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As an avid gardener, who wouldn’t want a specific area to carry out gardening tasks? Whether you’re using your potting bench to plant seedlings, make your own artificial hanging basket or to store things like moss killer, it is a useful addition to any garden. You may not have realised, but a potting bench is a real garden essential for anyone who has green thumbs. But the bottom line is, having one will make your gardening experience a whole lot easier. A good potting bench should be made of high-quality wood that can withstand exposure to moisture and sunlight, so that it can stand the test of time even in our temperamental British weather. A potting bench can come in a variety of different materials, sizes and colours which we understand may be daunting when choosing your first one. In this guide we review the 10 best potting benches and take all of these things into consideration – so you can make an informed decision about which potting bench is for you.

Choosing the right potting bench for you can be a difficult decision, especially when there are so many things you have to consider when you’re about to make your purchase. Overall, a potting bench can be a perfect addition to your garden for many reasons: a workspace, storage, organisation and they can be used as a decorative stand for your plants, too! Potting benches come in a variety of materials, heights and colours that may influence your decision before you buy, so at the end of this guide, we’ve made a list comprising a few considerations to make before you do so. If you’re still unsure about anything before you buy your new potting bench, we’ve included a detailed FAQ section at the end of this guide. So, if you’re interested in finding out more – keep on reading!

1

VidaXL Solid Acacia Wood and Zinc Potting Bench

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The vidaXL Solid Acacia Wood and Zinc Potting Bench has 3 shelves for optimised storage. This means that you can store all of your garden essentials with ease. This potting bench is made from solid acacia wood which is highly scratch resistant compared to other hardwoods, making it the perfect material for a potting bench where garden tools will often be stored. The height of this potting bench is perfect for the average person, meaning that you will be comfortable standing for long periods. The colour is a light brown wood, a neutral colour which will work in most gardens and with most rattan cube furniture.

Key Features:

3 shelves

Scratch resistant

Zinc top

Specification:

Dimensions

76 x 37 x 92 cm

Material

Solid acacia wood with a light oil finish + zinc liner

Brand

VidaXL

Colour

Brown

Pros

Sturdy

Lots of storage

Cons

Assembly required

2

Wooden potting bench with metal worktop

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This Wooden potting bench with metal worktop has a stable and robust construction so you can use it without any worries about it collapsing. A stable potting bench is also an essential as it means you can keep it for years. At a slightly larger height, this potting bench is perfect for taller gardeners. This particular potting bench has 3 shelves for maximised potential storage and a metal worktop so it isn’t easily damaged. The metal worktop also allows for easy cleaning if any soil spills from your seedling pots. This potting bench is made from pine wood, a sturdy timber that takes well to paint or varnish – so if you fancy a bit of a DIY project and change the colour of your potting bench, this is the one for you!

Key Features:

3 shelves

Metal worktop

Robust construction

Specification:

Dimensions

92 x 78 x 38 cm

Material

Pine wood/metal

Brand

Spetebo

Colour

Brown

Pros

Easily cleaned

Lots of storage

Cons

Smaller than some other potting benches available.

3

Potting Bench - Galvanised

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Unlike the first 2 potting benches in this guide, the Potting Bench – Galvanised is made from galvanised metal and not wood.  This material will be good for the gardener who doesn’t want to eventually have to treat the wood of their potting bench. The galvanised metal means that it wont rust easily so that you can keep it outside in any weather and still have peace of mind. This potting bench only has 2 shelves, however this is perfect for the gardener who doesn’t have a lot to store. The shelves however, are roomy. The colour of this potting bench is silver, which is a non-offensive colour for most garden colour schemes, and with its galvanised finish rusting won’t be a problem so it will keep its shiny silver appearance.

Key Features:

Roomy shelves

Galvanised metal

Specification:

Material

Galvanised metal

Brand

Parasene

Colour

Silver

Pros

Anti-rust

Sturdy

Cons

Assembly required

4

Forest Potting Bench

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The Forest Potting Bench is perfect for putting in a greenhouse or for use as a stand-alone product. This potting bench has 2 roomy shelves for additional storage of pots and tools. This outdoor gardening bench has been manufactured from smooth-planed, pressure treated timber for a superior build. The timber is also FSC certified from sustainable sources. The pressure treated timber allows for the potting bench to have a 15 year guarantee, the smooth-planed texture also means there will be no more splinters!  This potting bench will arrive to you flat-packed, but comes with simple instructions for a relatively easy and stress-free build.

Key Features:

Smooth planed

Pressure treated timber

2 roomy shelves

15 year guarantee

Specification:

Dimensions

92 x 52 x 108cm

Material

FSC certified timber

Brand

Forest Garden

Colour

Brown

Pros

No splinters!

Fits in a smaller garden easily

Cons

Assembly required

5

VidaXL Solid Acacia Wood Garden Work Bench with Zinc Top

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This garden planting table is made of solid acacia wood with a zinc worktop, which is durable and stable. It comes in a natural finish which means it is ready to be painted or stained the colour of your preference. The VidaXL Solid Acacia Wood Garden Work Bench with Zinc Top comes with two spacious shelves which gives you plenty of space to store potting soil, pots, hand tools, watering cans and more. With this user-friendly table, you can easily garden while standing or sitting, and it can be used for wide range of decorative purposes.

Key Features:

Sturdy and stable

2 spacious shelves

Easy-clean zinc worktop

Specification:

Dimensions

100 x 50 x 60cm

Material

Solid acacia wood with oil finish + zinc top

Brand

VidaX

Colour

Brown

Pros

Lots of room for storage

Good working height

Cons

Style may not be to everyone's taste

6

Festnight Potting Bench

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The Festnight Potting Bench is not only ideal for use as a planting table, but can also serve a decorative purpose as a plant stand once you are done potting. This spotting bench is made of solid acacia wood that has been given a light oil finish to bring out its colour and make it weather resistant, too. The planting table has a rustic design which will add a touch of charm to your outdoor or indoor living space. The potting bench has lots of space for keeping your gardening tools within reach while potting or for displaying potted plants. The zinc-lined tabletop forms an easy-to-clean and water-resistant surface for potting.

Key Features:

3 shelves

Solid acacia wood

Zinc worktop

Specification:

Dimensions

88 x 38 x 16 cm

Material

Solid acacia wood

Brand

Festnight

Colour

Brown

Pros

Easily cleaned

Ample storage

Cons

Assembly required

7

WENXIA Flower pot bench Solid Acacia Wood and Zinc Potting Bench

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The WENXIA Flower pot bench Solid Acacia Wood and Zinc Potting Bench is able to be wall mounted, which is beneficial for stability. The WENXIA Flower pot bench Solid Acacia Wood and Zinc Potting Bench not only serves a practical purpose for potting flowers and seedlings, but also acts as a decorative piece after the plants have been potted. The zinc coated surface offers an easy to clean and waterproof surface, but also emphasises the potting bench’s rustic feel.  This potting bench is also made from solid acacia wood, meaning that it will offer a sturdy and durable garden workspace. It also has 3 spacious shelves for ample storage. A great place to keep your flower pots, seedlings, moss killer, and tools!

Key Features:

3 roomy shelves

Water-proof worktop

Easily-cleaned

Specification:

Dimensions

76 x 37 x 92 cm

Material

Solid acacia wood

Brand

WENXIA

Colour

Brown

Pros

Rustic appearance adds a touch of natural charm to your garden

Can be used as a decorative piece as well as a garden workspace

Cons

Style may not be to everyone's taste

8

Parasene Potting Bench

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This potting bench is made from a sturdy metal, meaning that it is made to last! This potting bench has been given a galvanised finish, which means it is also weather-proof. With 2 spacious shelves, there is plenty of room to store all of your garden essentials. The Parasene Potting Bench is also the perfect height for the average standing person, meaning that you will be comfortable if you’re needing to stay standing a little longer than usual.

Key Features:

2 spacious shelves for storage

Galvanised metal

Weather-proof

Specification:

Material

Galvanised metal

Brand

Parasene

Colour

Silver

Pros

Small and compact, yet tall enough for standing

Easy to keep clean

Cons

Style may not be to everyone's taste

9

RM design wooden planting table

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This planter bench made of grey solid wood in a sturdy design is perfect for any garden. This potting bench allows you to work with your plants at optimal height. Thanks to the device hooks and the 2 shelves, there is ample storage for all your gardening tools and accessories. The RM design wooden planting table is made from solid wood, and the large galvanised work surface and zinc foot caps make this bench a durable piece of garden furniture. Thanks to its design, the potting bench also makes a brilliant decorative table on the terrace, in the greenhouse or in the garden.

Key Features:

Specification:

Dimensions

76 x 38 x 91cm

Material

Wood

Brand

RM Design

Colour

Grey

10

Palram Greenhouse Accessory Steel Work Bench

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This Palram Greenhouse Accessory Steel Work Bench is the perfect potting bench and area for organising the space in your greenhouse or garden. This potting bench provides a spacious working area with a large shelf below. The two shelves provide lots of storage, and the worktop above can allow for heavy weight – up to 165lbs. The bottom shelf’s height can be adjusted to meet your needs. This bench is made from durable galvanised rust resistant steel, it is portable & easy to assemble, and it can be moved anywhere at your convenience.

Key Features:

2 spacious shelves

Galvanised metal finish

Adjustable shelf height

Specification:

Dimensions

114 x 50cm

Material

Steel

Brand

Palram

Colour

Silver

Pros

Provides lots of storage

Minimal design goes with every garden decor

Cons

Over time the galvanised finish slowly fades, but it takes a long time and doesn't weaken the structure at all.

Summary

Material

This arguably may be the most important thing to consider when purchasing a potting bench. Most potting benches are made from a solid wood – either pre-treated or untreated depending on your preference. A solid wood, such as acacia, is a brilliant material for a potting bench as it is sturdy and durable. Once the wood has been treated it is also weather-proof, meaning you can have peace of mind keeping it outside unsheltered. Solid acacia is also scratch-resistant which is perfect considering lots of garden tools and accessories will be used on and around it! On the wooden potting benches, most have a metal worktop. This means that if any spillage of soil occurs when you’re planting it is easily cleaned. A metal surface also provides more durability to the worktop. Another common material that potting benches are made from is a galvanised metal. This is beneficial for durability and weather-proofing as the galvanised finish prevents rust from appearing. A metal potting bench is also sturdy and hard-wearing – perfect for a greenhouse 0r garden.

Height and dimensions

The height of a potting bench is also an important thing to consider before you make your purchase. This feature is essential for a comfortable working experience, especially if you plan on standing at your potting bench for long-periods of time. Most potting benches come fit for the average standing person, however there are some available that can be customised to suit your working height needs. The dimensions of your potting bench are also something to consider, especially if you have a particular place you’d like to store it. For example, you may have a certain corner in your garage that you’d life it to sit, or perhaps you’d like it to work well next to your hanging egg chair. Make sure you check the measurements of your potting bench before you buy.

Colour

The great thing about wooden potting benches (especially those that come untreated) is that you can paint them whatever colour you’d like. If you have a particular colour scheme in your garden or greenhouse, customising your potting bench might be the answer for you! However, if you don’t have a particular colour-scheme and aren’t too worried about the colour, most wooden potting benches come lightly oiled for a natural stain. Along with their metal worktops, the light wood adds a touch of rustic charm to any garden. The light wood colour will also compliment your rattan garden benches beautifully. The metal potting benches available come in a silver finish, which works almost unnoticed in most gardens and greenhouses. The minimal design may be something to consider if you don’t fancy a wooden potting bench, or the idea of painting one.

Number of shelves

The number of shelves that your potting bench has may be important to consider before you make your purchase if you wish to use your potting bench to store pots, seedlings and other things such as your electric weed burner or moss killer. Most potting benches in this guide have 2 shelves, and some have 3 –  if you have big plans for your bench storage-wise, then you’d may want to look into purchasing one with more shelving space. Although saying that, some of the 2-shelved potting benches have the option of customising the shelf height, meaning that you can store larger, taller items. Most of the 3-shelved potting benches have a top shelf that acts as its worktop. This may be beneficial to the gardener who wants to keep their working area completely separate from storage. You may also want to check out our guide on the best garden obelisk, petrol lawn mower, garden clocks & garden shredders.

FAQ

What is a potting bench used for?

A potting bench is a type of workbench used for small gardening tasks such as transplanting seedlings. A usual potting bench has a work surface at bench height comfortable for a standing person and storage for soil, pots, and tools.

What makes a good potting bench?

A good quality potting bench should be made of wood that can withstand exposure to moisture and sunlight. If you choose a metal potting bench, it should have a galvanised coating so it is weather-proof and rust resistant.

How do you make a potting bench?

Here we’ve included a video with super easy instructions explaining how to make your own potting bench!

Further Reading

We’ve found a great article for DOY potting benches, click here to read it.

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