the planter box,” Marlowe says.