Best Plants for Raised Planters in New Zealand: A Seasonal Guide

Written By Tiliwood .

Raised planters are a game-changer for Kiwi gardeners. Whether you're working with a compact Auckland deck or transforming your backyard, the right plants can turn your planter boxes into year-round showstoppers. Let's dive into what to plant when, so your raised planters look fantastic through every season.

Spring Planting (September - November)

Spring is when your garden wakes up, and it's the perfect time to get your planter boxes buzzing with life.

Flowers that love spring:

  • Pansies - These cheerful faces handle cool mornings and are available everywhere

  • Primulas - Bright, bold colours that thrive in our spring weather

  • Sweet peas - Climbing varieties work brilliantly with trellis planters

  • Calendulas - Tough as nails and great for beginners

Vegetables to get started:

  • Lettuce and spinach - Quick growers that love the mild temperatures

  • Radishes - Ready in just 4 weeks

  • Broad beans - Plant these early for a summer harvest

Summer Stars (December - February)

Summer is showtime for your planters. Choose plants that can handle our hot, dry spells.

Heat-loving beauties:

  • Petunias - Cascade beautifully over planter edges

  • Marigolds - Practically indestructible and keep pests away

  • Portulaca - Perfect for sunny spots, drought-tolerant

  • Geraniums - Classic choice that flowers all summer long

Summer vegetables:

  • Cherry tomatoes - Compact varieties work perfectly in deep planters

  • Basil - Loves the heat and pairs perfectly with those tomatoes

  • Capsicums - Choose dwarf varieties for containers

Autumn Abundance (March - May)

Don't let your planters look sad as the weather cools. Autumn can be absolutely stunning.

Autumn champions:

  • Cyclamen - Beautiful flowers that actually prefer cooler weather

  • Ornamental kale - Gorgeous purple and green foliage

  • Chrysanthemums - Classic autumn flowers in warm colours

  • Violas - Like mini pansies, perfect for cooler weather

Cool-season crops:

  • Asian greens - Bok choy, mizuna, and tatsoi grow quickly

  • Carrots - Choose shorter varieties for planter depth

  • Coriander - Grows better in cooler weather

Winter Wonders (June - August)

Yes, your planters can look amazing even in winter! Focus on foliage and structure.

Winter performers:

  • Polyanthus - Bright flowers that don't mind the cold

  • Winter pansies - Specially bred for cold tolerance

  • Ornamental cabbage - Stunning rosettes in purple and white

  • English daisies - Cheerful and tough

Winter herbs and greens:

  • Parsley - Keeps growing through winter

  • Rocket - Actually tastes better in cool weather

  • Winter lettuce - Choose cold-hardy varieties

A Touch of Native Beauty

While exotic plants often steal the show, don't overlook our gorgeous native plants for your raised planters. Many New Zealand natives actually thrive in containers and add unique character to your garden.

Container-friendly natives:

  • Hebe - Compact varieties with beautiful flowers

  • Coprosma - Stunning foliage in bronze and green

  • Carex grasses - Add texture and movement

  • Astelia - Silver foliage that catches the light beautifully

These natives are perfectly adapted to our climate and often need less water once established - perfect for busy lifestyles.

Edible Gardens: The Lining Matters

Growing your own food in planter boxes is incredibly rewarding, but there's one crucial detail many people miss: proper lining is essential for edibles.

When growing vegetables and herbs, make sure your raised planters have food-safe lining. This prevents any chemicals from treated timber leaching into your soil and ultimately your dinner plate. Look for planters with built-in food-safe barriers, or add your own plastic sheeting before filling with soil.

Top edible picks for planters:

  • Herbs - Basil, parsley, thyme, and rosemary

  • Salad greens - Lettuce, spinach, and rocket

  • Compact vegetables - Cherry tomatoes, dwarf beans, and radishes

  • Strawberries - Perfect for hanging or tiered planters

Pro Tips for Planter Success

Drainage is everything - Make sure your planter boxes have adequate drainage. Soggy roots equal dead plants. Make sure not to put any plastic lining on the bottom of the planter, a layer of small stones/gravel works well but isn’t essential.

Size matters - Match your plant choice to your planter depth. Shallow-rooted plants like lettuce need 15-20cm, while tomatoes want 40cm+.

Feed regularly - Container plants need more frequent feeding than garden beds. A liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks works wonders.

Water wisely - Check daily in summer, but don't overwater in winter. Stick your finger into the soil – if it's dry 2cm down, it's time to water.

Making It Work for You

The beauty of raised planters is their flexibility. You can easily swap out seasonal plants, move planters to catch the best light, or even bring tender plants under cover during harsh weather.

Whether you're starting with a simple planter box on your deck or creating an elaborate trellis planter system for privacy and food production, the key is to start simple and build your confidence.

Remember, gardening should be fun, not stressful. Pick a few easy plants from each season, see what works in your specific spot, and gradually expand your repertoire. Before you know it, you'll have a thriving container garden that looks fantastic year-round and maybe even feeds the family too.

Ready to get started? Check out our range of weatherproof planter boxes designed specifically for New Zealand conditions – because your plants deserve the best foundation for success.

Tiliwood .
Next

The Complete Guide to Selecting and Calculating Soil for Your Wooden Planters