Designer plant pots and planters – how to find the right model for your home
- Cachepot vs. self-watering pot – the difference
- Types, shapes and sizes
- Indoor & outdoor planters
- The right material
- Summary
1. Cachepot vs. self-watering pot – the difference
Broadly speaking, there are two different types of plant pot: the cachepot and the self-watering pot. With a cachepot, excess water can't drain away. So you either need a saucer or inner pot as well, or you add a drainage layer inside the pot to keep excess water away from the roots.
A self-watering pot, on the other hand, has its own water reservoir. A separate container made of unglazed terracotta, which you fill directly with water (2), keeps the soil moist and supplies the plant's roots with a small, steady amount of water.
Another option is a visible water level indicator (3): the water reservoir is made of glass, so you can see how much water is left in the pot. Here, too, you pour the water straight into the glass container, from which the plant draws the water it needs.
As well as these two types, there are also watering cones (1), which fit any pot, and models with a drainage hole and saucer (4). Both are easy ways to create your own watering system, stopping your plants from drying out and preventing waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
"A plant pot with a built-in watering system is particularly practical when you're travelling and can't water regularly for a while. Thanks to the water reservoir in the pot, the plant simply draws the water it needs." – Viktoria, interior expert
2. Plant pots: types, shapes and sizes
Freestanding, hanging, wall-mounted or greenhouse-style – there are many different types of plant pot. Cachepots on stands are particularly on trend. Planters also come in a wide range of shapes. Cylindrical pots offer plenty of room for roots and let you add a drainage layer at the bottom, while shallow pots with a large diameter are particularly good for shallow-rooted plants or bulbs. When it comes to size, it's best to always choose a cachepot slightly larger than the previous one, as this encourages your plant to grow. For fast-growing plants, it also helps to go for an even larger pot straight away, with future growth in mind.
3. Indoor & outdoor planters
Indoors, you can use any type of planter, but there are several things to bear in mind with outdoor plant pots. Not only do they need to be weatherproof, but excess rainwater must also be able to drain away. The planter also needs to be stable enough to withstand wind and weather. Make sure, too, that the material – metal, for example – doesn't heat up the soil or make frost worse. You'll find suitable outdoor planters and more tips on the category here.
4. The right material for your plant pot
There's a huge choice of materials for designer plant pots, each with its pros and cons:
A ceramic planter (6) is hard-wearing and durable, but also comparatively heavy. The most common materials are earthenware and terracotta, which come glazed or unglazed but heat up in strong sunlight. Concrete is similar to ceramic, but has a typical fine-pored look.
Metal plant pots have the same problem with sunlight. On the other hand, planters made of aluminium or powder-coated steel (1) are lightweight, hard-wearing and come in a wide range of colours and shapes.
With plastic, you can choose between fabric, such as polyester or polypropylene (4), and rigid shapes (3). These also have the advantage of being lightweight and available in many different designs. For outdoor use, however, they need special treatment, as sunlight can otherwise make them brittle.
Glass plant pots also come in many shapes and colours, look particularly elegant and let the plant take centre stage. However, they're quite heavy and break easily.
Wooden models (2) can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, it's important that they're lined or coated on the inside, otherwise the wood absorbs too much moisture and rots.
5. Summary – what to consider when buying a planter
- There are two categories of planter. The first is the cachepot, where excess water can't drain away and you need an additional saucer or inner pot. The second is the self-watering pot with a water reservoir. With watering cones, models with a drainage hole and saucer, separate water containers or water level indicators, plants draw as much water as they need. This makes self-watering pots particularly practical.
- Hanging, freestanding or wall-mounted: Connox offers plant pots in a wide variety of designs and shapes.
- Large cylindrical plant pots offer plenty of room for roots, while shallow pots with a large diameter are the best choice for shallow-rooted plants.
- When it comes to size, always choose a cachepot slightly larger than the previous one to encourage growth. For fast-growing plants, an XXL planter is a good idea from the start.
- Indoors, you can choose any material, but an outdoor plant pot needs to be weatherproof and stable, and excess water must be able to drain away.
- From ceramic and glass to plastic, metal and wood – there's a wide choice of materials for designer planters, and each has its own pros and cons.
Buy designer plant pots and planters online at Connox – your benefits at a glance
- high-quality original plant pots and planters from top design brands
- personal support from our customer service team
- fair delivery costs
- secure payment thanks to SSL encryption
Shopping advice at Connox
Would you like to buy designer plant pots or planters online but need some help? Our customer service team is always happy to help. We'll support you with advice while you shop, make recommendations and answer your questions quickly. Then simply sit back and have your chosen item delivered straight to your door.
