Healthy Street Planters
For new permanent Healthy Street locations, neighbors can opt to replace the standard concrete sign base with planters. Planters are installed by SDOT and maintained by neighbors!
Updated December 1, 2023
What's Happening Now?
Adopt a Planter – sign-ups open until January 18, 2024!
If you are interested in adopting one or more planters along your neighborhood’s Healthy Street, please fill out our planter adoption form. Planter adoption is now open for the following permanent Healthy Street locations:
If you are interested in adopting a planter, but don’t see your Healthy Street on this list, the planter adoption form will open later for additional Healthy Streets. Sign up for email updates to be notified when planter forms are open.
Beacon Hill Healthy Street Plant Pick-Up: September 23, 2023
SDOT crews installed planters at requested locations on the Ballard Healthy Street and the North Beacon Hill Healthy Street! This fall, we hosted plant pick-up events for the Beacon Hill, Ballard, and Greenwood Healthy Streets, where we gave each neighbor who adopted a planter a set of starter plants. SDOT’s Urban Forestry team designed the plant options, and neighbors pre-selected their preferred plant design. Thanks to everyone who adopted planters on their Healthy Street and came to the plant-pick up events!
Neighbors attend the plant pick-up event for Beacon Hill Healthy Street. Starter plants for Healthy Street planters, and plants loaded into a neighbor’s bike (Photo credit SDOT).
Ballard and Greenwood Healthy Streets Plant Pick-Up: October 14, 2023
SDOT team and starter plants at the Ballard and Greenwood plant pick-up event. Healthy Streets planters with new starter plants on the Ballard Healthy Street and starter plants arranged in the three design options. (Photo credit SDOT).
About Healthy Street Planters
For Healthy Streets that are becoming permanent, SDOT can install planters at intersections along the Healthy Street (see diagram below). SDOT will open the planter sign-up form for specific Healthy Street locations based on the installation schedule for permanent treatments.
If you’re interested in adopting planters along your Healthy Street, please subscribe to Healthy Streets email updates, since we will notify you via email about open planter sign-up forms.
This webpage will also list the Healthy Street locations that have planter sign-ups currently open. If you don’t see your Healthy Street location on the planter sign-up form, your location is scheduled for a later installation, and we will open the planter sign-up form closer to installation. Depending on availability, we can also provide starter plants to help those wanting to adopt a planter. The planter sign-up form will have various plant options for you to decide.
Neighborhood Responsibilities
Coordinate: If you do not live directly at the corner where a Healthy Street Planter can be placed, you can work with your neighbors to create a partnership for a Healthy Street planter.
Maintain: Healthy Street planters will need to be watered and maintained by neighbors. You can find helpful tips and information for maintaining your planter. on our fact sheet, or see our FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I water the plants in my planter?
When you first plant new plants, top water (with a hose or watering can) the plants to moisten the soil and provide initial moisture for the plants. In addition to top watering, fill the water reservoir via the opening at the top of the planter, until water just begins to weep out of the drain hole at the planter base. This indicates that the reservoir is full. Do not overfill, as overfilling can lead to overflow and water damage.
Over the next few days, top water the new plants 2-3 more times. Once the plants are established, you no longer need to top water, the water reservoir will supply all necessary moisture for the plants. Keep topping up the water reservoir, especially when the weather is hot and dry (June – September).
How much water does the planter’s water reservoir store?
The water reservoir’s full capacity is 50 gallons of water.
Can I add fertilizer to the planter?
You can add liquid or water-soluble nutrients to the water reservoir to encourage plant growth.
Will the planter impact visibility on my street?
The planter and signage have been carefully vetted by SDOT’s Traffic Operations team to ensure visibility for people driving, walking, biking, and rolling. However, neighbors who have adopted a planter must prune their plants as needed to maintain visibility. For open plants, please keep them below the sign, and for dense plants, please keep them about half the height of the post (between the planter and the sign).
How do I care for my planter in the winter?
Since the walls of the planter are hollow, you don’t need to drain the planter reservoir during the winter, because any potential ice will expand into the hollow walls. Winter is Seattle’s rainy season, so you may not need to fill up the reservoir as often in the winter.
Can I paint my planter?
We do not recommend painting your planter. The manufacturer does not guarantee that paint will adhere to the planters, and paint could compromise the planter’s UV protection.
How do I best care for and maintain the planter?
Please regularly inspect the planter for any signs of leaks, cracks, or wear and tear. Clean the planter and reservoir components periodically to prevent algae growth or clogs. Check that the drainage holes are clear and not blocked by soil or debris.
If you have additional questions about the Healthy Streets planters, please email HealthyStreets@seattle.gov, or call (206) 900-8760.