Potscaping: why large pots are redefining our terraces and gardens
On the ground, the question often arises.
“We love our terrace, but something is missing…”
And very quickly, the discussion shifts to the pots, the large jars, the XXL terracotta pots. Not just simple containers, but true landscape architecture tools.
At architecte-paysagiste.be, we are increasingly talking about potscaping: the art of using pots as structural elements of the garden and terrace. Here’s why this approach is becoming so important today, and how to use it wisely.
“A pot is not just decoration, is it?”
Exactly.
A large terracotta potallows you to do what few arrangements can do so simply: structure the space without heavy work.
On aterrace, a few large jars well positioned can:
divide a space into several zones (dining, relaxation, circulation),
create perspectives,
hide or reveal views,
establish a more intimate atmosphere without partitioning.
It is often the most elegant solution when one does not want – or cannot – alter the existing structure.
Pots and apartment terraces: an obvious choice
In urban environments, pots make even more sense.
On anapartment or penthouse terrace, the custom planters and the XXL terracotta pots allow for:
creating plant screens without massive railings,
introducing 'reconstituted' soil where the ground is mineral,
working with height and depth without visual overload.
It is also a very current response to the demand for refuge gardens, more intimate, more enveloping, even at height.
"Why terracotta rather than another material?"
The question is legitimate. And the answer is not solely aesthetic.
A large terracotta pot, especially when made traditionally, has several concrete advantages:
it is breathable, which better regulates root moisture,
it ages well and develops a patina over time,
it integrates naturally into both contemporary and more classic gardens.
At the landscape architect's, we deliberately work with craftspeople who still make pots by hand, according to traditional know-how.
Beyond the object, this allows us to support local craftsmanship, often located in rural areas where these activities remain essential to the economy.
Potscaping, in line with current trends
The success of potscaping can also be explained by its alignment with major gardening trends:
flexibility: a pot can be moved, adapted, evolved,
climate resilience: better water management, precise substrate choice,
evolving gardens: we adjust the project over time, without having to redo everything.
The XXL terracotta potsthus become true building blocks of the landscape.
Beware of weight: a point too often overlooked
This is a topic we systematically address with our clients.
A large jar, once filled, can become very heavy.
Before choosing:
it is necessary to check the load-bearing capacity of the terrace,
anticipate access (delivery, handling),
sometimes favour lighter pots or mixed systems.
This is particularly true for terraces on apartments or roofs.
How to properly fill a large pot?
Good potscaping starts with good implementation.
Here is a foundation that we apply on the ground:
Drainage layer at the bottom
Clay balls or suitable drainage material.
Geotextile
To prevent the soil from clogging the drainage.
Suitable substrate
A mix of topsoil, potting soil, and, if necessary, drainage materials.
Water management
Depending on the plants, the addition of a water-retaining gel may be relevant to limit water stress.
Consistent plant choice
The pot does not correct a poor plant choice. Exposure, wind, and root volume remain crucial.
A pot, a project in its own right
This may be the most important point.
An XXL terracotta pot should not be chosen at the end of the project, 'to decorate'. It should be designed as an element of the landscaping project, just like a terrace or a staircase.
When used well, the pot becomes:
a space marker,
a support for sustainable vegetation,
a link between architecture and landscape.
In conclusion
Potscaping is not a gimmicky trend.
It is a simple, elegant, and sustainable response to many contemporary constraints: lack of soil, need for privacy, changing uses, climate adaptation.
And what if, ultimately, the future of the garden also lay in these large pots, capable of transforming a space without freezing it?
At architecte-paysagiste.be, it is certainly a belief that we test, adjust and refine every day in the field.