Indoor plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also beneficial for the health and well-being of homeowners. As reported by NASA, indoor plants can improve air quality, while Biophilic research found that indoor plants also reduce stress.
However, when it comes to choosing the best pots for indoor plants, there are many factors to consider.
From size and color to design and shape, it’s important to get the right indoor pot for your space. Planters Etc will help you find the perfect pot for you, whether it be a home or office.
Let’s take a closer look at our guide to the best pots for indoor plants, so you make the right choice for your space!
Table of Contents
Commercial VS Residential Pots For Indoor Plants
While there are many different types of plant pot, they can be broken down into commercial and residential. In 2022, commercial planters accounted for 55% of all plant pots!
Residential Indoor Planters
With home decor as the number one reason to introduce pots and planters, residential planters tend to be smaller and more traditional in shape.
The other features that homeowners look for are a lightweight construction, durability, and longevity. As a result, homeowners can create a natural look without much maintenance or taking up too much space.
Commercial Indoor Planters
Offices, restaurants, cafes, hotels, retail, and other indoor spaces all stand to benefit from indoor plants. But without the correct type of planters, indoor plants can easily start to require lots of time for TLC and eventually die – not ideal for a customer-facing commercial space!
To give customers and guests a proper biophilic experience, planters are often bigger, with grand designs, or worked into the existing landscape using brand colors. Commercial properties also use rectangle planter shapes like the Potsdam to create functional spaces, using the long profile of the plant pot to divide rooms, or offer privacy.
For both applications, people need a wide choice of color, size, and shape. Check out our vast collection available at Planters Etc and get exactly the pot you need!
What Are The Best Pot Shapes And Designs For Indoor Planters?
The best shape for indoor plant pots may vary depending on the type of pot, the size and type of the plant, and the overall design of the room.
Rectangular Planters
Rectangular pots take up less space and provide a large area for planting, they can be placed along walls, hallways, and tabletops, and are easy to clean.
Rectangle pots need to be watered evenenly so there is enough soil moisture throughout and you may need more than one drainage hole to effectively let all the soil dry.
Flex your design muscles with these rectangle planter ideas!
Tall Planters
Tall planters enable plants to be introduced to any space and really make use of the vertical plane. They are especially effective when you have a small space and you need to be economical.
Additionally, these types of pots are easier to water and provide lots of room for the plants to take root and grow full and healthy.
Learn these incredible tall planter tricks and tips!
Round Planters
One of the best shapes for indoor plant pots is round. As a simple design that has been popular since the beginning, round planters look great in any interior from residential to commercial. The round shape has a small footprint and often only needs one drainage hole to flush moisture effectively.
Round planters are used by interior designers to soften the hard aesthetics of modern buildings – something that has been proven to have great biophilioc effects!
See how our round planters were used in homes in these case studies!
Fluted Planters
Fluted planters are both eye-catching and stately with an exciting design style giving a grooved and textured appearance.
Fluted planters are often used as stand-alone plant displays that can be considered closer to art than simply a plant container.
Square Planters
Square pots are also popular and can make an impressive plant display. Naturally larger than round pots, square containers offer more plant growing space while also being more stable. Square pots neatly fit in corners and can create seamless wraparound barriers when used with rectangle planters.
Our most popular model, the Montroy Cube planter sports a no-fuss yet perfectly-presented aesthetic that looks great in any one of our 20 premium colors!
Hanging Planters And Wall-Mounted Planters For A Plant Wall
Hanging pots and hanging planters may give a rustic farmhouse feel, but these shapes are not popular in professional settings. Instead, consider modern planters like the Nile Wall Planter. Offering a sleek and durable design, these pots suit minimalist and contemporary spaces much more than other materials and shapes.
Best Pot Shape Tips
Consider the overall design of the room. Modern-style rooms suit a pot with clean lines and a simple shape, whereas more traditional-styled rooms pair better with more intricate details and a more complex shape.
Have a pot design that is easy to clean and maintain. A smooth surface like fiberglass that can be wiped down easily.
Good drainage holes, a matching saucer, and the use of an inner pot can help your space stay looking tidy.
Generally, round planers only need one drainage hole, while a rectangular planter may need several built in drainage holes to remove all excess water.
What Are The Best Materials To Use For Indoor Plant Pots?
The material of the pot is also important because it affect installation, aesthetics, and longevity. There are various types of material to consider. Here are their drawbacks and benefits!
Terracotta And Ceramic Pots
A clay pot made from ceramic or terracotta is usually an attractive choice. Ceramic and terracotta pots come in a wide variety of colors and styles, and they’re also relatively inexpensive. Some more pros are that:
- Are porous, which means that they allow the soil to breathe and the roots to grow properly.
- Store moisture well, which helps to keep the plants hydrated.
- Can be made in a variety of different shapes and sizes, making them perfect for any type of plant.
- Are typically very durable, meaning that they will last for years with proper care.
- Are often quite beautiful, adding a touch of elegance to any room.
However, while ceramic and terracotta pots are classic and stylish, keep in mind they can be heavy and breakable. So, make sure you have a sturdy surface to place them on. In addition, they do not look or perform to a luxury standard and are not favored by interior designers.
Plastic Pots
Another popular choice for indoor plants, plastic pots are easy to move and clean, which is important in a commercial setting. They are also:
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Good as a short-term or stop-gap option as an indoor pot
However, some drawbacks of plastic plant pots are that they may not be as durable as other materials, and they can discolor over time.
Metal Pots
Durable and modern-looking, metal pots can also stand out for their elegance. They are also:
- Durable lasts long and can be reused multiple times.
- Aesthetically pleasing, can complement the look of your home
However, they can get very hot in direct sunlight, which can damage plants and anyone moving the pots, so it’s best to keep them in cooler areas. They can also be more expensive than other materials, and they can be difficult to move around, so they may not be the best choice for businesses that need to change their layout frequently.
Fiberglass Pots
Fiberglass planters are an ideal choice for businesses that want to add a touch of style and sophistication to their space.
- They are lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant. Fiberglass plant pots are also easy to clean and maintain.
- They are an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
- They are perfect for plants that require a lot of sunlight, as they will not fade or deteriorate in direct sunlight.
- They are a good choice for plants that require little or no water, as they are extremely drought tolerant.
- Fibreglass plant pots are an excellent way to add style and flair to any home or office. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles to match any décor.
- Initially, fibreglass planters tend to be expensive; however, because of their high quality and ability to stand the test of time, we believe they are worth every cent!
Learn why landscapers and interior designers prefer using fiberglass planters and the unique benefits they bring!
The Best Colors For Indoor Plant Pots
The best colors for indoor planters are those that will complement your décor and make a statement. Color is a personal preference and often dependent on the space, but here are some pointers to consider.
The best indoor planter colors for homeowners are neutral colors that can blend in, such as black and white. Other colors include:
- Brown / Natural
- Gray
- Blue/ Green
- Red / Orange
- Multi-colored / Patterned
Small pots with fancy colors and designs look great in a little hobby room, however, for grand designs and interior landscaping throughout a luxury apartment or property, simple one-tone planter colors look better, cleaner, and more modern.
For office spaces, black and white are recommended as they are clean sleek colors that introduce plants subtly and effectively while bringing a sense of life and growth into the space.
The best color indoor plant pots for hotels are those that complement the existing décor and add a touch of style and elegance to the space. White, cream, black, gray, or earth tones should work for most hotel lobbies and spaces, whereas brighter colors like red or orange work better for more modern and contemporary designs.
For restaurants and cafes, lighter colors will help to reflect light and make the space appear brighter. Darker pots can make a space feel smaller and more closed off, which may be appealing also.
Neutral colors like cream, grey and beige generally work best for retail stores. Pastel colors are also good choices as they help add a touch of color to the store without being too overbearing.
Here are some more tips to keep in mind:
- If you are looking for a dramatic and formal look, consider a black or white planter
- For a more subtle and understated look, try pastel colors
- Use light colors if you are trying to grow flowers or vegetables since this will help attract more pollinators like bees.
- Some plants do better in certain colors of pots. For example, cacti and succulents often do well in bright colors such as pink or purple.
- If you are not sure what type of plant you would like to put in your pot, consider a neutral color such as brown or tan. This will allow you to change your mind later on without having to buy a new pot.
Browse all of our premium planter colors and finishes and get the inspiration you need to make that planter color choice!
What’s The Best Size For An Indoor Plant Pot?
The best indoor plant pot size depends on the size of the interior space, the plant size, and the intended function of the planter. Here are some tips for sizing indoor pots:
- Choose the location first. Pot size often dictates placement. For example, larger pots need to be placed on the floor, whereas a small pot that can be placed on a table or countertop.
- Think about function. You need a long rectangular planter like the Miami Planter to create a privacy screen with plants. On the other hand, to create a simple plant display, large planters are extremely popular.
- The size of the pot should also be proportional to the size of the space; a large pot in a small space will look out of place, and a small pot in a large space will get lost.
Next, find the best plant pot size for your plants. As a general rule, choose a pot that is 2-4″ inches larger than the greenery inside. Here are some important factors to consider regarding the best sizes for growing plants.
- Large plants like perennials, shrubs and trees need large pots, and small plants like herbs need small pots. This is due to different plants having varied root lengths.
- Generally, most plants will be ok with a pot that is 5 gallons, or 12 inches in diameter, or 1 gallon of soil per foot of plant height.
- The container volume should be twice as wide and deep as the root ball for optimum growth.
- Plants that need to be watered more frequently will need a larger pot so that the roots have room to grow.
- Another reason is purely economic. If your planter is too big, you are wasting money, potting soil, and space. Too small, and you risk stunting the plant or introducing death through root rot and wasting your time and money.
If in doubt, consult our plant pot size guide to help get the perfect pot!
Get The Look With Our Luxury Planters
See Our Planters Used By Professionals And Homeowners
Learn how you can use planters to create amazing spaces from the Philadelphia International Airport to the Gates Hotel South Beach in Miami.
Give Your Space A New Look!
As an authorized dealer of the Jay Scotts Collection, our planters are found in the world’s most beautiful interiors.
Whether it’s a home office or a hotel lobby, almost every space can benefit from indoor pot plants. Choosing the right pot and plant can be difficult, so it’s important to consider everything from the color schemes and type of plant to the size and budget available.
Get it right and your indoor space will have a touch of class that will last for years to come!
Interested in buying a planter, but unsure of what design or size? Contact us and we’ll be right on hand to help!
Or, if you’re ready to get stuck in, check out our fiberglass planter collection!
