Photo-Illustration: Courtesy of the retailer
We love plants here at the Strategist. We’ve written about low-light plants, off-the-radar indoor plants, status plants, pet-safe plants and more. (Much more.) The right plant can go a long way toward transforming an interior space, but not if you leave it in the plastic nursery pot many are sold in at plant stores — or shipped to your door if you order your plant online. Leaving plants in those plastic pots isn’t as much a disaster as it is a missed opportunity. A simple ceramic pot can make that big bird-of-paradise or monstera look less like an impulse purchase on your way out of Ikea and more like a thoughtful addition to your living room décor. And if you happen to have purchased a rare or exotic plant — say, one that has been compared to a Hermès handbag — you’ll obviously want to show it off in style.
If you’re nervous about repotting, don’t worry: You can probably leave your plant in that plastic pot for now; just get a slightly larger decorative pot and slip the plastic pot inside as a liner. (You’ll need to repot it eventually once it grows enough, but we can worry about that later.) As a bonus, this makes watering even easier because you don’t need to worry about drainage and you can easily do everything in the sink if you want.
If you want to upgrade your indoor greenery (and zhuzh up your décor at the same time), all you need is the right pot or planter. To save you some time, we scoured Amazon to find 46 of the best options for any sort of plant, including trios of tiny pots for a windowsill succulent garden; colorful and patterned options that work on home-office desks, coffee tables, and end tables; stands for the crown jewel of your plant collection; and hanging planters, outdoor planters, and vases.
An asymmetrical lip gives this three-legged planter a handmade feel. And when it’s not holding a succulent, it can double as a raised catchall.
Think of this woven basket as a jacket to dress up an already-potted plant.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is this pattern-free planter that has clean lines and comes in a Skims-approved shade of nude.
Each of this plant stand’s three tiers is designed to look like black marble, making it appear a lot pricier than it actually is.
Here’s a two-tier stand that’s slightly more subdued thanks to its slimmer profile. (If you have a lot of plants, there’s also a style with four tiers.) Its legs are made of bamboo, giving it a more natural look.
While we wouldn’t advise pairing plants with live llamas or goats, putting some small succulents in these ceramic animals would only make them more pleasing to look at.
The sea-foam-green hue on this textured pot would add a subtle touch of soothing color to any room.
A mid-century modern planter will match just about any décor, and this larger one is perfect for showing off a mature plant you’ve been cultivating over the past couple of years — or that you cheated and purchased full size. (We won’t tell.)
Here’s another mid-century option — but instead of wood, the stand is made of iron, giving it a more industrial look.
Finally, if you just dig the look of a mid-century-modern stand, here’s one that won’t set you back as much because it doesn’t include a pot. (You could use the money you save on more plants?)
Perfect for a small outdoor space, this planter box is made from acacia wood, which lends a rustic farmhouse feel and would suit a herb garden or flowering annuals in the springtime.
Amazon has no shortage of cute planter sets to choose from, but we appreciate the sleek design and playful color of this royal-blue trio.
This smiling planter will make it a little less embarrassing when you get caught talking to your plant.
To hold a larger conversation, try this striking planter which is, dare we say, multifaceted. It’s also petite, measuring just four inches high and six inches wide, making it small enough that it won’t overtake your décor.
All of the pots in this set of six are slightly different, but they complement each other when arranged together — just like the succulents you’d fill them with.
This rattan stand for smaller plants would look right at home in a bohemian space (or make a room look a lot more bohemian if that’s your goal).
If your plants are on the bigger side, the largest pot in this trio of black planters with elegant gold stands is 12 inches wide — a perfect size for that ever growing bird of paradise.
With the option to hang or free stand, this stacked planter is great for growing strawberries, peppers, or herbs in a small amount of space.
Lean into a ’70s aesthetic with this hanging disco planter.
If you still like the look of terrazzo, this handcrafted pot’s diminutive dimensions are a subtler, more modern way of incorporating the material.
This bold, gold-trimmed planter will make any succulent pop. It’s practically asking to be placed on a windowsill where the gilt base can catch the light.
Even more metallic but still streamlined are the pots in this twofer, each of which has a brushed-brass finish. The set comes with a larger six-inch and a smaller 5.25-inch pot.
These tiny marble pots in pastel shades include bamboo trays to capture water and soil leakage. Fill the set with a trio of mini succulents.
For slightly medium-size plants, like this royal-purple bougainvillea, go with one of these clean-lined ceramic planters with delicate gold accents.
The scalloped edge and green color add playful touches to this otherwise minimalist planter.
While we’re on the topic of minimalism, we love the clean look of these terra-cotta pots. They come in three sizes, and since the material is naturally porous, they’d make a nice home for a smallish snake or ZZ plant (or really anything that likes to dry out completely before being re-watered).
This pot has a subtle speckled pattern, but it won’t draw focus from the variegated leaves on your rare philodendron.
All this geometric planter needs is a cluster of succulents and voilà — an easy but eye-catching centerpiece.
In a neutral gray, this ceramic six-inch pot would be perfect for showing off a small plant on a table or desk. It comes with a matching saucer that makes it look even sleeker.
This sweet set of three pink pots in graduating sizes includes a smart drainage-hole system to avoid watering mishaps. We think they’d look nice on your WFH desk or as a way to brighten up a dull-looking bathroom.
The rusted-red color and textured geometric print make these planters look more like something you’d find at an open-air market in Marrakesh.
This vintage-style planter, on the other hand, looks like something you’d find at an estate sale.
Here’s one that really puts the fun in fungi (sorry, had to) — especially when nestled next to the mushroom lamp on your bedside table.
You won’t have to worry about root rot, thanks to three drainage holes hidden at the bottom of this curvy ceramic pot.
Or trade rounded edges for fine lines with these salmon-colored planters (that come with saucers).
“Hypnotizing” is how we’d describe this raised stoneware pot’s geometric pattern.
Add water to the glass container surrounding this pot and your plant will be well taken care of for a week or two when you leave town for vacation.
This ceramic planter is designed specifically to help an orchid thrive, which means it has ventilation holes on all sides to promote healthy roots (and prevent overwatering) and vibrant blooms.
Ceramic meets macramé in this quintessentially boho hanging planter.
This leather plant hanger was one of the top picks in our article on how to hang plants. Do note that the only things for sale here are the plant-hanging straps made of genuine leather — the pot is not included. The company says the straps “comfortably fit” pots ranging from four to 12 inches.
If you’re committing to the suspended-plant aesthetic, here’s a set of three hanging planters that come with rough-hewn ceramic pots.
To those who’d rather create more of a plant gallery wall, we suggest getting a few of these hanging planters that attach to a wall rather than a ceiling.
This woven-seagrass basket has a natural look and handles that make it easier to move whatever plant you put in it around. You can use an affordable plastic pot to line it, or whatever pot your plant may already occupy.
If you’re into propagating cuttings, this glass bulb vase — combined with the included wooden stand — would make for a nice propagation station. It could also double as a bud vase.
Reviewers rave about this cost-effective self-watering planter that has enough aeration to prevent root rot. Another thoughtful design feature: subtle risers that lift the planter’s base from the ground, helping prevent those furniture-destroying circular water stains.
This grooved planter is weather-resistant, meaning it can withstand changing temperatures on your patio. Or bring it inside for a stately entryway display.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, bed sheets, coffee makers, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
link