Bringing greenery indoors is the design trend that just won’t quit. And these days, there is no reason why a plant pot can’t be as pleasing as what’s inside it. Large plant pots paired with an oversized plant can make a decorative statement at your home’s entrance, can fill an empty corner, or even compensate for a lack of green space outdoors.
It’s no surprise that greenery inside gained popularity during the pandemic. More of us than ever are filling our homes with large plant pots and clusters of planters to make home feel more like, well, the outdoors. Studies have shown time and time again that indoor plants can boost wellbeing, purify the air and help us relax. So bring those Fiddle Leaf Figs, those Swiss Cheese Plants – aka monstera deliciosa – the Zanzibar Gems and Rubber Plants into your home stat.
In order to cultivate an indoor plant habit, you need to find the perfect pots. To choose the right pot, first consider both the proportions of the plant and its ideal growing conditions. Olive trees, for example, are a trendy indoor tree but they require plenty of direct sunlight. So an ideal planter in that scenario may be a lightweight pot that can be easily lifted onto a wheeled plant caddy and moved into the sun on a regular basis.
Next, consider the look and mood you’re trying to create. “There are no rules,” says artist Christina McLean of Trade the Mark, who hand-throws all of the pots and planters she sells, thus making each one unique. “It depends structurally on the look of the plant – play around with different combinations until you find a good match.”
A pair of oversized white plant pots with scalloped edges make a statement in this modern space. (Credit: Photography: Mindi Cooke | Styling; Rachel Honner)
How to choose the best-shaped pot for your home
Pots come in all shapes: square, egg-shaped, cylindrical, urn-shaped. When choosing a pot, consider the plant, the size of the space you intend to place it and the style of your home.
A modern home, for example, will lend itself better to square or cylindrical designs. You can also add drip trays to pots that are meant for the outdoors, to bring them indoors. Many pots also come with rubber plugs to stop water running out onto your carpet or floorboards, and less enormous pots can be taken outside for watering which, during light rain will also help remove dust from the leaves.
As well as plant pots, there are other ways to decorate and dress up your indoor plants, such as using plant stands, paper bags, metal pots and baskets.
How to choose the right-size pot for your home
When selecting an indoor pot, size definitely matters. Choose a pot to fit the plant you’re wanting to house, giving it plenty of room to grow (albeit slightly slower if indoors). And think about where you will want the plant and pot to sit in your home. Choose something that looks like it fits in its place – you don’t want it blocking windows or doors or getting in the way, but it shouldn’t feel too small for the space either.
A shorter pot can be elevated on a stand to create height. A pot with a wide base is perfect for placing upon a table or plinth, as it is less likely to tip over if you have kids or pets (or clumsy adults).
Grouping pots of different heights will add interest to an otherwise bare corner, as well as increase the humidity around the plants, creating ideal growing conditions for some of the most popular houseplants.
The best large indoor plant pots to shop
Botanic concrete planter
$451.50, Cafe Lighting and Living
Best for: Minimalist Mediterranean
Bring the Mediterranean into your home with a minimalist concrete planter that looks the part. This large pot looks like concrete, but is light enough to transport into the right spot in your home as needed. It’s beautiful standing alone for dramatic effect, or part of a cluster in some light-filled nook.
Size: 60 x 60cm
Colours: White
Material: Concrete composite
Key features:
- Concrete composite with a 33kg weight
- Hole and rubber plug at the base for drainage
- Works indoor or outdoor
Ferm Living Large Baupot in Beige
$180, Ssense
Best for: Cashmere chic
With a crisp silhouette and rich “cashmere”or beige hue, this medium-sized plant pot emulates bold sophistication. We love that it comes in durable galvanised steel, so you can take it outdoors as well. It comes with a detachable plant saucer for catching water drips, and there’s a green toned or black version for something a little more moody.
Size: 38 x 28cm
Colours: Cashmere, Green, Black
Material: Ribbed powder-coated galvanised steel
Key features:
- Drainage hole and logo etched at base
- Outdoor and indoor safe
Austin galvanised iron round tub
$239 (usually $269), Living Styles
Best for: Magnifique French charm
Orchids deserve a special place of their own, and they look tres chic in this low concrete grey galvanised pot. If your home has a touch of French style, or you’re keen to bring some beautiful Provincial charm into your house, this is the plant pot to prop on a table or bench, or in a well-light space inside.
Size: 41 x 26cm
Colour: Oxidised Silver / Gold
Material: Galvanised iron
Key features:
- Decorative handles for easy lifting
- Made in India
- Rustic charm
Pond concrete planter
$451.50, Cafe Lighting and Living
Best for: A dash of texture
A plant pot with a scalloped edge goes just as well with a minimalist, sleek look as it does something more beachy and fun. Made from lightweight concrete composite, this almost sculptural pot has a fresh and white semi-gloss finish. It’s slightly wider than it is high, so suits a plant that can tumble over, or that might spread to fill the space within. Pair this with other, even larger pot plants in the same hue for that cohesive and clustered pots look.
Size: 55 x 40cm
Colours: Ivory
Material: Concrete composite
Key features:
- Concrete composite with a 20kg weight
- White semi-gloss finish
- Hole and rubber plug at the base for drainage
Federica planter
$39.97 (usually $69.95), Freedom
Best for: A bold style statement
The generous size and classic shape of the Federica pot beg for placement front and centre at your front entrance or back patio. Indoors or outside, this textured terracotta tub makes the perfect companion for lush green foliage
Size: 26 x 22cm
Colours: White
Material: Terracotta
Key features:
- Textured surface with ribbed banding around centre
- Sturdy construction
- Perfect for grouping in multiple numbers
Bora Bora garden pot
$451.50, Cafe Lighting and Living
Best for: A bit of luxe
Elevate your space with this semi-gloss concrete-look pot plant. Its smooth sides and rounded base make it sophisticated, but with a softer, organic side. This plant pot would be ideal for a fiddle leaf fig or a plant with a lot of height, giving it the attention and statement in your home that it deserves.
Size: 55 x 75cm
Colours: Ivory
Material: Concrete composite
Key features:
- Concrete composite with a 32kg weight
- White semi-gloss finish
- Also available in a 45cm diameter pot
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
