Lidl's New $30 Planter Box With Trellis is a Garden Steal – But Don't Overlook This Important Detail if You Want Climbers to Thrive
It’s a great-value buy, but success depends on how you use it – get the setup right, and it can support healthy, productive climbers.
A compact planter with a built-in trellis for less than $30? It’s exactly the kind of middle aisle find that has gardeners queuing round the block. But is it too good to be true? Lidl’s new Parkside planter box ticks every… well, box at first glance: a neat footprint, attractive natural wood, and a ready-made support for climbing plants that can elevate any patio or even a balcony garden.
But, before you load up your cart, there’s one important detail worth paying attention to – and it will make or break your planting plans. So, what’s the catch? With a 5-gallon capacity, it’s a bit on the small side for many vigorous climbing plants. So, while it’s perfect if your planter box ideas consist of a couple of pea plants or annual vining flowers, if you’re envisioning a row of sprawling tomatoes, then it’s not the best option.
So, how do you decide if Lidl’s latest bargain buy is right for you? First, you need to think about what plants you actually want to grow in it. And, if it’s too small, don’t worry, as we have picked out some great-value trellised planters with plenty of room for plants to spread out.
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The Parkside wooden planter box with trellis (23.6 × 11 × 39.3 in.) offers a 5.28-gallon capacity with a durable, weather- and UV-resistant design. Available in Natural or Gray, featuring a plastic insert, eco-friendly water-based varnish, and a built-in trellis for climbing plants and added privacy, it's ideal for gardens, patios, decks, or balconies.
Why it Might Be Too Small
Climbers aren’t just about what you see above the soil. To really perform – producing strong stems, lush foliage, and flowers, they need a decent root run. So, in a shallow planter, certain crops and ornamentals are quickly gong to hit their limits, which shows up as:
- Slower growth and thinner stems
- Fewer flowers and fruit
- Increased watering and fertilizing needs
- Plants quick to dry out in warm weather
So, What Can You Grow in It?
Just because Lid’s Parkside planter box is small doesn’t mean it’s not worth buying - it’s a great option for renters and anyone short of space. You just need to match the plant to the container. This planter works best with lighter, less demanding climbers, such as:
- Sweet peas
- Black-eyed Susan vine
- Nasturtiums trained upwards
- Compact annual climbers
- Smaller pea and pole bean plants
You can also think slightly differently and use the trellis as a support rather than a full climbing system. For example, you could tie in dwarf tomatoes, peppers, or even trailing strawberries to lift them slightly off the soil. Alternatively, have one medium-sized climber as a statement plant, then surround the edges with herbs or low-growing flowers.
When to Size Up
If your goal is a proper vertical feature – think a full screen of foliage or a long-flowering climber like clematis – you’ll want something closer to:
- 10-15 gallon minimum capacity for most perennial climbers or little row of tomatoes
- Greater depth for moisture retention and root stability
- A sturdier support that can handle weight over time
In other words, this Lidl buy is best treated as a starter trellis planter, not a long-term home for heavy hitters.
Planter Boxes With Room to Grow
This raised fir wood planter with trellis and roof offers a generous 21-gallon soil capacity, with a deep 10″ planting bed, built-in drainage, and a sturdy natural wood frame designed for healthy plant growth. Mounted on smooth, lockable castors for easy positioning, it also features an overhead trellis for climbing plants and hanging baskets, making it a versatile choice for patios or gardens.
This large raised planter with an overhead trellis combines generous planting space with vertical growing potential, making it ideal for everything from flowers and herbs to climbing vegetables. Built from durable fir wood with integrated drainage, it offers a practical and visually striking solution for maximising garden or patio space.
This double planter box with a central trellis holds around 30 gallons of soil in total, giving you ample room to grow flowers, vegetables, and climbing plants on either side. Made from durable, weather-resistant metal with built-in drainage and smooth-rolling wheels, it combines vertical growing space with easy mobility – ideal for patios, balconies, or backyard gardens.
This arch metal planter with trellis combines a generous 29-gallon soil capacity with a striking curved design, offering ample space for flowers, vegetables, and climbing plants to thrive. Built from durable, corrosion-resistant metal with drainage and a self-watering system, it also features lockable wheels for easy positioning, making it a practical yet eye-catching addition to any patio or garden.
This raised wooden planter with trellis holds around 35 gallons of soil, providing plenty of room to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and climbing plants in one compact setup. Crafted from durable fir wood with built-in drainage and an ergonomic waist-height design, it also features a lattice trellis for vertical growing and decorative displays, making it a versatile addition to patios, balconies, or garden spaces.
This wicker planter with trellis offers a compact 15-gallon soil capacity, combining a hand-woven PE rattan finish with a sturdy metal frame for a stylish yet durable outdoor feature. Designed with a built-in liner, drainage system, and vertical trellis, it’s perfect for growing climbers, flowers, or herbs while doubling as an elegant privacy screen for patios or balconies.
At $29.99, Lidl’s trellised planter is undeniably good value and a smart pick for small-space gardening. Just don’t let the trellis fool you into overplanting.
Used well, it’s perfect for quick seasonal color and light climbers. But expect to support a lush row of heavy climbers? You’ll find it to be undersized. If you go in with the right expectations and the right plants, however, it’s a garden steal.
