For the longest time I'd been searching for an aged metal planter to give my garden a rustic-feel, but my options have been limited while working on a budget. That was until I stumbled across my dream find in the most unexpected place: IKEA.
I love how herb gardens looked planted up in antiqued metal tubs, but sourcing one large enough can be both difficult and pricey. That's why I was so excited to have found the IKEA KORKGRAN metal planter for just $24.99. It looks like it's straight off my Pinterest board sitting proudly on my patio, with a slightly distressed finish that gives it a timeless feel.
I was genuinely surprised to find this planter at IKEA, because it quietly slots into my cottage garden scheme without standing out as shiny and new. Plus, it has ample room to to grow multiple plants – I'm using it to house five different herbs. For under $30, this is my new favorite find to bring vintage charm to the yard without blowing the budget.
This metal planter measures 10 3/4 x 22 3/4". It's made of galvanized steel and is weatherproof in rain and frost. The handles are made of wood for a comfortable grip and easy lifting. It doesn't have drainage holes but you can easily drill some.
Perfect for Herbs
I couldn't be happier with how the IKEA KORKGRAN metal planter looks on my patio. It's the perfect vessel for my herb garden, and gives me a hit of dopamine every time I harvest from it.
The thing I struggled to find within my budget was a metal planter as big as this. I did consider this set of three farmhouse-inspired metal planter tubs on Amazon, but the largest is just 10.8" in length.
In comparison, the IKEA KORKGRAN metal planter is 22 3/4" long and 10 3/4" in depth, housing multiple plants comfortably without compromising on growing room.
I particularly love how it features wooden handles. Not only do these add some warmth to the overall look, it also makes it incredibly easy to pick up and move around.
I often use it as a centerpiece when dining outdoors, bringing the delicious fragrance of aromatic herbs to the table – you can easily create one yourself with this set of six herb plants from Walmart.
The only thing I was apprehensive about was the finish. I was concerned it would look 'too new' when I was keen to have an aged-feel. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find it doesn't have a perfectly shiny finish, with a slight mottled detail making it look weathered.
The best part is it's made of galvanized steel, so it won't rust or crack in in rainy and frosty conditions.
Perhaps the only downside to note is the fact it lacks drainage holes. But, the metal is thin enough to easily drill some. I've also added some perlite (which you can find on Amazon) to my herb garden's soil for extra drainage.
Considering other metal tub planters on the market are upwards of $50 (like this beautiful one from Wayfair), this IKEA KORKGRAN metal planter is a high-quality, affordable alternative.
Plus, you can also use it indoors and it works for space-saving gardening on a balcony, so it's a super versatile planter to have.
Shop Our IKEA Edit
These self-watering globes are ideal for keeping indoor and outdoor plants hydrated. Fill them with water and they'll gradually drip water into soil.
This propagation station has everything you need to root plant cuttings in water. It has capacity for five cuttings at one time.
This beautiful watering can has a long, narrow spout to water directly at the base of pot plants, indoor and out.
If you are planning to add a herb planter to your garden, take care to avoid herb gardening mistakes. This includes not harvesting regularly to encourage more growth. I like to keep herb gardening snips (like these from Amazon) to hand so I can collect fresh leaves whenever I go out onto my patio.
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