Here at VERANDA, we're all about helping your garden flourish. From teaching you how to grow dahlias to honoring the very best of landscape design with our annual garden awards to finding the best gifts for plant lovers, we're here for you. And now, we are letting you in on our favorite—and rather underrated—tool in the garden: the potting bench.
Great for smaller pots and for those who don't want to spend all their time on all fours, a potting bench is nothing short of a garden miracle. Gloria Clemmensen, a Birmingham, Alabama-based container garden expert and owner of Glorious, spends quite a bit of time at her own potting bench. She says that the first step before shopping is identifying what kind of gardener you are and the type of storage you need. She says, "A lot of these pre-made benches have a backboard for hanging your tools and some of them even have a drawer for soil, but it all depends on what kind of gardening you are doing."
Below, you'll find potting benches for every kind of gardener, whether you need ample work space or just a compact option for storing soil. After seeing our top choices, you'll be tempted to expand your garden furniture collection even further.
The Best Potting Tables to Buy Now
Pros
Expandable workspace to make potting easy- Reclaimed teak that can stay outside most of the year
Cons
- On the heavier side
- Should be covered and stored when not in use
Adding a potting bench to your garden can help provide storage and offer a workspace that enables you to garden without having to hunch over or kneel for long periods of time. A large potting bench like this reclaimed teak one, with the lovely addition of an expandable worktop, is optimal for the gardener who's got a lot of pots to fill.
About this potting bench:
| Material | Reclaimed teak |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 50.5 inchesWidth: 67-85 inches (expandable) Depth: 28 inches |
| Weight | 132 pounds |
| Unique Details | • Top shelf to store decorative pots, etc.• Expandable work space• Under bench storage for soil, etc. |
Best Wire Potting Bench
Iron Potting Bench
Pros
- Charming French countryside-inspired detailing
- Plenty of space for a pretty display
Cons
- No drawers or closed storage spaces
A little charm goes a long way in making your garden space feel more welcoming. With the two shelves at the top of this whimsical iron potting bench, there's plenty of room to put your prized garden possessions on display.
Clemmensen says, "I guess this is sort of cutesy, but I keep my tools standing up in pots. I have a bunch of antique looking pots, and they're just lined up on the bench."
You can find antique garden pots on a variety of different retailers, like Chairish and 1stDibs.
About this potting bench:
| Material | Iron |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 78.5 inchesWidth: 46 inches Depth: 18.5 inches |
| Unique Details | • Vintage • Two top shelves for display• Solid work surface |
Pros
- Dry sink for mixing soil that can be covered to allow for a bigger work surface
- Compact size for smaller gardens
Cons
- Small, so you might need additional garden storage
As any good gardener knows, it's essential to have rich soil to help your plants flourish. A dry sink where you can work and mix your soil is a gardener's best-kept secret. The sunken surface allows for everything to be carefully mixed without spilling over 0n to the ground. Bonus: The handy side hooks help keep tools within reach.
About this potting bench:
| Material | FSC®-certified Wood |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 39.375 inchesWidth: 33.125 inchesDepth: 19.75 inches |
| Weight | 27 pounds |
| Unique Details | • Dry sink• Side hooks for holding tools |
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Pros
- Drawer and hooks for convenient storage
Cons
- No sink
A drawer is a gardener's best friend, since it can be used to store additional soil or tools that you don't want exposed to the elements. This simple design allows for tools to be hung and bigger garden essentials, like hoses and watering cans, to be comfortably stored at the bottom.
About this potting bench:
| Material | Mixed Mahogany and Eucalyptus |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 71 inches Width: 37 Inches Depth: 21 inches |
| Unique Details | • Wire brushed finish for more rustic look and feel• Hooks below the top shelf and on the sides• Drawer |
Pros
- Decorative, charming design
Cons
- No storage space
One of the glories of the garden is that unexpected and quirky furnishings can still serve an important purpose. That said, some potting benches tend to be a little more stylish than utilitarian. While there aren't drawers or shelves to store your tools in this bench, it would sure look chic in your entryway holding pots of your favorite plants.
About this potting bench:
| Material | Antique Wood |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 19.63 inchesWidth: 57 inchesDepth: 13.13 inches |
| Unique Details | • Antique bench in French country style• Four spaces to hold pots |
Pros
- Dry sink can be covered and used as a workspace
Cons
- Assembly required
Top shelves, a dry sink, an expandable work surface, and hooks make this potting bench a home gardener's dream. Complete with wheels so you can move your garden station on a whim, this reasonably priced option has everything a gardener may need.
What Reviewers Say: "Great potting bench. Very clear easy assembly that only took about 20-30min."
About this potting bench:
| Material | Wood |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 58.25 inches Width: 39.5-58 inches (expandable)Depth: 18 inches |
| Weight | 31 pounds |
| Unique Details | • Expandable sliding tabletop with a hidden sink• Wheels to allow for easy movement• Pretreated so wood doesn't turn gray |
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Pros
- Cabinet doors allow for everything to be hidden
- Adjustable interior shelves
Cons
- Teak will develop a natural silver patina if left untreated
Those looking for a potting bench that keeps things looking sleek and tidy may want to opt for an outdoor storage cabinet instead. Everything has a place in this thoughtfully designed piece of furniture, thanks to the hidden storage below the work surface.
About this potting bench:
| Material | Teak |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Height: 40 inchesWidth: 42 inchesDepth: 20.75 inches |
| Weight | 200 pounds |
| Unique Details | • Cabinet doors• Additional storage under the work surface |
What to Look For In a Potting Bench
For the home gardener, a potting bench is a wonderful place to store smaller accessories, soil, and tools. It also serves as an ideal place for container gardening—especially when working in pots.
If you are working on projects that require for you to mix a lot of soil, a dry sink might be a valuable addition. For others, a large flat work surface to pot plants or create arrangements might be more important.
Material, size, storage, and workspace type are other important factors to consider when purchasing a potting bench. Consider the size of your outdoor space—and measure everything twice—before shopping.
Treated wood like teak or metal are the best options for a potting bench, as those materials are tough enough to take on the elements. Clemmensen keeps hers in an outdoor covered area, which allows for the bench to be slightly protected from the harshest weather.
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Meet the Expert
Gloria Clemmensen is a gardener based out of Mountain Brook, Alabama. She travels around the greater Birmingham area creating beautiful container gardens through her business called Glorious. If you are in the area or would like to learn more about container gardening, email her at glorious46@att.net.
Mary Alice Russell
Assistant Market Editor
Mary Alice Russell (she/her) is the assistant market editor for VERANDA. She composes gift guides and stories about style, design, decor, shopping, markets, and trends. Currently attempting to master the art of needlepoint, Mary Alice loves creating, baking and discovering hidden treasures like sea glass or the perfect chai latte.
