Gardening Landscaping Garden Structures The 11 Best Window Boxes of 2023 Elevate your home’s curb appeal with the best pretty and practical window boxes. By Brittany VanDerBill Brittany VanDerBill Website Brittany VanDerBill has been writing copy and content for businesses and publications since 2016. She began writing for Dotdash Meredith in 2021, covering a variety of topics including pets, clothing, and product guides. Her work has been published with several Dotdash Meredith brands, including Travel + Leisure, People, Allrecipes, and Paw Print magazine. Brittany is skilled in writing about a variety of topics, but her specialties are travel, lifestyle, and pet content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 3, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know About Them Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. BHG / Lecia Landis Plants of all kinds can spruce up your home’s exterior instantly, but you don’t need a gigantic yard to accommodate flowers, herbs, or even vegetables. If you’re looking to scale back from planting large flower gardens or if you are short on outdoor space, consider adding window boxes to your home. “[W]indow boxes, if properly grown and cared for, can add an aesthetic appeal to your home as well as value,” Charlie Nardozzi, an award-winning garden author, tells us via email. Because there are plenty of factors to consider before picking out the perfect window box, we reached out to Nardozzi for some helpful hints on size, drainage, and more. We also researched dozens of options to find the best window boxes on the market. Read on to see more of our top picks for the best window boxes. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Mayne Fairfield 5822W Window Box Planter at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Classic Home and Garden Corinthian Trough Planter at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Charlton Home Resin Window Box with Water Reservoir at Wayfair Jump to Review Best for Railing: HC Companies Outdoor Plastic Railing Planter Box at Amazon Jump to Review Best Self-Watering: Winston Porter Self Watering Plastic Window Box Planter at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Indoor: Amazing Creation Window Herb Planter Boxes at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wooden: Costway 36-Inch Wooden Planter Box at Walmart Jump to Review Best Plastic: Growneer Plastic Window Box at Amazon Jump to Review Best Black: Bloem Rectangular Dura Cotta Window Box at Walmart Jump to Review Best Metal: Gracie Oaks Galvanized Steel Window Box Planter at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Overall Mayne Fairfield 5822W Window Box Planter, 3-Foot Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It: These window boxes are durable, resistant to fading, self-watering, and offer plenty of curb appeal. Keep in Mind: You can only use the included mounting brackets with this particular window box. Our pick for the best window box overall is generously sized with convenient self-watering features. The water reservoir holds up to 3 gallons of water, so you can leave on a weekend getaway and not worry about your plants drying out. The aesthetics of the window box are classic and appealing. Made from molded plastic, these window boxes are quite durable. They’re weatherproof and have UV-inhibitors to protect against fading over time. Keep in mind that you can only mount these window boxes using the brand’s included mounting hardware. Price at time of publish: $114 Product Details: Dimensions: 36 x 11 x 10.8 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Budget Classic Home and Garden Corinthian Trough Planter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why You Should Get It: This budget-friendly window box looks like concrete, yet it’s made of resin and stone dust for a lightweight option.Keep in Mind: It’s more narrow than other styles. Looking for a stylish window box that won’t break the bank? This is the best window box for staying within a budget, since it costs less than $15. Created to mimic the look of concrete, this resin and stone dust planter is a lighter-weight option that’s easier to move around. The two-tone color and thoughtful design work create a beautiful aesthetic that will look wonderful with everything from vegetables to grasses to colorful flowers. The darker border doesn’t have precise edging, so it delivers a laid back, imperfect look which may not suit everyone’s taste. It’s versatile enough to use inside or outside, and it does have drainage holes as well as a drain plug. Price at time of publish: $11 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 4.85 x 4 inches | Material: Resin, stone | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Splurge Charlton Home Resin Window Box with Water Reservoir Wayfair View On Wayfair Why You Should Get It: This is self-watering and comes with mounting brackets.Keep in Mind: Assembly is required. When you really want to add inspired style to your home, consider this window box. Made from plastic, its generous size will fit a variety of plants and herbs in one chic container. It’s a beautiful option for showcasing trailing plants. Plus, vibrantly colored blooms will really pop against its crisp white hue. You’ll need to assemble the window box, which requires some hands-on work. However, it includes mounting brackets that make it easy to get the box mounted to a wall right away. It’s also self-watering, so once you get it assembled, you won’t have to worry about watering frequently. Price at time of publish: $440 Product Details: Dimensions: 84 x 12 x 10 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Mounting brackets | Drainage Holes: No Best for Railing HC Companies Outdoor Plastic Railing Planter Box Amazon View On Amazon View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It: The window box is easy to install and is fade-resistant.Keep in Mind: The aesthetic is pretty basic with no frills. If your deck railing looks a little bare, consider this plastic window box. It’s designed to fit either 2 x 4 inch or 2 x 6 inch railings, so installing the window box is a cinch—just set it on your railing. It includes four drainage holes and comes with drain plugs, too, so you can use the box inside if you wish. The plastic material is resistant to fading and cracking, so it will last a while. The design overall is fairly basic, which you’ll want to note if you’re looking for something more upscale. Price at time of publish: $29 Product Details: Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 9 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Self-Watering Winston Porter Clywd Self Watering Plastic Window Box Planter Wayfair View On Wayfair Why You Should Get It: Both pretty and practical, the undulating shape of this planter adds modern style while the self-watering feature cuts down on plant maintenance.Keep in Mind: Occasional watering is still needed. While on the slightly more expensive side, this modern window box is well worth the price. The window box has an upscale look, great for adding curb appeal. Its flared tulip silhouette adds dimension and movement to your home’s exterior. Helpful low-maintenance features like a self-watering system and drainage holes allow for easy care as you likely won’t want to tend to your window box plants daily. It’s also resistant to weather as well as rust, so it’ll look great for years to come. Cleaning the window box is simple, since it just requires a quick spray with the garden hose. Choose from three different colors—espresso, black, or white—depending on your home’s color scheme. Price at time of publish: $155 Product Details: Dimensions: 36 x 9.8 x 10.1 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Mounting brackets | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Indoor Amazing Creation Window Herb Planter Boxes 3 Pack Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It: These fit perfectly in a window sill or on a table and have a watering system to keep plants hydrated for up to two weeks.Keep in Mind: These are better suited for herbs rather than annual flowers. Those in cold climates will appreciate this three-pack of window boxes designed to grow herbs and other small plants, like the low-maintenance Philodendron Heartleaf. Meant for indoor use, these are self-watering planters made of a lightweight plastic. They make it easy to keep your favorite plants perfectly watered. Simply add water right into the port, located in the corner of each planter box. The water-absorbent strips within the planters help stabilize moisture levels so plants stay hydrated for up to two weeks. Though you don’t get to choose accent colors, the planters are useful and fit nicely on a window sill or a table. Plus, you can use these to start seeds indoors, then transfer your plants outdoors when it’s warm enough. Price at time of publish: $31 for three Product Details: Dimensions: 10.5 x 3 x 5.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: No Best Wooden Costway 36-Inch Wooden Planter Box Walmart View On Walmart View On Home Depot Why You Should Get It: Installation can be super simple as this is a freestanding window box.Keep in Mind: These will change color or even fade as time goes on. These are the best window boxes if you’re looking for wooden material. The natural fir offers a warm, earthy feel—perfect if you want to bring a bit of nature to a balcony in the city. This beautiful window box can be used in so many ways, such as defining a path or walkway or creating a moveable border along a backyard patio. Mounting materials aren’t included, but these are freestanding so you can simply set them on a patio or sidewalk to display your flowering plants. Just slip on your trusty gardening gloves, grab your best garden trowel, fill the planter with nutrient-rich potting soil mix, give your brightly colored blooms a good drink of water, then step back and admire your newest patio addition. The boxes are durable, waterproof, and resistant to the sun, so they’re a quality option. Take note that because of their natural wood material, they will be more prone to fading or changing color as time goes on. That’s also part of their appeal, though—especially if you love a good rustic-chic or farmhouse feel. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details: Dimensions: 36 x 7 x 6.5 inches | Material: Natural fir | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Plastic Growneer Plastic Window Box Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It: This stackable set of three window boxes comes with 15 labels to keep track of your seedlings.Keep in Mind: These look flimsier than other styles. These are the best window boxes made of plastic since they offer versatility in terms of mounting and portability. Plastic window boxes are lighter weight than other materials like wood or metal, so they’re perfect if you enjoy frequently changing up the look of your outdoor spaces. You can choose to simply set them on a patio table or use them as sidewalk borders to provide visitors a beautiful welcome. You could also make them a more permanent fixture by mounting them to your house, although mounting materials aren’t included. Bear in mind that these come with two drainage holes, so you may want to add more if you tend to be heavy-handed when watering or have plants that are very sensitive to excess moisture. The set includes three window boxes along with 15 labels so you can easily keep track of what you planted. When you’re done growing for the season, just stack the three boxes together to save on storage space. Price at time of publish: $20 for three Product Details: Dimensions: 17 x 5.9 x 5.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Black Bloem Rectangular Dura Cotta Window Box The Home Depot View On Walmart View On Home Depot View On Ace Hardware Why You Should Get It: The window box is a classic, timeless black that really pops against vivid blooms and has a simple design that fits in beautifully with nearly any style of home.Keep in Mind: This planter isn’t mountable. Black is timeless, and this is the best window box in classic black. It’s made of plastic resin which is lightweight but will stand up to harsh temperatures—great for those who may forget to pull planters inside during colder winters. The timelessness of black combines with the simple yet chic design of the planter, making this a window box that can fit in beautifully with just about any style of home. If you’re a fan of vivid blooms, the deep black hue will really let vibrant flowers shine. While the planter isn’t self-watering, it does include a saucer to catch excess moisture. Feel free to use this window box planter either indoors or outdoors since it includes drainage holes and stands up to UV rays. Just note that you can’t mount it to an exterior wall or window. Price at time of publish: $24 Product Details: Dimensions: 30 x 7.5 x 5.75 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Metal Gracie Oaks Jaimee-Lea Galvanized Steel Window Box Planter Wayfair View On Wayfair Why You Should Get It: Made of galvanized steel, this is a durable and stylish window box.Keep in Mind: Drain plugs aren’t included, so you’ll need a tray if you want to use this indoors. Galvanized steel brings in an appealing weathered vibe to this window box planter and ensures rust-resistance for a beautiful, practical choice. This window box is meant to be used outside because it stands up well to UV rays. Note that this style doesn’t have pre-drilled drainage holes, so if you plan to keep this inside, you’ll need to find a saucer or tray to catch any excess water. Choose from two colors, both of which are classic and can go with just about any exterior color scheme. The mounting materials aren’t included, but that does give you some freedom in terms of where and how you’d like to mount the window box. Price at time of publish: $57 Product Details: Dimensions: 22 x 66 x 5 inches | Material: Galvanized steel | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes Best Colors Mintra Home Garden Pot Amazon View On Amazon View On Mintrausa.com Why You Should Get It: These come in 11 vibrant colors to brighten up any indoor or outdoor space.Keep in Mind: Their lighter weight means you’ll want to tuck them safely away indoors when they’re empty. These are the best window boxes to add a bit of colorful whimsy to a patio, balcony, or a cozy indoor nook. The 11 vibrant hues will instantly brighten up any space. Try these out with herbs or grasses if you want to add some color to green plants that don’t have showy blooms. The water reserve tray is great for protecting indoor surfaces. It also cuts back on how often you’ll need to water your plants, since they’ll soak up moisture from excess water in the attached tray. You can relocate these window boxes as often as you’d like because they’re made of a lightweight plastic that’s easy to carry around. The window box weighs just over 1 pound, which also means it may not hold steady outside against strong winds. Just be sure to store it safely inside during windy or stormy days, especially if you haven’t yet filled it up with plants and soil to give it weight. Price at time of publish: $20 Product Details: Dimensions: 19 x 6.75 x 6.75 inches | Material: Plastic | Mounting Materials: Not included | Drainage Holes: Yes The 10 Best Garden Stools of 2023 for Style, Support, and Mobility The Bottom Line The Mayne Fairfield Window Box Planter is the best window box overall because of its durability, fade-resistance, convenient self-watering feature, and timeless, versatile design. What to Know About Window Boxes Before Shopping Size Window boxes come in many different shapes and sizes. “Purchase window boxes that fit the location you're going to mount them. Get boxes that are as long as the window and can be mounted easily to the siding or sill,” says Nardozzi. In other words, take time to consider whether a window box actually fits the space where you’d like to mount it. Material Many types of materials are used to create window boxes, including plastic, wood, and metal. “Plastic window boxes are the lightest, cheapest, and easiest to use,” says Nardozzi. Metal and wood can be some of the best window boxes if you’re looking for something that’s a little more elegant, long-lasting, or heavier weight. Mounting Materials The material of your window box will impact the mounting materials you’ll want to use. “Heavier window boxes made from wood and metal will need stronger supports because of the extra weight,” says Nardozzi. He adds, “Be sure you can mount them into studs in the wall with good sized hardware to keep them upright once all the soil and plants are there.” Drainage Holes Having drainage holes or a self-watering system in any planter is key to keeping plants happy. You don’t want to accidentally over-water the plants you’ve worked hard to cultivate. “Most window boxes will come with drainage holes. If not, drill about four to six 1/2-inch-diameter holes in the bottom of the box,” says Nardozzi. “The exception is self-watering boxes that don't need drainage holes. Consider getting a self-watering window box to reduce the need to water as often.” Your Questions, Answered Do window boxes add value to your home? Making improvements to your home can often add benefits if you decide to sell later on. When it comes to window boxes, Nardozzi says, “[W]indow boxes, if properly grown and cared for, can add an aesthetic appeal to your home as well as value.” Plus, he explains, “The potential buyers can see you pride yourself in keeping your home looking beautiful.” How much do window boxes cost? Window boxes come in a range of sizes and materials, so it makes sense that their cost will vary depending on what option you choose. In general, Nardozzi advises, “Simple plastic window boxes can cost less than $30. Self-watering plastic window boxes cost less than $50.” You can also go with something a bit more substantial, which will cost more. According to Nardozzi, “More elegant wooden or metal window boxes can cost over $100.” What kind of plants can you put in a window box? You have numerous options for adding different types of plants to whatever type of window boxes you prefer. “You can plant a wide variety of annual flowers such as lobelia, fuchsia, petunias, pansies, alyssum, and mounding zinnias in window boxes. Small herbs, such as thyme, oregano, parsley, and sage, grow well, too. Even small vegetable plants, such as lettuce and bush cucumbers, can grow in a large window box,” explains Nardozzi. Who We Are This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance lifestyle and travel writer whose work has been published with Travel + Leisure, People, and other lifestyle publishers. To create this list, she researched various types of window boxes and interviewed Charlie Nardozzi, a Regional Emmy Award-winning garden author, radio, and TV personality via email for his expert gardening tips. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit