33 Wheelbarrow Planter Ideas for Your Garden

wheelbarrow planter ideas

Did you know that any old wheelbarrow can become a spectacular new planter for your garden? With a little bit of effort and style, you can create your own unique design!

Old and retired gardening gear makes for a great addition to the garden itself. For an easily planted, whimsical landscaping idea, you can roll an old wheelbarrow into any open space in the garden, planting it with a beautiful collection of flowers.

The portable nature of this type of planter means that you can move it for special occasions like garden parties, or simply reset your garden’s focal point on a whim. With a broad base offering plenty of planting space, you can easily rearrange the look of your garden once the centerpiece is on wheels!

One tip we’ve picked up is to line metal wheelbarrow vessels with some heavy-duty plastic. This will keep it from degrading further and rusting into the soil. If you notice any holes, pull the plastic through and snip it to allow for drainage. Once you’ve filled the wheelbarrow with soil, let your imagination run away with planting ideas!

Rustic Wheelbarrow Planter for Succulents

wheelbarrow planter 07

Here we have a wheelbarrow stuffed with succulents, leaving plenty of space for growth. With the dusty surroundings and rustic, well-used wheelbarrow, this desert setting looks right at home.

A Bright Yellow Wheelbarrow Planter

wheelbarrow planter 05

Using a brand new, colorful wheelbarrow with a plastic bin, this setup involves a large box planter, plus space around the edges for tools. This idea allows for continued usability for the wheelbarrow, as well as portability for the flowers.

A Wheelbarrow Planter for Vertical Options

wheelbarrow planter 06

This idea showcases another brand new wheelbarrow in use, with a subtle grey plastic vessel. The flowers are packed in tightly for a seamless look.

A Bright, Mini Wheelbarrow for Small Blooms

wheelbarrow planter 04

Here we see another brightly colored wheelbarrow in use. The yellow paint helps it stand out, holding subtle greenery.

Modern Aluminum Wheelbarrow

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This modern aluminum wheelbarrow is placed elegantly on a tile path next to the lawn, filled with thick greenery and purple flowers, with a small gnome popping out.

Overflowing Wheelbarrow of Long, Hanging Plants

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This old rusted wheelbarrow is the perfect example of reusing old gardening hardware as completely as possible. A heady mixture of colors spills down every side, blooming tall over the vessel.

A Rustic Wheelbarrow

wheelbarrow planter 01

Here’s another rusty wheelbarrow, with worn wooden handles that complement its lush green surroundings. Brightly hued pink and orange flowers sprout from the vessel in contrast.

A Rusty Green and Yellow Wheelbarrow Planter

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This wheelbarrow holds a green bin over a rusted frame, set against a fence. Large succulent plants fill the space, peeking over the tall rim like a small forest.

A Shallow Wheelbarrow for Colorful Blooms

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This extremely old wheelbarrow even sports a metal wheel with no tread! Practically merging with the ground, it’s filled with bright flowers and lush greenery, spilling to the grass.

Shades of Yellow Wheelbarrow to Brighten Your Garden

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Here’s another old-fashioned wheelbarrow with a metal wheel and completely rust-coated frame. Bright yellow daffodils stand beside in a large wicker planter, while more of the flowers fill the entirety of the wheelbarrow.

A Bright and Colorful Wheelbarrow Planter

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This colorful old fashioned model stands freshly repainted in red and yellow, playing host to rows of multicolored pansies.

White Blooms Spilling Over a Green Wheelbarrow

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This green wheelbarrow is almost stealth-like, blending into its grassy surroundings. Buried under a wash of white hanging flowers, it’s the perfect complement to this yard.

A Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter with Pansies

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Here’s another old fashioned wheelbarrow, entirely built in wood! This design is perfect for those who would like to stain the wood, creating a rich look in the garden. Purple and pink flowers pop in contrast above.

Overflowing Wheelbarrow Full of Annuals and Perennials

fairegarden wheelbarrow 01

Source: Faire Garden

This wheelbarrow is deep enough to hold soil for dozens of individual flowers, ripe with greenery and a rainbow of colors. Set into a thick garden, it blends in perfectly.

Wheels, Spokes, and Plants with White Blooms

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This wheelbarrow stands next to a massive wagon wheel, echoing the shape of its own singular wheel. Large plants burst out, surrounded in white flowers, contrasting with the rustic and rusty look.

A Custom-Built All-Wood Wheelbarrow

houseplansandmore wheelbarrow 01

Source: House Plans and More

Here’s a modern all-wood wheelbarrow, with clean lines and fresh natural wood hues. Bright pink and green colors explode from the container, making this a perfect standalone piece.

A Rustic Wheelbarrow Planter with Pink Blooms

houzz wheelbarrow 01

This dull copper-hued wheelbarrow is parked on a stone garden path between rows of greenery and flowers. Stocked with bright magenta bulbs, it sounds out perfectly and unobtrusively.

A Shallow Wheelbarrow Filled with Pansies

gardeninacity wheelbarrow 01

Source: Garden Inacity

Here’s a black wheelbarrow, spread over with white and purple flowers. The dark wheelbarrow frame helps the entire piece blend in with the dark-hued yard.

Antique Planter for a Porch or Pergola

vintagediana wheelbarrow 01

Source: Vintage Diana

This truly vintage mini-wheelbarrow features faded green paint and a pair of side wheels. Extra portability allows this idea to thrive on a raised patio, with a bright mixture of flowers complementing it.

Ornamental Wooden Planter for Marigolds

northerntrading wheelbarrow 01

Source: Northern Trading

Here’s another adorable modern wood wheelbarrow, this time with a black metal wheel in traditional fashion. The miniature design is perfect for a small set of flowers, including marigolds, to bloom in portable peace.

Rustic Red Wheelbarrow for Succulent Plants

maysdream wheelbarrow 01

Source: Mays Dream Garden

This rustic red wheelbarrow in an all-metal frame houses a sprawling collection of succulents and other green plants, spilling over the edges of the wide frame.

Old Wooden Wheelbarrow for a Patio

goodshomedesign wheelbarrow 01

Source: Goods Home Design

This rustic box-frame wheelbarrow stands next to a deck in faded wood hues and rust, with a naturally spilling set of purple flowers and greenery.

A Wheelbarrow Planter Full of Flourishing Bushes

goodshomedesign wheelbarrow 02

Source: Goods Home Design

This is another stunning example of wheelbarrow gardening. The old-fashioned wood frame wheelbarrow is buried under a cloud of red, blue, and green while standing on a small rock platform amidst the grass.

Wheelbarrow of Blooms of Red

Wooden Wildflowers

This wooden wheelbarrow is ideal for this patio setting because it matches the space and the red and white blooms provide a delightful contrast. Plants that can droop over the edge of the planter will look best.

An Intricate Stone Wheelbarrow for Winter Plants

cabbage wheelbarrow planter

This wheelbarrow showcases a rich tapestry of ornamental cabbages in hues of deep purples and vibrant greens, interwoven with cascades of silver-toned dusty miller. The contrasting textures and colors come together harmoniously, creating a visual spectacle that captures the essence of autumn’s splendor.

White Wheelbarrow with Red Blooms

begonias in Wheelbarrow

This planter is designed with material that resembles siding on a house. The entirety of it is painted white, while the flowers have red blooms and bright green foliage that looks great against the white.

Rust Red Wheelbarrow with Long, Flowing Plants

wheelbarrow flowers hanging

When you have a lot of plants that are long without hanging baskets, this planter is a great option that will raise the plant from the ground and offer space to train them as you see fit.

A Mahogany Wheelbarrow Planter for a Patio

wooden painted wheelbarrow

If you have a small garden, then this wooden planter is a great centerpiece to draw your eye. The stained wood and the bright blooms will help add a colorful contrast to your outdoor space.

An Old, Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter

This planter will create the perfect rustic look in your outdoor space, especially if you have stones in your garden. As you can see, it works well in the grass with flowers dangling over the sides of the wheelbarrow.

Pink Flower Planter for Your Patio

This wheelbarrow is reminiscent of the old west. It is made of worn wood, and the plants hang over the edge far enough to touch the ground. Bright colored blooms look best in this planter.

An Angular Wheelbarrow Planter for the Lawn

This rickety wheelbarrow is ideal for a garden space that needs some flavor. This planter is made from unstained wood, and you can add a lovely contrast to the space by adding bright blooming flowers

Green Wheelbarrow Planter for a Garden

wheelbarrow planter with pots

This planter is an excellent option for a patio or a stone garden that does not have a lot of colors. The wheelbarrow is a dark green, which perfectly matches the foliage of the surrounding plants.

Climbing Plants in a Wheelbarrow Planter

wagon planters

If you are looking to plant more in the vertical space of your garden, then this wheelbarrow will give you the height that you are looking for, especially with ivy-like plants that dangle

Conclusion

We hope this collection has been inspiring. Using a simple item many of us already have lying around, these ideas show the surprising variety and beauty that can be achieved. We love many garden-centric recycling ideas, but wheelbarrow planters are one of our favorites. Both practical and unique, it’s a perfect project to start as we head into spring!