Lidl wooden planter box with trellis for £29.99: a smart privacy solution

Anyone wanting to get a balcony or tiny garden ready for spring tends to hit the same obstacles: where to put plants, how to add a bit of privacy - and ideally without paying for an expensive screening fence. Lidl’s latest garden deal is aimed squarely at that problem: a sturdy wooden planter with a built-in trellis, arriving in Great Britain at £29.99 and already being talked about as a smart pick for the gardening season.

What Lidl’s new planter box is all about

As part of its seasonal garden promotions, Lidl is selling a rectangular planter made from solid wood with a tall trellis integrated into the back. That pairing covers two jobs at once: herbs, flowers or perennials go in the box below, while climbers use the trellis above - and after a few weeks you can end up with a living green screen.

"A compact wooden box, a sturdy trellis - and over time you get a living privacy screen that barely takes up any space."

The planter holds around 20 litres of compost and is rated for loads of up to 30 kilograms. That makes it suitable not only for a handful of bedding plants, but also for more substantial plants with a proper root ball. The wood is factory-treated with a water-based stain and, according to the retailer, designed to resist weathering and UV - in other words, it can stay outdoors permanently.

At roughly 60 cm wide, 28 cm deep and about 1 metre high, it should fit on most balconies and patios, or against a clear section of wall. A plastic liner insert is included, so you do not need to hunt down a matching inlay separately.

Why this planter box is so appealing for small gardens

Especially in towns and cities, outdoor space often comes with compromises: a tiny balcony, a narrow strip by a hedge, or a patio that sits right next to the pavement. Traditional screening panels need room and can look bulky. A trellis solution, by contrast, neatly bridges decoration and practicality.

A green screen instead of a bare wall

The trellis is designed so that common climbers can latch on and grow upwards easily: sweet peas, clematis, nasturtiums or jasmine can turn the wooden frame into a vertical garden within a single summer. If you sit close to a road or right by a boundary fence, this gives you a softer, greener buffer - rather than staring straight at brickwork or panels.

• Helps block prying eyes when you are eating on the patio
• Makes a street-facing balcony feel calmer
• Breaks up the look of cold, plain exterior walls
• Gives climbing plants a clear structure to follow

Unlike a fixed fence, the overall effect feels far lighter. Many people also find a planted screen more pleasant when children are playing outside - it feels more natural than a rigid divider.

Family-friendly: children can garden at the right height

One advantage that is easy to overlook: a raised planter is ideal for children. Instead of shuffling around on their knees in a bed, they can water and dig comfortably while standing. Parents can keep an eye on what is happening, and the lawn stays intact.

If you want to try a few simple projects with children, you could use the planter like this:

• At the front of the box: fast growers such as radishes, cut-and-come-again lettuce or pot marigolds
• At the back by the trellis: climbers such as nasturtiums or sugar snap peas
• Watering rota: children take fixed days - responsibility included

That way, children can watch a seed turn into a real plant. It is satisfying for them and, almost as a side effect, gets them outside more.

Technical details: what buyers can expect

Lidl lists clear specifications for the new planter. If you want to check whether it will suit your balcony or garden before buying, these are the key points:

Feature	Specification
Material	Solid wood, pre-treated with a water-based finish
Dimensions	approx. 60 cm wide, 28 cm deep, 100 cm high
Capacity	around 20 litres of compost
Maximum load	up to 30 kg
Weather resistance	designed for permanent outdoor use
What’s included	wooden frame, trellis, plastic insert, fixings and instructions

Assembly is typically just a handful of screws and a screwdriver. Compared with building a full raised bed, the effort is much smaller - some people have it put together and planted up in just a few minutes.

Which plants work well in the Lidl planter box

The strength of this setup is the two-part design: a compact planting area below and a vertical growing space above. Used well, it becomes a small but highly efficient mini bed.

Ideas for food lovers: herbs and snackable veg

If you enjoy cooking, a dedicated herb corner near the patio door makes a lot of sense. In the planter you can combine, for example:

• Rosemary, thyme and oregano for Mediterranean dishes
• Parsley and chives as everyday staples
• Mint for tea and summer drinks (ideally with a root barrier so it does not take over)

On the trellis, sugar snap peas, beans or climbing tomatoes can grow upwards. Children can grab a pod as they pass, while the adults can quickly snip fresh herbs when the barbecue is on.

A splash of colour for balconies and patios

If you are prioritising looks, a mix of trailing and climbing flowering plants works particularly well. In the lower section, good options include:

• Trailing petunias or verbenas
• Bidens, calibrachoa and marigolds
• Small grasses to add structure

Up the trellis you can train sweet peas, black-eyed Susan vine or nasturtiums. Nasturtiums bring a handy bonus: the flowers are edible and make a decorative addition to salads.

Care and durability: keeping the wooden box looking good

Even though the timber comes pre-treated, it is still worth thinking about maintenance. If you want to use the planter for several years, apply a fresh coat of exterior wood stain every one to two years. With a brush, it only takes a few minutes and helps prevent greying and cracks.

"Once per season, a quick coat of wood stain - and the planter will easily see you through several gardening years."

In hard frost or prolonged rain, it helps to raise the planter slightly on small feet or stones so the wood is not sitting in water. That lets it dry more quickly, which can significantly extend its lifespan.

The included plastic liner provides extra protection for the timber. If you cut a few drainage holes into it and add a thin drainage layer of expanded clay pebbles or gravel, you can reduce the risk of waterlogging around the roots.

Why vertical solutions are becoming so popular

Demand for space-saving gardening ideas has been rising for years. Many people rent their homes or only have a small outdoor area. Traditional vegetable plots are often unrealistic, while vertical systems are far more workable. A planter with a trellis functions like a mini raised bed plus a support frame - just in a slimmer footprint.

There is also something many people only notice once they try it: it changes what you see when you look outside. Instead of looking at wheelie bins or a garage wall, you see greenery. If your desk faces the balcony, that shift can noticeably lift your mood, especially when working from home.

For allergy sufferers or households with young children, a planter like this can also be a controllable alternative to a more untamed garden. Only the species you choose will grow. If you react strongly to certain pollen, you can avoid problem plants while still enjoying a lush, planted look.