forget wood or plastic. All markers bleach out in the sun on plastic and the wood rots.

I recommend using copper tags for a permanent solution unaffected by sun.

I've made some terra cotta plant markers. They sell paint pens and paint for terra cotta that supposedly won't fade or wash off.

Tracy

I use the inexpensive white plastic stick in soil labels, They are matte on one side & smooth on the other. I cut the pointed part (that's supposed to go in soil) off & poke a hole in the plastic with a hot nail (I actually use a soldering iron I keep handy) & wire it to the plants. I write on the matte side with a very soft pencil (#1). I have labels that are 5 years old or older & still easily readable. That's close enough to permanent to suit me. The white makes the labels easy to find on large plants ;o)
Al

You can also cut strips from soda cans & write on them with a pen, with the same results as the copper labels suggested above.

You can also cut strips from soda cans & write on them with a pen, with the same results as the copper labels suggested above.

Hmmm, that is a suggestion the folks on the frugal gardening forum might like