Adding plants to your home or garden instantly lifts the atmosphere, bringing freshness and a bit of nature indoors. The planter you choose is just as important as the plant itself. The right pot can help your plant thrive and complement your décor, while the wrong one can stunt growth or cause unnecessary headaches.
Whether you are enhancing your garden planters or styling your indoor greenery with indoor plant pots, this guide will help you choose the right planter for any plant. We cover size, material, colour, and shape so your plants become an intentional part of your home’s design.
Understand Your Plant’s Water and Root Needs
Before you buy a planter, consider what your plant needs to stay healthy. Some plants, like succulents and cacti, prefer dry soil. These plants need pots with excellent drainage to avoid waterlogging. Others, like ferns or peace lilies, enjoy moisture and do better in pots that retain water a bit longer. Knowing your plant’s watering habits is the first step to finding the right planter.
Size: Not Too Big, Not Too Small
The right size pot gives your plant room to grow without drowning it. A pot that’s too small restricts root growth, while one that’s too large can hold excess moisture, risking root rot. Aim for a planter about 2-5cm wider than your plant’s current root ball.
It isn’t just about the plant, your planter should also feel proportional to your space. Think about both the size of your space and the plant:
- Small pots (10–15cm) are ideal for desks, shelves, or window ledges.
- Medium pots (20–30cm) work well on coffee tables, kitchen counters, or grouped in corners.
- Large floor planters (35cm and up) work best as standalone statement pieces near couches, in corners, or by the entryway.
Pro tip: Oversized floor mirrors, tall bookshelves, or gallery walls can be nicely balanced with a large planter to soften hard edges in open-plan spaces.
Know Where It’s Going: Indoor or Outdoor?
Not all planters are created equal, and where you place them matters.
Indoor Planters
For indoor plants, decorative pots without drainage holes can still work well when you’re using faux plants or pre-potted greenery. In these cases, the decorative pot is a stylish cover, while the plant inside the inner pot has proper drainage.
Indoors, the focus can be more decorative. Planters for home decor without drainage holes can still work if:
- You’re using artificial plants
- You’re placing a nursery pot tucked inside the decorative one
Outdoor Planters
Outdoor planters need to be tougher and more practical, with drainage holes if you’re planting real greenery.
For outdoor or balcony use, make sure your garden planters are:
- Weather-resistant (ceramic, resin, or fiberglass) to hold up to sun and rain without cracking.
- Built-in drainage to keep roots from sitting in water (especially after storms).
- A little lift with raised stands, feet, or wheeled bases to help with airflow and avoid water pooling underneath.
Match your patio planters to your indoor décor for a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, especially in homes with stacker doors, or verandas. A consistent colour palette and similar finishes help the spaces feel visually connected, even when separated by glass.
What Material The Pot Is Made Of
When choosing decorative planters for your home, the material, finish and texture can be just as important as the size or shape.
- Glossy finishes give a polished, modern look
- Matte finishes are subtle and timeless.
- Textured surfaces such as hammered metal or woven fiber add visual interest and tactile contrast to your room.
Whether you're styling indoors or out, here’s a guide to the most popular materials, plus real examples from our Woodka Interiors collection to help you choose the right one for your home.
Ceramic Planters
Ceramic pots come in endless colours, shapes, and finishes, which makes them a favourite for indoor décor. Glazed ceramics hold moisture well, making them perfect for tropical plants or pre-potted greenery. They’re also heavy and prone to chipping, so it’s best to place them where they won’t be bumped or moved too often.
Plastic
Lightweight, budget-friendly, and great at retaining moisture. Plastic pots are easy to move around and work well for moisture-loving plants like ferns or peace lilies. While they aren’t the most luxurious-looking, you can always slip them into a more decorative outer pot for added style.
While we may not stock basic plastic pots, many of our pieces use resin blends or coated materials with a decorative finish.
Resin Planters
Resin pots resist cracking, fading, and weather damage, which is perfect for South African climates where the sun and rain can be harsh. Resin planters often come in a variety of colours and styles, from modern sleek designs to more natural looks that mimic stone or ceramic.
Metal Planters
Metal pots are very durable and great for outdoor use, but they can heat up quickly in direct sun, which might stress some plants’ roots. To protect your plants, consider placing a liner inside or using them in shaded areas. Also tend to be heavier than plastic or resin but lighter than ceramic, offering a good balance for many settings.
Hanging Planters
Hanging planters bring texture and height to your plant display. These planters come in various materials like ceramic, metal, resin, or woven baskets. They work well indoors or outdoors, especially in small areas like balconies, kitchens, or bathrooms. Make sure they’re securely hung and the material suits the weight and watering needs of your plant.
Whether you want it to stand out, the planter shouldn’t overpower the plant, it should complement it like a frame to art.
Match the Planter to Your Interior Style
Your choice of planter should complement your home’s overall aesthetic. Here's how to pair planters with popular styles:
Coastal & Beach-Inspired
For a seaside feel, pick ceramic planters in light colours like white, pale blue, or sandy beige. Planters with rounded shapes, woven textures, rope details, or driftwood finishes pair well with greenery like ferns, palms, or artificial orchids. These planters are right at home in coastal-inspired interiors, where organic textures and soft, sun-washed hues set the tone.
Modern & Minimalist Spaces
Sleek planters in matte finishes, black, gray, or white, and geometric shapes work best here. Consider raised planters with metal legs for a floating, elevated look.
Pro tip: A monochrome planter with a sculptural snake plant makes a bold, modern statement.
Rustic or Farmhouse Style
Wooden planters, galvanized metal pots, or distressed clay vessels bring that whole ‘I just picked this from the garden’ aesthetic into your spaces. These pair well with wild greenery, ivy, eucalyptus, or faux lavender.
Whether you place them in the kitchen or style them in your entryway and hallway, distressed clay pots and galvanized planters bring an effortless, cottage-style feel that sets a relaxed tone from the moment you step inside.
Eclectic or Boho Style
Mix colourful, patterned pots from Moroccan tiles, terracotta, and woven baskets that double up as both planters and decor. Group pots of different sizes and shapes with trailing plants for a simple, natural look.
Group in Threes for Visual Balance
Styling planters in groups of three creates visual harmony. Vary the scale and silhouette with proportions; pairing slim, tall pots with rounded or textured ones can elevate even the simplest corner.
- One tall floor planter
- One wide, low bowl-style planter
- One small accent pot on a stack of books
Use this technique in living rooms, entryways, or even bathrooms for maximum impact.
Styling With Artificial Plants? Make It Realistic
Not all of us are natural gardeners and luckily, artificial plants have come a long way. Just be sure to match the planter to the type of plant. A tropical-looking fake palm in a rustic farmhouse pot will look off.
- Use pebbles, moss, or bark chips on top to disguise the base.
- Choose planters that reflect the intended environment. Orchid looks right at home in a glossy ceramic pot, perfect for a modern bathroom or in an entryway.
- A large artificial fiddle leaf fig feels more organic in wide, woven basket planter.
Care Tips for Long-Lasting Planters
Some materials, like ceramic or metal, may not have built-in drainage. Always check before planting and use liners, pebbles, or nursery pots where needed to keep roots healthy and surfaces protected. Wipe glossy finishes with a soft cloth to keep them clean, and avoid placing porous materials directly on wood furniture to prevent water stain.
Planters That Complete the Room
Your planter like a décor accessory should support your aesthetic, not compete with it. Whether it’s making a quiet statement on a shelf or standing tall beside your lounge suite, the right pot elevates the whole room.
Looking for planters that suit your space?
Browse our full collection of decorative pots and planters from garden-ready containers to modern indoor pots to find the perfect home for your plants.