Whether you have a green thumb or have a tendency to slowly murder your houseplants through quiet neglect, getting a new plant is always exciting. A great houseplant brings fresh oxygen into your home, along with an earthy and natural look that no other piece of home decor can match. Still, those who are still developing their green thumb either dread the repotting process or don’t realize its importance. Water and light might be the most obvious aspects of plant care, but getting your new plant situated in a new planter pot can help your plant thrive. Of course, the best planter pots will add to your home decor, too.
Choosing the right pot for your plant will ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out too fast and its roots remain healthy. Most gardeners will recommend that you invest in a system with drainage, especially if you’re a beginner. Whether you opt for a traditional terracotta pot or a more elevated aesthetic, discover the best planter pots for your needs below.
Different Types of Planter Pots
Most planter pots are inexpensive, with cheap plastic pots starting as low as $3-$5. More stylish planters designed to function as an element of your home decor tend to cost $30 or more. The material will also have an effect on the price. Traditional terracotta planters, the red-brown ceramic pots common in gardens, are generally pretty cheap, but more expensive materials can include metals (like bronze or copper), concrete, and molded plastic.
There are a few different types of planters to choose from:
Related Stories
- Hanging Planters: These pots are designed to be suspended from the wall or ceiling.
- Self-Watering Planters: These ingenious planters use a hidden reservoir to keep your plants well-watered without drowning them. So long as the reservoir below the soil is periodically refilled, the plant’s roots will soak up small amounts of water as needed.
- Ceramic Planters: Ceramic planters have been popular for thousands of years because they are cheap and easy to make. This category can include basic terracotta pots as well as ornate decorative planters made by artisans.
- Smart Planters: As indoor gardening becomes more popular, a number of companies have created planters with built-in lights or watering mechanisms to help people grow veggies and herbs right in their own kitchen.
- Indoor/Outdoor Planters: Some planters are designed to be used indoors only, while more durable planters made of ceramics, concrete or plastic can be used outdoors year-round.
- Drainage Pots: In general, it’s best to get planter pots with drainage holes at the bottom. This will help prevent overwatering and mold growth.
Finally, when selecting the best planters for your new plant, you’ll want to choose a product that’s the right size (with a little room to grow). Small houseplants and succulents can live in small planter pots 5-inches to 8-inches in size. Larger houseplants and small indoor trees will require larger pots, usually between 10-inches and 20-inches in size.
The Best Plant Pots for Sale Online
You can always pick up a good planter from your local garden store, and many online plant delivery companies will include planters with larger orders. When looking for the best planters for our own homes and apartments, we check popular online retailers like Wayfair, The Home Depot, Etsy and Amazon in addition to some of our favorite home decor and furniture brands (West Elm, Joybird, Apt2B are good places to start!)
There is a sea of plant pots to choose from online. To make your search a little easier, we’ve selected our favorite options. You’ll find some of these planters in the homes of SPY editors. With the right plant and potting soil, you’ll have everything you need to grow beautiful houseplants.
Peach & Pebble Modern Porcelain Planter Pots
BEST BASIC PLANTER
Below, you’ll find a lot of really unique decorative plant pots, but if all you really need is a straightforward planter pot that will do its job well, this is a great option. The Peach & Pebble planter pot, for sale at Wayfair, is super affordable, comes in a variety of sizes, and has four color options. Perfect for most houseplants and small indoor trees, this modern porcelain planter will blend perfectly into your home decor. For plants that require heavy watering, a drainage hole is included, but a rubber stopper can be used for plants that only need light watering.
Rivet Terrazzo Planter
BEST PLANTER WITH STAND
When shopping for the best planters, you’ll find lots of options with metal and wooden stands. We’re big fans of this home decor trend, as it gets your plants off the floor where they can be better appreciated. While there are lots of planters with stands for sale on sites like Amazon and Wayfair, we love the Rivet Terrazzo Planter, which features a wooden stand and a classic terrazzo pattern on the planter itself. Rivet is Amazon’s mid-century modern furniture brand, which includes a ton of chic planters. This particular planter comes in a variety of colors and sizes and is available via Amazon Prime.
Mkono Plastic Planters with Saucers
BEST PLASTIC PICK
These creamy white Mkono planters are made of plastic, but they don’t look like it. Available in different sizes. These pots come with saucers and have a seamless, minimal aesthetic that blends in with any household. This choice is perfect for a macrame plant hanger, as it’s both lightweight and durable. It has a drainage hole, but also comes with fitted plugs for whenever you need them. It is worth noting that this pack does not come with saucers, but the value is unbeatable for the price.
EHWINE Ceramic Pots for Plants
BUDGET PICK
Lots of home gardeners prefer glazed ceramic over plastic, and for a set of three at under $20, this clean and bright Nordic-style pick seems like a steal to us. These high-quality cylindrical pots can stand up to extreme temperatures, and come in black or white. Better yet, the company acknowledges that although ceramic is superior for planting and drainage, it’s not always the sturdiest, so they support refunds or will send you a replacement set.
Terracotta Pot Planter Set
BEST CLASSIC TERRACOTTA PICK
Some of the best plant pots are made from terracotta clay ceramics, and that has been true for thousands of years. This set of terracotta plant pots is a back to basics classic that you can’t go wrong with. It comes with a drainage hole and saucer and is versatile for both indoor and outdoor usage. The finish is matte and works well with everything from flowers to cacti. Clay-based saucers are often considered more effective and less messy than plastic. Users comment on how well the saucers fit the pots, along with the unique cylindrical shape.
Harmony Mini Planters
BEST MINI PLANTERS
Looking for small pots for succulents, cacti, cuttings and other micro plants. This trio of mini planters comes courtesy of the KansoDesigns Etsy store and will only cost you $18. Perfect for decorating windowsills and desks, these mini pots will help your baby plants thrive, while the drip trays will ensure you don’t stain any surfaces.
Butt Planters
Look, they may not be the most mature home decor product featured on this site, but we love them all the same. The Butt Planters, aka the Booty Pot, come from the ChiclyBuilt store on — where else? — Etsy. These cute planters come in a variety of sizes and colors, and they’re the perfect conversation starter. While they might seem like a novelty item, thousands of these plant pots have been sold and reviewers absolutely adore them.
Self Watering + Self Aerating Round Plant Pots
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
These self-watering planters has a deeper reservoir than most, along with self-watering and self aerating features that never let root systems get flooded. This prevents any clogging, mold, and root rot in your garden so that you don’t have to keep poking holes in the soil. Pots like these ensure clean air circulating not just in your plant, but in your home. Say goodbye to over-watering and water-stained floors with this useful creation that’s the perfect blend of form and function.
Dahey Jute Spliced Cotton Rope Plant Basket
BEST FOR LARGE PLANTS
Cloth planters are gaining traction and it’s easy to see why – the two-tone neutrals on this cloth plant pot with handles are stunning. They turn larger plants into statement home decor pieces, with a rustic and minimalist look. Some reviewers mention that even if you ever stop using these baskets for plants, they can be used in laundry rooms or to holds toys and bedding. It’s big enough to accommodate a pot that catches water, making logistics a breeze.
La Jolie Muse Speckled White Hanging Planter
BEST HANGING PLANTER
There’s something about a hanging plant that really adds life to a room. Using floating plants also lets you make the most of your space, while adding a natural and effortless decor to your home. These speckled white pots by La Jolie muse come in a set of two and are made with natural stone powder, emulating the look of concrete. They feature built-in drainage holes and plugs and are versatile for indoor and outdoor usage. Materials are breathable and lightweight – 30% lighter than ceramic to be precise.
4-Pack ZOUTOG Succulent Planter with Bamboo Tray
BEST FOR SUCCULENTS
Succulents are an attractive way to jazz up any space – especially if you’re notorious for not having a green thumb since they have low-moisture requirements. These succulent planters come in a set of four, and each one has its own bamboo tray. These little pots aren’t meant for huge plants, but allow you to create a color sequence or decorate your windowsill accordingly. One user included some shots of her aloe plant in one of them, making for a soothing and simple aesthetic.
Rivet Mid-Century Stoneware Planter with Wood Stand
MOST IN-DEMAND
Here’s another great option from Rivet. Like the terrazzo planters featured above these stoneware planters rest atop a wooden stand. We like the three-leg stand and colorful pot, which will look great inside any room of your home. Unfortunately, these stylish plant pots are temporarily out of stock due to high demand. Check Amazon to see if they’re back in stock yet.
Large Terracotta Planter
BEST LARGE TERRACOTTA POTS
If you’re looking for a classic terracotta planter pot that can accommodate medium- to large-sized plants, then you’ll want to check out this option from The Home Depot. Available online and in store, this red-brown plant pot is sturdy and long-lasting. It also comes in sizes ranging from 14 to 20-inches.
Umbra Trigg Geometric Hanging Planter Vase
BEST GEOMETRIC PICK
Plants often double as wall decor, so why not frame them in a chic way? Designed by popular home brand Umbra, these modern geometric diamonds blend brass with a white ceramic planter for a unique wall decor that adds a contemporary feel and depth to any room. This brand also has similarly shaped tabletop options. Buyers mention that hanging it up is a hassle-free process, however, there isn’t a drainage system in place, so some caution is needed when watering.
Botanium Smart Planter Kit
BEST SMART SYSTEM
This self-watering, hydroponic smart planter is a must for gardeners with an appreciation for high tech gadgets. It lets you grow herbs and veggies with ease, thanks to an automatic watering system and a water tank that stays full for weeks. This is a sleek and slim addition that you need in your home, providing everything from year-round from fresh basil and strawberries to tomatoes and chilis. It can be charged with a USB cord and comes with a pack of nutrients and user manuals. Botanium is based in Europe but ships all around the world.
Cole & Mason Self Watering Potted Herb Keeper
BEST FOR HERBS
If your garden is of the herbal variety, this self-watering potted herb keeper by Cole & Mason keeps herbs fresher for longer. The self-watering is accomplished by hydro felt pads, which remove the task of re-potting. Just insert a pad under the retaining arm and set your potted herbs inside. When combined with a unique water fill spout, this potted herb keeper lets the herbs draw in water as they need to, cutting the usual task of watering in half.
La Jolie Muse Ceramic Plant Pots
MOST STYLISH PICK
Most ceramic plant pots on the market are quite plain, but this two-toned glazed option comes in slate gray with a delicate white border and cracked glass detailing. It has that elegant Williams Sonoma look without the hefty price tag. The tasteful appearance works on any room, windowsill, and countertop. As Amazon reviewers put it, these neutral pots “allow your plants to shine” and are sturdy enough to stop an energetic pet or child from knocking over.
Apt2B Orb Planters
MOST UNIQUE
These orb planters are unlike any other planters we’ve seen, which is exactly why we love them. Made by up-and-coming furniture brand Apt2B, the Orb planters are perfect for succulents and other low-light plants. Over time, your plants will gently push out of the orb’s opening. These colorful metal planters aren’t cheap, but they’re a tasteful piece of modern home decor that will cause everyone who visits your home to ask, “Where did you get that planter?”