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A garden bicycle planter is a decorative stand shaped like a bike or tricycle, with small pots or baskets mounted where the seat, handlebar and cargo basket would be. It is a display piece, not a heavy-duty planter. Our research found three metal tricycle-style stands: a 28 x 10 x 28.5 in unit with three removable buckets, a 31.5 x 10 x 20.5 in unit with three baskets and a stated 22 lb load, and a smaller 16.93 x 7.48 x 13.19 in unit with three pails. Each pot is only about 6.3 in across and 5 in deep, so each one holds well under one gallon of soil.

Quick compare: the products in this guide

Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.

ProductListed detailsLink
BAYN Metal Bicycle Planters, 3 Tier Tricycle Flower Pots Stand28 x 10 x 28.5 in; three 6.3 in bucketsSee details on Amazon Affiliate link
Bicycle Planter, Flower Pot Stand with 3 Decorative Wheels, 3 Collection…31.5 x 10 x 20.5 in; states 22 lb loadSee details on Amazon Affiliate link
LEWIS&WAYNE Metal Tricycle Planter, 3 Tier Floral Flower Plant Stand Holder16.93 x 7.48 x 13.19 in; 4.2 lbSee details on Amazon Affiliate link

Why choose a garden bicycle planter

A bicycle planter turns a small plant display into a focal point. A row of three pots on a stand needs about 3 sq ft of floor and uses a recognizable shape to draw the eye. In a small garden, balcony or front step, that character does more than a plain pot would.

It is also a way to display several small plants at different heights. The pots sit at different levels on the frame, so each plant gets its own light, and a trailing plant can hang over the edge without covering its neighbor.

The trade-off is size and strength. A bike frame is thin metal, and the pots are small. You cannot grow a large shrub in a 6 in pail. Think of it as a decorated stand for seasonal color: pansies in spring, petunias in summer and mums in autumn.

Three garden bicycle planters from the research

The 28 in tricycle planter with three buckets

The BAYN stand lists as 28 x 10 x 28.5 in, an iron frame with a black coated finish, and 16 oz of weight. The listing says it has three removable buckets in pink, green and blue, each 6.3 in across and 5 in deep, with drainage holes. It has three non-rolling wheels, so it stands still, and assembly uses wing nuts and no tools.

The listing text is inconsistent about the overall size. The spec table says 28 x 10 x 28.5 in, while one bullet says 28.5 in long, 28 in wide and 10 in high. Do not rely on the orientation. Plan for about 28 in in length and 10 in in depth, and check the product page before you commit to a tight spot.

The 31.5 in tricycle planter with baskets

The OFFICEJOY stand lists as 31.5 x 10 x 20.5 in and weighs 4.01 kg, which is about 8.8 lb. The spec table states a 22 lb load capacity. It has three round baskets with guardrails, a wrought iron frame with a powder-coated finish, and three decorative wheels that do not roll. The listing describes the basket design as hollowed out for drainage and ventilation, which means you would normally need a liner or pots to hold soil.

At 31.5 in it is the longest of the three, and at 20.5 in tall it is the lowest of the larger two. Another bullet says it weighs 5 lb, which does not match the 4.01 kg spec, so treat the weight as roughly 5 lb to 9 lb.

The 17 in tricycle planter

The LEWIS&WAYNE planter lists as 16.93 x 7.48 x 13.19 in and 4.2 lb. It has three pails in pink, blue and green, each described as 6.3 in across and 5 in deep, and it is made of metal with a powder-coated tube. The wheels are non-rolling and are decorated with flower spokes. The listing says the finish is rust and weather resistant.

It is the smallest and is the right size for a step, a shelf edge or a small balcony. The pots are the same as on the larger BAYN stand, so you get the same planting volume in a more compact frame.

How to choose

Pot size and soil volume

All three stands in our research use pots about 6.3 in across and 5 in deep (the OFFICEJOY listing does not give a pot size). A pail that size holds about 156 cubic inches, which is roughly 0.67 US gallon (231 cubic inches per gallon). Three pails hold about 2 gallons, or 0.27 cubic feet of soil. That is enough for a few annuals or herbs, but it dries out quickly in summer.

Load

Add soil and water. Add the plants and the pots. Against the 22 lb stated on the OFFICEJOY listing, the three pots leave a margin of about 11 lb. The other two listings do not state a load, so keep them light and do not use them as seats or shelves.

Frame and finish

Iron and steel frames need a coating. Powder coat resists weather but chips, and chips can rust. Look for the finish on the listing, and touch up chips with outdoor metal paint. In our estimate, a stand kept under a porch roof will last longer than one in open rain.

Fixed wheels

All three have non-rolling wheels. That is a good thing: the stand will not roll away on a slope. It also means you carry it, so choose by weight if you plan to move it often.

Worked example: a bicycle planter by a 6 ft fence

A garden has a 72 in fence section and a 30 in bench at one end. You want to place a 28 x 10 in stand at the other end.

  • Wall left. 72 – 30 = 42 in free. A 28 in stand leaves 14 in, enough to step past.
  • Floor used. 28 x 10 = 280 sq in, which is about 1.9 sq ft.
  • Soil. Three pails at about 156 cubic inches each hold 468 cubic inches, which is 468 / 1,728 = 0.27 cubic feet.
  • Weight. 0.27 cubic feet x 40 lb is about 11 lb of wet soil, plus plants and pails, so roughly 15 lb to 20 lb including the 1 lb stand.
  • Path width. A garden path 36 in wide with a 10 in deep stand beside it leaves 26 in clear if the stand is on the path. Put it on the grass or the planting side instead. The 36 in is the minimum clear width of an accessible route given by the US Access Board, which we use only as a yardstick for a path you walk every day.

The result is a decorative stand that uses under 2 sq ft and weighs about as much as a full watering can.

What to plant

Small pots dry out quickly, so choose plants that tolerate it. Succulents, sedum, thyme, oregano and chives do well. For color, use petunias, million bells, pansies or trailing lobelia. Each 6.3 in pail fits one medium plant or three small plants. Do not plant mint or ivy in these pails unless you want them to spread, since roots will push out of the drainage holes.

Water daily in hot weather, and use a small pot saucer or a tray if the stand sits on a deck. Check that the pails sit level on the frame, because a leaning pail drains to one side.

Care and storage

Wipe the frame with a damp cloth. In winter, empty the pails, brush off the frame and bring the stand under cover. Cold and ice damage plastic pails and can open weld seams. If you keep the stand outside, tip it so water cannot collect in the baskets.

Check wing nuts and bolts at the start of each season. Wing nuts loosen as frames expand and contract in the sun. A loose joint wobbles and can tip a full pail.

Who should buy a garden bicycle planter

  • Anyone with a small porch, step or balcony who wants a decorative plant display.
  • Gift buyers looking for a garden-themed present. The listings mention gift use.
  • People who want a seasonal display that is easy to refill and move.

Who should skip it

  • People who want large plants. A 6.3 in pail is too small for a tomato or shrub.
  • Windy sites. A light frame with small pots can tip. Place it in a sheltered spot or against a wall.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Treating it as a planter for large plants. It is a stand for small pots.
  • Skipping drainage checks. Each pail needs holes, and a basket needs a liner.
  • Trusting conflicting numbers. Two of these listings give inconsistent sizes or weights. Check the product page.
  • Leaving it out all winter. Cold and ice wear the coating and the plastic.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

Frequently asked questions

What is a garden bicycle planter?

It is a decorative metal stand shaped like a bike or a tricycle that holds small pots or baskets. It is meant for display, not for growing large plants.

How much can a bicycle planter hold?

One listing states 22 lb for the whole stand. The others do not state a load. Three 6.3 in pails hold only about 11 lb of wet soil, so you should be within the limit with small plants.

Do bicycle planters roll?

The three listings we read describe non-rolling decorative wheels. The stand stands still on its wheels, so it will not roll on a slope.

Can a bicycle planter stay outside in winter?

The listings describe outdoor use and rust-resistant coatings, but small pots freeze and crack. Empty the pots and move the stand under cover if you can.

What plants suit a bicycle planter?

Plants with shallow roots, such as petunias, pansies, succulents and herbs, suit pots about 5 in deep.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

BAYN Metal Bicycle Planters, 3 Tier Tricycle Flower Pots Stand

28 x 10 x 28.5 in; three 6.3 in buckets

See details on Amazon Affiliate link

Bicycle Planter, Flower Pot Stand with 3 Decorative Wheels, 3 Collection Baskets, Metal Steel Frame (brand OFFICEJOY)

31.5 x 10 x 20.5 in; states 22 lb load

See details on Amazon Affiliate link

LEWIS&WAYNE Metal Tricycle Planter, 3 Tier Floral Flower Plant Stand Holder

16.93 x 7.48 x 13.19 in; 4.2 lb

See details on Amazon Affiliate link

Sources checked

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

How we research our guides