Make Good Wall planters

The Verdict

Vertical gardening that doesn’t look like a compromise

Most wall planters are either flimsy plastic pocket systems that sag within a month or heavy, expensive cedar builds that require a contractor. The Make Good Wall planters sit in a sweet spot — rigid, weatherproof, and genuinely easy to install. After 229 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, the consensus is clear: these are the ones to buy if you want a living wall without the usual headaches.

What’s actually in the box: Three modular planter boxes (each roughly 24" × 8" × 4"), stainless mounting screws with wall anchors, and a small rubber mallet for seating the planters into their wall brackets. The boxes interlock vertically via a tongue-and-groove edge, so you can stack them into a continuous green wall or space them out as individual accents. The material is a UV-stabilized polypropylene composite — it’s not going to crack in freezing temps like cheaper ABS plastic, and it won’t warp in direct afternoon sun.

Real-world performance: The standout feature is the drainage system. Each box has a raised interior floor with weep holes that channel excess water forward, away from your wall surface, into a slim collection tray. One reviewer noted, “I mounted these on a white painted fence and after a month of daily watering there’s zero streaking — the water exits cleanly and evaporates from the tray.” That’s a huge deal because most vertical planters in this price range just dump water down your siding.

The mounting system is also genuinely well thought out. Keyhole slots on the back let you slide the boxes onto screw heads already in your wall — no need to hold a heavy, soil-filled planter while trying to drive screws. The included stainless hardware is appropriate for wood, brick, and stucco, though you’ll want to supply your own masonry anchors if you’re going into concrete.

Where it falls short: The ~3.5-inch soil depth is the elephant in the room. This is a planter for herbs, lettuce, strawberries, and trailing annuals — not a substitute for a raised bed. If you try to grow carrots or deep-rooted perennials, you’ll see stunted growth and root-bound plants. Also, there’s no installation template in the box. The keyhole slots mean you have to measure and mark screw positions perfectly the first time — there’s no adjustment once the screws are set. Several reviewers mentioned this, with one writing, “Wish they’d included a paper template. I got the first box slightly crooked and had to re-drill.”

One more thing: the matte finish is attractive but unforgiving. If you have hard tap water, you’ll see white mineral deposits building up on the front face. A vinegar-water wipe-down every couple of weeks handles it, but it’s worth knowing before you mount these in a highly visible spot.

Who should buy these:

• Apartment dwellers with a balcony: These turn a bare railing or fence into a productive herb garden. You can mount them at waist height for easy harvesting.
• Homeowners with blank exterior walls: The modular design lets you cover a large area with a cohesive, clean look — much more polished than pocket-style planters.
• Anyone who’s been burned by cheap fabric or plastic vertical gardens: The rigid construction and proper drainage solve the two biggest complaints in this category.

Skip them if: you want to grow deep-rooted vegetables, or if you’re not comfortable measuring and leveling your own mounting points.

FAQ

Q: Can these survive winter outdoors? Yes. The polypropylene composite is rated to -20°F and won’t crack or fade. However, you should empty the soil before deep freezes if you want to reuse it — freeze-thaw cycles will break down potting mix faster.

Q: How many plants fit in one box? For herbs like basil or mint, 3-4 plants per box is comfortable. For trailing plants like trailing petunias or creeping Jenny, 2-3 is better to allow for spread.

Q: Are these truly self-watering? No. They have excellent drainage and a collection tray, but you’ll still need to water by hand or install a drip line. The open design actually helps prevent overwatering, which is the most common cause of indoor plant death.

The Verdict

The Make Good Wall planters deliver exactly what the 4.6-star rating suggests — a well-engineered, attractive vertical gardening solution that solves the drainage and durability problems plaguing cheaper alternatives. The shallow depth is a real limitation, but for the intended use case (herbs, greens, and trailing ornamentals), these are outstanding.

Buy it if: You want a clean, permanent-looking living wall without hiring a contractor, and you’re growing shallow-rooted plants.

Skip it if: You need deep soil for vegetables, or you’re looking for a zero-measurement, peel-and-stick installation.

Rating: 4.6/5 — Deducting half a star for the missing mounting template and the modest soil depth. Everything else earns its keep.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.