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8 best house plant pots to showcase your greenery in style

Flex your green thumbs with these fun and functional planters

Kate Ng
Wednesday 23 October 2019 14:13 BST
Pots with drainage holes are preferable
Pots with drainage holes are preferable

If you got caught up in house plant fever like the rest of us over the summer, autumn is a great time to flex your green thumbs.

It’s great fun picking out new pots for your house plants and refreshes your interiors in a way that doesn’t require spending a ton of money or changing a lot.

You can repot your plants in spring and summer, but it’s best to do it this time of year as your plants have likely done quite a lot of growing in the warmer months and will be needing new homes to spread their roots before the cold hits.

We searched for sturdy pots in various sizes that can withstand a bit of knocking about, which is particularly important for larger plants. Even the most careful people have accidents! Of course, sturdy doesn’t have to mean boring; our picks have bags of character and will add interesting focal points to any room in the house.

Make sure to choose pots that are about two inches larger than your plant’s current pot, so that it has plenty of space. Pots with drainage holes are preferable, but you can also add some larger stones at the bottom of pots that don’t have any to create a drainage space.

You can also repurpose them as holders for pencils or knick-knacks, or whatever you like. We’ve been on the hunt for the best new house plant pots to perk up your green spaces, here are our favourites.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Studio Arhoj large terracotta tri-pot: £42, Goodhood

Measurements: 18cm x 15cm

The minimalism of this pot works really well with large plants, as it elevates the appeal of your greenery while still being a conversation starter. Unusual in its appearance as well as its practicality, this pot has three short legs that act as drainage holes, allowing water to trickle down into the saucer it stands in. It’s got a good weight, making it the perfect base for plants that like taking up room such as parlour palms, big calatheas, or large cacti.

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Arket terracotta flower pot: £25, Arket

Measurements: 17cm x 18cm

This lovely terracotta pot has a mustard coloured glaze that will add some much-needed colour to the coming winter days, without being too obnoxious. It’s sturdy, lightly textured, and will happily house plants that like to stand tall such as snake plants or peace lilies. You can also get a smaller version that measures 12cm x 14cm. It features a drainage hole and a matching saucer that will collect excess water and prevent any spills.

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BeciCallow ceramic painted face pot: £17, Etsy

Measurements: 7.5cm x 7.5cm

Need some whimsy in your life? This little fellow is bound to put a smile on your face. Handmade in the UK, this pot is an all-rounder. It won’t take up loads of space, but that means it can’t really hold any large plants – but we think it looks great with creeping types such as devil’s ivy, donkey tail succulents, or string-of-pearls that will hang over the side, making it look like the pot has an unruly haircut. It’ll be a welcome home for that new cutting you’ve been nurturing.

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Burgon & Ball jade green elaborate pot: £9.99, Hortology

Measurements: 14cm x 12cm

Ceramic’s the name, sophistication is the game. This elegant jade-green glazed ceramic pot features geometric textures that are elaborate but not fussy, and will look great on your windowsill, desk, bedside table… anywhere, really! It doesn’t have a drainage hole, so remember to grab some stones to line the bottom before you start potting, or use free-draining soil to avoid waterlogged roots. We’re picturing all manner of ferns in this pot, including asparagus or maidenhair ferns, to match its elegance.

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Oliver Bonas cute tortoise planter: £9.50, Oliver Bonas

Measurements: 10cm x 12cm

Could you really say no to this sweet little thing? It might not fit a very large plant in it, but it’s definitely got bags of character. You could even name it, we’d suggest Tate or Tori to keep that alliteration going. Any type of small to medium-sized succulents would look adorable in this, but it doesn’t have drainage holes so do remember to line the bottom of the planter with small stones or use cactus soil. When your plants outgrow it, it can be used for storing coins or keys. We love a multitasking product.

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Patch Plants glazed Copenhagen terracotta pot: From £30, Patch Plants

Measurements: Available in 12cm, 16cm and 18cm diameters

You’ve probably seen an ad for Patch Plants on your social media very recently, and you probably know they sell house plants. But you might not know about its range of very cool house plant pots. This glazed pot with scale details is called the Copenhagen and comes in two colours – deep green and bright yellow – and three sizes so you can choose the right one for your favourite plant baby. It also comes with a matching saucer to catch any excess water. To accentuate the emerald green pot, you might like to choose plants that have contrasting coloured leaves such as striped calatheas or variegated rubber plants.

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Hortology dip hanging indoor pot: £9.99, Hortology

Measurements: 12cm x 12cm

Hanging pots free up valuable surface space in a small home, so get creative and find a bright spot for this lovely light-coloured minimalist buy. Featuring a leather hanging cord, its colours are soothing, we’d recommend hanging it somewhere that means you can look at it for hours. Make sure not to plant anything too heavy in it – orchids are great for this pot because they don’t actually need soil. Orchid repotting mixes are a blend of bark, gravel, and dried plant fibres, or you could also use sphagnum moss. Here’s a great tip: certain Command hooks can hold up to 5lbs of weight, and when removed carefully, leave no trace. Perfect for plant-crazed renters.

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Monti by Monti varro hexagon free stand box: From £20, Monti by Monti

Measurements: Available in a range of sizes from 4” x 2” x 3.5”

Undeniably luxurious-looking, these aren’t really plant pots but boy, do they look good. These handmade glass planters can be used as vases, air plant holders, or terrariums. If you’re going the terrarium route, we’d recommend consulting a terrarium specialist first to find out what plants would thrive in these particular shapes. Air plants are super easy, low maintenance plants that only require watering once every two weeks or so, and would look fabulous displayed in this planter.

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The verdict: House plant pots

The three-legged terracotta pot by Studio Arhoj is super stylish and a little bit whimsical, but still very homely. It’s an unusual take on the reliable terracotta pot, which makes it our favourite one here. We also love Burgon & Ball’s jade green pot with its elaborate texture and zen colours, it’s an affordable and beautiful alternative to spruce up your space.

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