The Best Plants For Unsealed Wooden Planters

There are many reasons why you may not want to seal your wooden planters, such as reducing soil contaminants, or to benefit from natural pest control from woods like cedar. Unfortunately, not all plants will be healthy or produce high yields in unsealed wooden planters. Plants that are too large or prefer dense soil, like clay, are not suitable for wood planters of any kind. However, plants that thrive in well-draining or dry soil will do well if your unsealed wooden planters are prepared properly. Wood containers can be long-lasting, and their natural porous state allows for air circulation that promotes healthy root development.

There are a few varieties of plants that do particularly well in unsealed wooden planters, including succulents, herbs, flowers, and root vegetables. These plants can be grown in untreated wood garden boxes, like raised beds or movable planters. But which ones are the best? Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice, but here are 10 great plants for unsealed wooden planters based on compatibility and yield in these containers.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a common kitchen staple that is easy to grow both indoors and out, and grows well in unsealed wooden containers because of the superior drainage that wood offers. You can also use succession planting, either in the same containers (if it's large enough) or in individual planters, to have continuous harvests year-round. One of the reasons it is so great is because basil doesn't need heavy nutrients, so any potting mix that is designed for herbs or vegetables will do fine. This herb also likes sunlight and regular water, so you will want to place it in an area where it gets light all day.

An interesting vegetable that you can plant in unsealed wooden planters is eggplant (Solanum melongena), which is a member of the nightshade family. Wood can protect the plant from common issues like root rot. Eggplants are known for producing high yields when growing in containers and warm temperatures, but it takes a bit of effort to make it happen. You will need a larger container that holds at least 5 gallons with a depth of at least 12 to 16 inches. They do like fertile soil, so look for a potting mix with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 and fertilize with phosphorus and potassium.

For a flower variety that has a long blooming season and will do well in wooden containers, impatiens are a great option. Wood helps protect the flower from common pests that can impact the blooms. When growing outdoors, impatiens bloom from spring to early fall. In containers, they will need fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen, about once per month. They also love water, which means you should check moisture levels regularly and add water when the top few inches of soil start to dry out.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) performs particularly well in containers because it eliminates a lot of the risks for pest damage. You don't need huge containers to grow lettuce for quality harvests either, only about 2 quarts with a depth of 6 to 8 inches will do just fine. It does prefer fertile soil with some phosphorus and potassium and a pH of 6.0 to 6.7. Experts recommend a 10-10-10 complete fertilizer. It grows best at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but can tolerate lower temperatures if necessary.

Another great herb for wooden containers is oregano (Origanum), which is a perennial herb that grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 10, but can be brought indoors during the winter. Wood naturally provides a slightly drier environment that Mediterranean herbs love. It grows well in medium-rich soil with good drainage and occasionally dry conditions. One of the most important things to consider when growing Oregano in containers is sunlight. This hardy herb needs full sun to produce high yields.

Petunias grow exceptionally well in untreated wood containers. They are well known for being adaptable, which makes them perfect for growing in planters. Plus, they prefer organic matter in soil and are generally pest-resistant, but wood protects them from the few that could be issues. They have a long blooming season, and they can produce continual blooms in containers all through spring, summer, and fall. They prefer warm climates and full sun. They also love water, so you will want to pay careful attention to moisture levels. You can even use watering tricks to promote more blooms and healthier petunias.

Peppers (Capsicum), which include 27 different varieties, are also members of the nightshade family that do well in containers. Wood provides natural drainage that helps protect peppers from root rot. Most pepper varieties can do well in moderately fertile soil; however, they do best in soil that is high in organic matter. Space is one of the most important considerations for any pepper variety. You will want to have a container that holds at least 2 gallons with a depth of 12 to 16 inches. Make sure your pepper plants also get full sun.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a kitchen staple that provides an abundance of aromatic herbs in untreated wood containers. This is another Mediterranean herb that loves the environment that wood provides. Plus, movable containers allow you to bring your rosemary inside through winter to prevent damage in cold climates. That being said, it is a perennial that grows in zones 7 to 11 and can withstand winter temperatures down to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In wood planters, it's best to use container mix, rather than garden soil mix.

Yet another perennial herb that grows well in untreated wood containers is Thyme, which does best in zones 5 to 9. Just like oregano and rosemary, thyme is a Mediterranean herb that likes slightly drier soil. You could bring your thyme containers in for the winter if you want a continuous harvest, but it is winter hardy in most areas, so you can also leave it outside and lightly cover it in mulch. When selecting your container size, you don't need to think too big with this plant because thyme has relatively shallow roots. For a single plant, 6 inches of depth is enough for healthy growth.

Tomatoes are another nightshade plant that is well known for growing particularly well in containers of any kind. However, wood is exceptionally effective at preventing common pests that love tomatoes. Look for smaller varieties that don't need much space, but keep in mind that you will likely need a container that holds at least 5 gallons with a depth of 12 to 24 inches. Most varieties of tomatoes do well with soilless potting mixes with good drainage.