There is absolutely no comparison between a store-bought strawberry and one you picked warm from the sun in your own garden. The flavor is sweeter, the texture is juicier, and the satisfaction is unmatched.
But here is the best news: You don’t need a farm to grow them. In fact, strawberries often grow better in planters than they do in the ground.
As Shiny Aura, I love growing strawberries in containers because it solves the biggest problem gardeners face: pests. By lifting the fruit off the ground, you keep them away from hungry slugs and soil-borne rot. Plus, it turns your food into a beautiful decoration. Whether you have a sprawling deck or a tiny balcony, here are 10 creative strawberry planter ideas to maximize your harvest.
In this article, we'll cover
1. The Classic Strawberry Pot (Urn)
You have likely seen these terracotta jars with pockets (holes) on the sides. They are a classic for a reason. They utilize vertical space efficiently, allowing you to fit 6-9 plants in one pot.
Shiny’s Tip: Watering these can be tricky because the water doesn’t always reach the bottom pockets. Hack: Insert a PVC pipe with holes drilled in it down the center of the pot before filling it with soil. Pour water into the pipe to irrigate all levels evenly from the inside out.
2. Vertical PVC Tower
For the DIY enthusiast, a PVC tower is the ultimate space-saver. Use a thick (4-6 inch) PVC pipe, cut holes in the sides using a hole saw, and stand it upright in a heavy base.
The Benefit: You can grow 20+ plants in one square foot of floor space. Paint the white plastic a terracotta or sage green color to make it look less industrial and more like a garden sculpture.
3. Rain Gutter Garden
Do you have a blank fence or a sunny railing? Attach lengths of aluminum rain gutters horizontally. Fill them with potting mix and plant your strawberries in a row.
Why it works: Strawberries have shallow roots, so the shallow depth of a gutter is actually perfect for them. Just be sure to drill drainage holes along the bottom of the gutter so the plants don’t drown.
4. The Stacked Crate Tower
Create a rustic “pyramid” using wooden crates or cedar boxes. Start with a large box at the bottom, place a slightly smaller one on top, and so on. Plant the strawberries in the exposed corners of each tier.
The Look: This creates a beautiful waterfall effect of foliage and fruit. It’s sturdy, stable, and looks fantastic in a farmhouse-style garden.
5. Hanging Baskets
If you have zero floor space, look up. Strawberries are trailing plants by nature. When planted in a hanging basket, the runners cascade down the sides, displaying the red berries like jewels.
Shiny’s Tip: Hanging baskets dry out faster than any other container because of the wind. You will need to check them daily in summer. Use a “moisture control” potting mix to help hold water longer.
6. Upcycled Pallet Vertical Garden
Shipping pallets are the darlings of the DIY world. Staple landscape fabric to the back and bottom of a pallet, fill the slats with soil, and poke strawberries through the gaps.
Design Note: Lean the pallet against a wall or mount it securely. The wood weathers to a nice grey, making the bright green leaves pop. Make sure the pallet is heat-treated (HT), not chemically treated, since you are growing food.
7. The Laundry Basket Hack
Believe it or not, a cheap plastic laundry basket with holes makes an incredible strawberry planter. Line the basket with a burlap sack or landscape fabric. Fill it with soil, then cut slits in the fabric through the basket holes to insert your plants.
The Result: Within a few months, the leaves will grow thick enough to completely hide the plastic basket, leaving you with a floating mound of berries.
8. Tiered Wire Baskets
Use a 3-tier wire fruit basket (the kind usually used in kitchens) lined with coco coir liners. Hang it on a porch hook.
Why it works: It provides excellent drainage and air circulation, which prevents fungal diseases. It looks delicate and elegant, perfect for a cottage porch.
9. Cedar Wall Planters
Mount cedar boxes directly to an exterior wall of your house or shed. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and safe for edible plants.
The Aura: It acts like a “Living Wall.” Growing food vertically on walls also keeps the fruit at eye level, making it easy to spot ripe berries before the birds do.
10. The Wheelbarrow Planter
Do you have an old, rusty wheelbarrow that doesn’t roll anymore? Drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage and fill it with soil. It is deep enough for strawberries and wide enough to hold a huge crop.
The Vibe: It adds instant vintage charm. Plus, if you need to move the plants into the shade during a heatwave, you can (carefully) wheel it away!
Final Care Tips for Container Berries
- Sun: Strawberries need at least 6-8 hours of direct sun to make sweet fruit.
- Soil: Use high-quality potting mix, not garden soil (which is too heavy for pots).
- Fertilizer: Feed them with a liquid berry fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
- Winter: If you live in a freezing climate, pots will freeze solid and kill the roots. Move your planters into an unheated garage or shed for the winter to protect them.