These 4 basic steps will level up your store-bought planters this summer

Take your planters up a level this year.

Mother's Day is our green light. After Sunday we're cleared to plant! The stores are ready, garden shops are open and planters are the hot grab-and-go item. Jessica Berrett feels the excitement too, but also said we can level up. She shared four ways to upgrade your big box planter.

Start With a Healthy Base

Before making any upgrades, Berrett said it’s important to choose a good base. “We wanna look for healthy plants,” she explained. Early in the season, that means avoiding anything that looks stretched or struggling. Shape matters, too. “Our plants shouldn’t be too leggy and shouldn’t have too much dead material,” she explained. “Look for something that’s kind of evenly shaped,” She said that full blooms are a good choice here. “It’s instant gratification,” she explained. "That's what they're there for."

Edit First

Berrett said to actually take things out before adding anything. “It’s totally okay to just remove a few things,” she emphasized. This step can feel intimidating, but if a color doesn’t work or the arrangement feels off, editing is part of the process. “Just go gently,” Berrett said. “Use your trowel and just kind of work your way around and pull a little bit out.”

Add Plants to Improve the Design

After editing, Berrett recommended upgrading the centerpiece plant. Many pre‑planted containers fall flat here, but the fix is simple. Replace the center with something bigger. A stronger focal plant adds height, structure and a feeling that the arrangement has actually grown in naturally over time. Once the focal point is set, look for spots to add in more fullness. Tuck in additional plants anywhere you can find a spot. Even small additions can help the container feel more lush and established. “It just looks a little more full‑grown and ready to go,” Berrett noted. Many pre‑potted planters, especially hanging baskets, tend to stay low and uniform. “There’s not a lot of up and down or texture,” she explained. “The eye wants to move.” Berrett said that’s where you can make a major upgrade. The solution is to add height yourself with taller plants.

Upgrade the Container

Finally, Berrett said the biggest impact often comes from the simplest change: the container itself. “Don’t feel bad about just setting it into your nicer container,” she said. Swapping out a basic plastic pot for something more polished instantly elevates the entire planter. She suggested investing in reusable pieces. “I like to have nice containers on my porch that I reuse year after year,” Berrett noted. You can even level up further by filling in the space around the base. “Give it a little more color … make it feel a little bit more like you,” she explained.

Find more plant inspiration from Jessica Berrett on Instagram, @plant.geek.