Whether you’re a plant parent, or a millennial with a leafy love affair, a pot is just as important as the plant you stick inside of it—both for aesthetics and for plant health.
There are a few things you’ll need to take into consideration when choosing your plant’s future home—like pot size and material. From ceramic (of the unglazed and glazed variety) to wood, to concrete or even plastic, almost everything can be used as a planter—just check for a drainage hole!
If you have to have that adorable pot from the flea market, which of course is so cute but lacking in drainage, keep your new leafy lover in its grower pot (the plastic pot from the nursery) or add a layer of gravel to the bottom to avoid root rot. Better yet? Try one of the Instagram-worthy pots below that’ll please your plants and up your interiors.
For more plant necessities, like gardening tools and plant sticks, try these sustainable brands. And if you’re looking for leafy greens delivered straight to your door, here are a few of our favorite online houseplant shops.
1. The Sill
Made In | USA, Vietnam, Australia
Sustainable Materials | Upcycled & natural fibers, concrete, fiberglass, earthenware, nontoxic resin, recycled cotton rope & cord
Size Range | 3”–10”
Price | Starting at $34
The Sill wholeheartedly believes “plants make people happy” and we 100 percent agree. Diving into her family’s heritage, founder Eliza Blank discovered her new love for plants when she moved into her first apartment in NYC in 2012. The rest is history as The Sill’s sustainably-made pots and planters continue to thrive and inspire how we care for our plants and enhance our homes. Crafted by partners across the globe (including a BSCI-certified and women-owned factory in Vietnam) and handmade with nontoxic and formaldehyde-free options, each pot carries a unique name with a unique story which you can continue to cultivate in your home.
2. Ecopots
Made In | Asia
Sustainable Materials | Recycled plastic, recycled natural stone
Size Range | 3”–40”
Price | Starting at €4.95
Inspired by Scandinavian design, Ecopots brings you lightweight, durable and minimalistic pots and planters that’ll bring calm and serenity into your home. These beautifully striking plant pots are made with recycled plastic and recycled natural stone, but don’t let that fool you–each item is meticulously crafted to last ten years or more using innovative craftsmanship techniques that make Ecopots durable, shatter proof, UV-resistant and frost-resistant. The brand is also CO2 neutral through climate projects like forest protection initiatives in Guatemala and is polycert tested on a yearly basis. Shipping is available directly from their Belgium warehouse to select European countries.
3. Hawkins New York
Made In | Portugal, China, USA, Vietnam
Sustainable Materials | Fiber cement, waterproof stoneware, concrete, terracotta clay
Size Range | 7”–10”
Price | Starting at $25
Hawkins New York chooses old-fashioned fiber cement as the base of their footed planters. Cement is known for being a natural insulator, meaning it can warm the soil and maintain temperature better than other materials—aka it’s great for warmer weather-loving plants. Cement planters are also heavy, making them suitable for outdoor use, even in high winds (think desert cacti) or more adverse weather conditions. The footed detail on these Hawkins New York planters make them *chef’s kiss*.
4. Front Range
Made In | USA
Sustainable Materials | Unglazed terracotta clay
Size Range | 3”–5”
Price | Starting at $26
Front Range makes small terracotta pots (perfect for your prickly pals) in a range of modern, fresh shapes. We especially love its Steps Planter, which looks like the DEVO hat, and who wouldn’t want that in their home?! Unlike a glazed ceramic stoneware piece, terracotta (“baked earth” in Italian, FYI) is earthenware, meaning it’s porous, will absorb moisture, and develop a nice patina over time. Just make sure you place any terracotta pots on a non-porous surface to avoid damage to your floor, tabletop, etc.
5. Hasami Porcelain
Made In | Japan
Sustainable Materials | Clay & porcelain made from crushed stone
Size Range | 3.3”–5.5”
Price | Starting at $30
Hasami Porcelain sets itself apart from other porcelain homeware companies by maintaining the Japanese Edo-period handmade practices of the Hasami village. Whether glazed or unglazed, all Hasami pieces are offered in four neutral shades (blue, black, tan, and white). Planters come in two sizes, and a drainage plate is sold separately—they double as trays, as you’ll notice most can be mixed and matched! True Japanese functionality.
6. West Elm
Made In | Various global partners
Sustainable Materials | Recycled plastic
Size Range | 14”–22”
Price | Starting at $69
West Elm’s planters are chic, rustic, and perfect for indoor or outdoor use. The recycled plastic used in their Agave Planters makes these weathered finished pots lightweight and easy to move around as needed. With a number of sizes ranging from 14” to 22”, most large plants will be able to fit comfortably in this planter. Choose from caviar black, weathered stone or rust, all timeless colors that’ll elevate your space. And designed with a drainage hole, your plants will thank you!
7. Etsy
Made In | Varies by seller
Sustainable Materials | Wood, ceramic, renewable bioplastic, vintage metal, stoneware
Size Range | 3”–16”
Price | Starting at $10
No matter your aesthetic, there’s a pot and planter for everybody on Etsy. The online marketplace offsets carbon emissions through delivery and packaging with each purchase you make, meaning you’re helping local artisans and craft makers thrive while reducing your environmental impact. My Saratoga Style is an Etsy shop that handmakes beautiful mid-century modern planters and plant stands with natural materials like wood and ceramic to help bring the outdoor oasis into your home. We also adore LA-based seller Rosebud Home Goods for their funky and colorful handmade pots that are made with biodegradable and recycled plant-based materials for sustainability and style. Helping small businesses grow (see what we did there) never looked better!
Featured image from The Sill
