Planters

Check the space inside as well as outside

The outside dimensions tell you how much room a planter occupies, but not how much space it provides inside. A thick wall, tapered body or narrow opening can limit the size of an inner pot. Compare the opening and internal dimensions with the pot or arrangement that needs to fit, including room to lift it out for care.

For a live plant, the growing pot should suit its roots and growth requirements. A large decorative container does not mean the plant should be planted directly into that entire volume. Where the product is suitable for use as an outer container, a separate growing pot lets you consider plant needs and room-scale proportions separately.

Plan for the whole arrangement

Consider the height and spread of the plant or artificial arrangement together with the planter. Foliage may extend well beyond the container's footprint. In an entrance or beside seating, leave room for that spread without narrowing a route or obstructing the view across the room.

A tall arrangement can fill vertical space in a corner; a lower, broader one may sit more comfortably beside furniture. The location must also meet a live plant's particular light and care requirements. An artificial arrangement avoids those growing requirements, but its support and fit still need to suit the container.

Drainage and decorative outer pots

For conventional pot-grown houseplants, drainage holes let excess water escape from the growing pot. A decorative outer pot has a different role: it can conceal that pot, but it does not replace its drainage. Water collected after watering needs to be removed so the growing pot is not left standing in it.

Before using a planter with a live plant, check its intended use, whether its material and finish are suitable for exposure to water, and any required insert. Neither a stone appearance nor a decorative finish establishes watertightness. An inner pot alone does not guarantee protection for the outer container or the floor, and not every decorative planter is suitable for live planting.

Form, finish and the surrounding interior

A simple outline can give the greenery more emphasis; a strongly shaped or patterned container becomes part of the display in its own right. Consider its colour, surface and proportions beside the floor and nearby furniture. Similar tones can connect separate pieces without matching their forms.

Explore materials for more about individual material character and finishes, while relying on the planter's own specification for suitability and care. When arranging greenery beside an entrance table, coordinate their heights and leave space between them for access. Before ordering online, check the stated dimensions and inclusions; plants, arrangements and inner containers should not be assumed to come with the planter.