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We’ve all invested more than ever in our homes and its decor over the past year, and in these strange times there is no better moment to embrace an indoor jungle.
After three lockdowns spent inside, the benefits of bringing the outside in have become even more apparent. Plants don’t just enhance the look of our surroundings but also carry a host of psychological benefits.
Among the proven advantages of hosting greenery in your home is their mood-boosting properties, a reduction in stress levels, improvements to our attention span and a greater productivity. They can also improve the air quality in our homes, removing up to 87 per cent of air toxins in 24 hours.
So for all these benefits plants provide us, we think they’re at least deserving of a charming home. And plant pots aren’t merely practical, but also a great, easy and affordable way of adding unique character to your living space – with some even having the potential to become the focal point of rooms.
From hanging pots and wall mounts to artisan designs and handmade ceramics, pots are the perfect way to liven up window sills, sideboards and bookshelves.
In our search for some stand-out pots, we looked for quality, finish, durability and value for money – as well as how they looked once planted.
Before you buy, ensure you pick a pot that is around 2cm wider than the plant which should allow it plenty of space to breathe and grow – some of our picks offer a range of sizing options.
Most of the pots on our list don’t have drainage holes, so we recommend watering and draining your plant before returning it to the pot so water doesn’t build up at the bottom. We also suggest keeping your plants in their nursery pots inside these decorative planters as this makes the watering and draining process a lot easier.
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.
Dunelm ceramic white planter
The ever reliable and affordable Dunelm has got it spot on with this ceramic white planter. An impressively large size for its £20 price tag, the pot’s sleek and modern shape adds some Scandi-inspired accents to your decor. It works just as nicely placed on the floor for a taller plant as it does set down on a sideboard with some devils ivy planted within. At 30cm tall and 22cm wide, its large brim lends it to doubling up as a vase for cut flowers, too. Well made, sturdy and stylish with a great price to match – you can’t go wrong.
Paired with a snake plant , this pot from Bloombox became a strong centrepiece in our living room. The contrasting two tones award it nice detailing while its un-glazed and bare clay base gives it a rustic-feel. The upper half of the pot has been dipped in white paint and we like the contrasting earthy hues and grounded shade on the bottom. Sturdy and extra large, it fits plants up to 18cm in diameter and is helpfully available in smaller sizes too. If you’re after something unlikely to topple over or break if dropped, this durable clay pot is a great option.
London based designer and ceramics maker Louise Madzia creates unique prints, clothing, mugs, bowls, plates and plant pots with the handmade pieces all crafted in her studio using the slab-built method. Madzia’s fun and playful works feature faces, bodies, graphics and more – and all are a statement in any room. We love the abstract nature of this planter, screen-printed using the decal and transferable method. Proving that plant pots aren’t just functional but can be pieces of art as well, this one is guaranteed to spruce up your interiors.
The circle planter is 15cm x 15cm, best suiting plants with a diameter of under 13cm. Madzia also has a collection of similarly decorative mini pots priced at £22. Compared to clay pots, ceramic plant pots are porous meaning they are great for cacti, succulents and orchids, as they allow air and water movement through the sides of the pot.
This Oyoy pot is crafted from 100 per cent ceramic, with its graphic accents making it a bold and unique centrepiece. Minimalist in its handmade design, the stripes add an artisanship to the planter. The black and white stripes perfectly compliment greenery, but even without a plant it’s the perfect decorative eyecatcher. This one could even be repurposed as a jewellery holder or simply as an ornament.
Part of the Toppu range from Scandi-inspired design brand Oyoy, a smaller version is also available as well as an equally attention-grabbing matching food stand .
This Picasso-esque pot from Bloomingville looks lovely on a bookshelf or sideboard. Made from stoneware ceramic, its distorted face motif adds some unique artisanship to your greenery. Its 12cm diameter is perfect for smaller plants and we paired it with a Chinese monkey plant – giving its face a nice green bouffant. The abstract pot is top heavy with a nice glazed exterior and is bound to inject fun detail into any room.
For something a bit different to your standard pot, this geometrically designed plant wall unit from La Redoute is a unique way of making greenery a centrepiece in your living space. Plant everything from mini cacti, succulents or devil’s ivy in the eight removable and wall-mounted metal pots. Adding a jolt of green hues on your four walls is guaranteed to inject some much needed energy into any room. Fixtures aren’t supplied but it can be easily hung with nails.
Hanging pots are a great choice for freeing up space in your home or if your window sills and surface tops are full. This Matamba ceramic planter from Nkuku boasts a black etched design, adding nice detail to the white clay planter. The neutral tones compliment greenery and this one looks lovely with succulents. The pot helpfully comes with a strong and adjustable cotton tie so you can decide how low it dangles. If you’re renting and can’t put nails in the wall, dangling it from a curtain rail works just as well, or invest in some extra strong command hooks .
Nordic-inspired brand Arket is a trusty option for affordable and good looking homeware, with its plant pots coming in a range of colours and sizes. This terracotta flower pot with matching saucer is a steal at £19 and we love it in the blue striped pattern which perfectly complements the lush greenery of plants. Thanks to the high-rim plate, your plants drain well with the saucer collecting any excess water. The pot and saucer are both glazed to protect it against dampness. This one is 12cm, best fitting a plant 10cm wide but the terracotta pot in various colourways is also available in size 18cm for £22 and 22cm for £45.
Another great option for a hanging pot, this clay one from Patch Plants is made from matte fibreclay. With its rustic texture and neutral tones, it shows off your greenery nicely but is also available in black, if you prefer. Sturdy, durable and boasting a thick jute rope, your plants are hanging in safe hands. We planted Rapunzel devil’s ivy in ours which gave our kitchen the perfect amount of mood-boosting greenery.
With Seventies-inspired interiors at the top of everyone’s wishlist, this glazed ceramic pot from Hortology is perfect for adding some retro style to your living space. Its simple but pleasing cylindrical shapes pattern is given boho charm with the honeycomb and mustard hues. Each pot is handmade and therefore unique, which is a nice touch. As it’s without a drainage hole, we recommend watering and draining the plant outside the pot. The Thies comes in a range of sizes, including 11cm x 11cm, 13cm x 13cm, 17cm x 15cm and 19cm x 17cm.
For something that is as versatile as it is affordable, the Dunelm Scandi-inspired ceramic planter makes for a contemporary and statement addition to any living space. Its wide diameter lends it well to both large and medium size plants as well as cut flowers. If you’re after a hanging pot, you can’t go wrong with the rustic looking Patch Plants offering. Alternatively, opt for some art in the form of plant pots with Louise Madzia’s design.
Boost your mood and interiors-game with our guide to the best house plants
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