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Fiona Henne

Upgrade Your Garden with Teak Wood Planters

Updated: Jan 26


teak planter box with beautiful flowers and herbs

Introduction

Thinking of sprucing up your garden with some planters? With many options for material and style, it can be difficult to determine what works best. Teak wood makes the best planters. Continue reading for more information about why teak may be perfect for your garden, as well as how to clean and maintain your beautiful teak planters.


What is Teak Wood?

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood tree species that is best known for its impressive durability and water resistance. It is originally golden brown in color and has a smooth grain and texture. Teak wood has a high natural oil content, primarily silica, which provides its strength and decay resistance as well as its stunning color. All of these characteristics make it a very popular choice for outdoor furniture, countertops, cutting boards, and more.


Benefits of Teak Wood Planters

Beauty

The most striking aspect of teak wood is its beauty. Teak’s unique golden color is highly sought after. It makes a beautiful, natural addition to any garden. Over the years as teak is exposed to the elements, the color fades to a beautiful and soft, gray patina. Many teak owners enjoy this distinguished silvery-gray look. Others prefer the teak’s original color and take steps to preserve it.


Durability

One of the most appealing characteristics of teak wood is its trusty durability. Teak is a very hard wood, so problems with cracking and splintering are minimal. As previously mentioned, teak has large amounts of natural oil. Because oil and water don't mix, rain cannot easily penetrate the surface which makes teak water resistant as well as resistant to rotting and warping. This is an extremely important quality for a planter, as water is essential for healthy plants.


Aesthetic Versatility

Part of teak’s versatility comes from the fact that it offers two distinct colors—golden brown or silvery gray. This allows it to fit right in with a multitude of different aesthetic styles. Teak planters can provide a subtle, muted elegance, as well as a warm, inviting element to your garden.


What’s more, is that you are not permanently locked into either of these colors. If you choose to uphold the original golden color, you may opt for a teak oil to finish your planters. If you want to try out the gray, skip the yearly staining and watch your beautiful planter mature into a silver hue.



How to Maintain Your Teak Planters

In order to ensure that your planters live up to their expectations, some maintenance is recommended. Feel free to check out our blog on restoring outdoor teak furniture for a more in-depth guide.


Cleaning

Hose off your planter to remove any loose dirt. Grab a soft brush, sponge, or rag and begin cleaning with a teak cleaner or a simple soapy water solution. Be sure to avoid using a metal brush or steel wool on your teak, as they are too harsh.


Grab your hose again and rinse your planter once more. This step is important, as leftover soap can interfere with the refinishing process and wear down your wood.


Sanding

Sanding your planter will remove the outer layer of gray wood and any leftover impurities. Use a medium to coarse-grit sandpaper or a finer grit if any rough patches persist. If you have a lot of surface area to cover, you can opt for a power sander. Just be sure to wear a dust mask and eye protection if you go this route.


Washing Once More

Giving your planter one more wash ensures that all dust and debris are cleaned from the surface. For this step, we recommend a simple water and vinegar solution. Gently rub the solution on with a sponge or rag, then rinse it off with your hose.


Applying an Oil

This step will provide extra protection to your teak as well as preserve its natural color for longer. It is important to note that you should take caution when choosing a oil for planters, especially if you are growing edible plants. Look for an eco-friendly, non-toxic wood preservative—safe for you and your plants. You can use this on the inside and outside of your planters.


To apply the oil, we recommend first pouring it into a bowl. Then, dip a rag into the bowl and rub the rag over your planter. After you’ve covered the whole surface area, give it a few hours to dry and add a second coat.


For best results, repeat this process every year.


In Conclusion…

Teak provides the unique beauty, durability, and versatility that your planters need. Little maintenance is required to uphold these benefits, especially if you prefer to let your teak age to its soft, gray patina. Either way, your gardens will look lovely with the addition of teak planters.


Where You Buy Your Teak Matters

At Diamond Tropical Hardwoods, all of our teak has been sustainably sourced from our plantations in Costa Rica. It is all 100% FSC certified with proper chain of custody certifications.


Diamond Tropical Hardwoods has been making teak wood planters for 20 years. They contain marine-grade stainless steel hardware and trusted waterproof adhesives. Each comes with drainage holes and your soil can be placed directly in the planter—no need for a liner.


If you’re looking for a unique custom order, we are up for just about any challenge you throw our way. Send us an email or call to begin constructing your dream planter today!


215-257-2556


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