This collection of creative and functional potting bench ideas comes from home gardens. While some are intended as a place to display garden art, others are good, functional tables that make fast work of plant care.
A work area like this is also perfect for tasks like regrowing geraniums from cuttings.
Potting Bench Ideas
Once you get a potting bench you will wonder why you waited so long. I know I did. It’s such a back-saver!
Whether you want a practical work space or a place to display garden art—or both, there are lots of options for all budgets.
Tips For Choosing a Potting Bench
- Height | Be sure the height is right for you to stand and work (if that’s what you intend). You don’t want to be bending over a low table. Alternately, if you want to sit while working, get a lower table with chair and leg room.
- Durability | Select a potting bench that can withstand your weather or provide a sheltered location on a covered patio.
- Slope | Slant your potting bench to make rain run off. I did this by putting wood blocks under the back legs.
- Storage | Is storage important? Many potting benches come with upper and lower shelves for extra storage. Do you want them open or closed (with doors)?
- Sink and Water | Is a sink needed? If your potting table doesn’t have one, you can always get the top cut to accommodate a used one from the second-hand store. It’s also useful to have a garden hose nearby.
Gallery of Potting Benches
Most of these photos were taken on local home garden tours. Garden tours are an excellent source for plant ideas and garden inspiration.
1Potting Table with Sink
This table is made from 4x4s, 2x4s, fence boards, and some barn board to match the shed. An old stainless-steel sink has been embedded in the top.
2Table Used as Potting Bench
This sturdy old table has taken on garden duty.
While providing a solid work space, sometimes it’s really about the artful arrangement of stuff, including the watering can collection and orchids.
Love it.
Another old table, resting against a shed. It’s both garden art and functional as needed.
3Harry Potter Potting Bench
I saw this Hairy Potter garden bench on a home garden tour filled with fabulous garden junk and folk art.
Love the pickled potions and cacti!
4Covered Potting Area
This bench is built against the fence and features an overhang to protect the potted plants from harsh rains.
Shop Potting Benches
5Metal Shelf Potting Area
A metal table has been converted to hold plants outdoors.
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6Greenhouse With Built-in Potting Benches
This decorative shed has built-in potting benches along two side providing lots of work room.
7Work Bench
This bench is built against the side of the house under an overhang.
I love this setup: you can have all your tools handy without worrying about rain.
8Potting Table with Tool Hooks
Here’s another way to protect garden tools from the weather: place the hanging hooks under the lip of the potting bench.
The decorative tiles make this one really stands out.
Related: 50 Home Garden Shed Ideas
9Solid Potting Table
This one is built to last. I’m not sure if the drawers are functioning or just decorative.
10Tall Potting Table
If you are custom building your table, it’s a good opportunity to make the height just right.
This becomes really important if you are tall so you won’t have to bend over while working.
11Art Idea
Potting tables should be functional but what about all the time they are not in use? Dress them up with outdoor art.
The painted flowers here remind me of my garden art coneflowers.
More Garden Art Ideas
50 Creative & Recycled Garden Art Projects
Charming ways to dress up your garden using common household items.
12Metal Top Table
A stainless-steel top was added to this old table—I love that combination of rustic and modern. This gardener definitely has the artist’s touch.
My kingdom for that red watering can!
13Easy Build Potting Bench
If your potting table is going to be exposed to rain or snow, it’s a good idea to build a top like this one that allows water drainage.
The peg board on the back provides places to hang small garden tools.
Related: Is it okay to reuse potting mix?
14Potting Table With Plants
This final one is the perfect combination of form and function. The upper shelf houses an assortment of native plants and rocks.
The lower table is used for dividing plants and repotting.
15Garden Shed with Potting Bench and Sink
Great use of the side of a shed with built-in potting table, dry sink, and shelves for garden supplies.
If you want to see more sheds, I have 50 Favorite Home Garden Sheds here.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛