Can I Plant Flowers Directly in a Wooden Box?

Drainage

• Container plants must have good drainage or the roots will rot, according to West Virginia Extension Service. If your wooden box does not have drainage holes, drill holes into the bottom or grow the plant in a container with drainage holes, set in the box.
  
  

Rot Resistance

• Untreated wood will eventually rot when exposed to water and moist soil. Naturally rot-resistant woods, such as rosewood and cedar, are good choices for planters. Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is specifically manufactured for outdoor use. Penta- and creosote-treated woods are toxic to plants and should not be used for planting flowers, according to Colorado State University. These woods are no longer sold in stores, but old materials containing these chemicals may still be found.
  
  

Considerations

• Large wooden containers, such as bushel barrels, are very heavy when filled with soil and water. Attaching casters to the bottoms of containers makes them easier to move if necessary.