Long Narrow Planter Under Window

3 years ago

I have an outdoor shed with a window, and I want a planter below that window that fills up the space. I am thinking about putting tall narrow succulents like Crassula tetragona, as shown in an Internet photo below. My question is how wide should I make the planter under the window?

I like the cactus in the pot on the right, and that will grow up the right side of the window and should look nice as it matures.

If I wanted to center a narrow planter under the window, that would leave its edges about where the bottom window trim is, but it would leave the left side of the window empty.

How do others think it would look to have the planter go from the right edge of the window trim to the left edge of the shed, which would create a somewhat asymmetric appearance of the planter relative to the shed.

I have asked about this before but wanted to show the area with the current surroundings and get a fresh set of opinions.

Featured Answer

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

3 years ago

I'd have either a planter going across the whole width of the shed or a planter the width of the window and centred on it. With either of these choices I would not have the potted plant. If I kept the potted plant, I would not have the box. It would be too cluttered imo. And if that is a path ging around the shed have you considerd plants getting in the way of it?

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Comments (10)

Sigrid
3 years ago
Get some cardboard or old boxes and mock up the size you're considering.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked Sigrid
callirhoe123
3 years ago
Confused by your question, If you centered the planter, how would it leave the left side empty? If you mean that there wouldn't be a plant in a pot to balance the cactus, put one there,
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked callirhoe123
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popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
3 years ago
I think I understand your question. You are assuming the cactus in the pot will grow tall enough to consume the space between the window and the right side of the shed. So you asked if having a window box extend from the right side of the window all the way to the left side of the shed would look odd due to it being asymmetrical. In my opinion, yes.

But it's your shed and your window box.

I think this would look better.

I think it will be a long time before that cactus on the right consumes that space. When it does, I think it will still look fine. Having one plant in a pot as an off-center accent seems ok to me rather than trying to balance that by extending a window box in the other direction.

Optionally, you could put another pot on the left hand side and grow something in it that will also be tall and narrow.

Hope this helps. If I got your question completely wrong, then feel free to just ignore me. :)
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
3 years ago
@popmama (Colorado, USDA z5) Well you are close but I did not explain it well enough. I want a rectangular planter on the ground, not at window level. The question is whether that planter should be the width of the window, centered on the window. Or would it be okay to offset it to the left. Here is a modified photo with a planter in red offset to the left.
ptreckel
3 years ago
One rectangular planter centered on the window. Move the cactus.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked ptreckel
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
3 years ago
@floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK You are probably right that the pot and the planter both work alone, but less so together. I would keep things very narrow to prevent a problem on the walking path.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
3 years ago
A picture is worth a hundred words! I'm in agreement with the others. Planter centered below the window. Personally I like the idea of it being slightly wider than the window but you do you.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
sportycatriley
3 years ago
Just to be clear, I think for a pleasing look, you want to focus more on balance, rather than pots or planters going together. @popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)'s red lines illustrate that idea. I would find a different location for your potted cactus. Another alternative is you could put a pot and plant similar in size to your potted cactus, on the other side of the window, so the two balance each other, although it looks like you would have to use a paver or some more rocks in order to level the surface under the second pot.
marmiegard_z7b
3 years ago
Center the planter. Just a bit wider than the window would give a nice grounded feel with the narrower window above.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked marmiegard_z7b