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Picking the right pot is like choosing the right pair of shoes for a day out — it can make you comfortable, confident, and ready to shine, or it can leave you wobbling. The container you use affects drainage, root health, heat retention, and the overall look of your outdoor space. Whether you’ve got a sweeping backyard or a tiny balcony, the right pot turns plants from potted items into proud focal points. Let’s walk through what to look for so your plants thrive and your garden looks magazine-ready.
There are more options than your local nursery aisle might suggest. From ceramic classics to modern fibreglass, every material has its personality and practical uses. Below I break down the common types and when they shine — think of this as a quick menu for matching pot properties to plant needs.
Ceramic and terracotta feel timeless: they breathe, are heavy enough to stop top-heavy shrubs tipping, and age beautifully with moss and patina. The downside? They’re prone to cracking in freezing weather unless you bring them under shelter. For indoor houseplants or sheltered patios, they’re a top pick.
Wood looks warm and natural and fits into cottage or country gardens like a glove. Wooden planters and raised beds — like the ones sold by specialist retailers — offer great insulation for roots and are perfect for veg patches. Just choose rot-resistant timber or plan for lining and maintenance.
Fibreglass and resin pots give a contemporary look with superhero resilience: light, durable, and frost-resistant. They mimic heavier materials without the weight, so they’re ideal for balconies where you might want large planters but don’t want to move them single-handed.
Grow bags are breathable and inexpensive. They’re brilliant for tomatoes, potatoes, and shallow-rooted veg because they air-prune roots and prevent circling. Think of them as breathable backpacks for your plants.
If you love muted colours, clean lines, and pottery that looks as good indoors as out, Nordic Nest is worth a look. Their range leans into the Scandinavian principle of “less but better,” with pieces that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. Here are a few standouts and what they offer.
This 8 in flowerpot blends sleek styling with a practical size that suits medium houseplants, succulents, or single-stem flowers. It’s the sort of pot that quietly elevates a room without shouting for attention.
A smaller, beige-toned option, the Flowery pot is perfect for clustered displays on windowsills or for creating a calm, neutral backdrop to bright blooms. It’s ideal if you like to group pots at staggered heights.
This compact pot works brilliantly as a decorative accent for tiny herbs or succulents. It’s an easy way to bring texture to shelves or side tables without occupying much real estate.
With an extra-large saucer, this piece is both stylish and practical — saucers protect decking and indoor surfaces, and the black finish suits a modern colour palette.
Mustard tones are on-trend for adding warmth without overwhelming a space. A sleek pot like this is an easy way to introduce colour into a neutral garden scheme.
A bigger jar-style planter provides visual weight and is ideal for grouping multiple stems or a small shrub. Grey hues are versatile, pairing well with both bright foliage and soft pastels.
The shiny finish gives a touch of glamour to everyday plant care. Use it for statement plants or a sculptural fern in a hallway.
For a bold, sculptural piece, this large hourglass planter is a showstopper. At just under 20 in across, it’s perfect for statement trees, dramatic palms, or grouping tall grasses for a modern sculpture-like effect.
For gardeners planning veg beds or large outdoor displays, Buy Sheds Direct has a practical focus on wooden planters and raised beds built to hold soil and stand up to the weather. Their products tend to emphasise functionality and size, which is exactly what you want for ambitious projects.
A balanced square trough like this is ideal for herbs, salad leaves, or mixed seasonal displays. The size keeps things compact yet substantial.
These smaller planters are brilliant for creating a staggered arrangement on patios or along walkways. A set of three allows you to plant a triangular composition for visual interest.
A 6 ft by 3 ft raised bed gives you generous growing space while keeping soil depth and temperature easier to manage. This is the scale many veg gardeners choose for seasonal rotation and companion planting.
Mobility plus function: a tall, wheeled planter offers height for easy gardening and the flexibility to reposition plants for light or shelter — especially handy on patios exposed to wind or on decks where layout needs change.
These wedged grow bags combine the benefits of fabric containers with larger volume, making them ideal for potatoes or multiple tomato plants where you want breathability and drainage.
A long, shallow option like this works well for row planting or for those who want continuity along a fence line or path.
Compact and tidy, this planter is great for tight corners or for lining steps and walkways with low-growing herbs or flowers.
Beyond specialist retailers, a number of high-street and online stores in the UK offer great pots and planters at a range of prices and styles. Think of your shopping options like different toolboxes: some are for style, some for hard-wearing practicality, and others give the best bargain finds.
B&Q is a go-to for a wide range of planters from budget-friendly plastic to timber raised beds and glazed pots. They’re reliable for size variety and opportunistic seasonal deals.
Homebase strikes a balance between trend and practicality, with lots of ornamental pots alongside useful raised beds and compost mixes — handy if you want a one-stop trip.
These high-street names often stock on-trend styles at competitive prices. Dunelm is strong on decorative indoor/outdoor ceramics, while Argos is useful for quick buys and compact planters for balconies.
If you’re focusing on hardwearing wooden planters, raised beds, or heavy-duty materials, these builders’ merchants are solid for structural items and fittings.
Size matters more than you might think. A too-shallow pot can stunt roots, while a too-deep pot holds excess moisture. Here’s a quick guide in imperial units so you can picture real-world pots before you shop.
For herbs and small bedding plants, aim for pots around 6–8 in deep and wide. These sizes are perfect for basil, chives, or a collection of succulents on a sunny sill.
Tomatoes and peppers prefer 12–18 in depth with a width of 12–16 in per plant. If you’re planting two or three together, think of a 20 in plus diameter container so roots aren’t cramped.
For shrubs and small ornamental trees, choose pots that are 18–24 in deep and wide, or larger. A rule of thumb: the pot should give at least 6–8 in of space around the root ball to allow for growth.
A raised bed at least 12 in deep works for most vegetables; for root crops like carrots, 18 in depth is safer. For wide beds, widths of 3–4 ft prevent you from needing to step into the bed to reach the middle.
Good drainage keeps plants from sitting in a soggy grave. Think of drainage as the pot’s breathing system — without it, roots suffocate and rot. Here are practical tips that make a huge difference without costing a fortune.
If a pot doesn’t have holes, either drill some if the material allows or use it as a decorative outer cachepot and place a drained nursery pot inside. Saucers are useful but remember to empty them after rain.
Choose a pot-specific compost that drains well. For vegetables, pick an enriched mix; for succulents, a gritty, fast-draining medium is better. Layering gravel at the bottom is less effective than using a proper compost that matches plant needs.
For wooden planters, use breathable liners to protect the wood while allowing drainage. For fabric pots, make sure they sit on a surface that allows water to escape without staining.
Pot styling is part art, part geometry. Mixing heights and textures creates a layered, lived-in look. Imagine your pots as a small orchestra: each one has a role, and when arranged thoughtfully, they make beautiful music together.
Clusters of three or five look more natural than pairs. Stagger heights — a tall pot in the back, medium in the middle, small in front — and play with foliage and flower colours for contrast.
Stick to two or three colours for a cohesive look. Neutral pots give your plants the starring role, while a handful of coloured pots can act as punctuation marks in your display.
Winter is when pots need a little extra planning. Some materials freeze and crack, and soil left in pots can expand and shift. With a few low-effort steps, you can protect your investment and keep plants ready for spring.
Move fragile ceramic or thin-walled pots under cover or against a warm wall. For larger permanent pots, wrap with horticultural fleece or bubble wrap to reduce freeze-thaw damage.
Overwet soil freezes more severely. Cut back watering and stop feeding plants a few weeks before the risk of your first hard frost to let them wind down naturally.
Before you click ‘add to basket’ or head to the store, take measurements, note the plant’s mature size, and consider weight and mobility. If you rent a top-floor flat, a heavy concrete pot might look gorgeous but could create structural headaches.
Bring tape measurements in feet and inches for balcony spaces and check that doorways and stairwells can accommodate large pots. Also think about how you’ll lift or move them — wheels or lightweight materials can save a lot of backache.
Plan for growth. Buying a slightly larger pot than you currently need avoids frequent repotting, and larger pots hold moisture more consistently, reducing watering frequency during hot spells.
Choosing pots and planters can be surprisingly rewarding. It’s a mix of practical gardening and interior design — one that rewards attention with healthier plants and a more inviting outdoor space. Whether you favour Nordic style ceramics from Scandinavian-focused retailers, robust wooden beds from specialists, or budget-friendly finds from high-street stores, there’s a perfect pot out there to fit your space, your plants, and your style.
Ready to refresh your garden? Start small, measure well, and have fun experimenting. Your plants will thank you, and so will anyone who visits.
| Pots & Planters | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Broste Copenhagen Eli Pot 10 Cl Matte Charcoal | £ 9,17 | |
| Scandi Living Sleek Pot Ø19 Cm Beige | £ 13,95 | |
| House Doctor Happy Pot 17 Cm Khaki | £ 16,- | |
| House Doctor Happy Pot 17 Cm Black | £ 16,- | |
| Scandi Living Sleek Pot Ø19 Cm Charcoal | £ 17,50 | |
| House Doctor Shell Pot Ø18 Cm Grey | £ 24,- | |
| Ernst Ernst Flower Pot On Foot Natural White H21 Cm Ø20 Cm | £ 27,- | |
| Kristina Dam Studio Serene Flower Pot M Terracotta Beige | £ 63,- | |
| House Doctor Gard Pot 2-pack Gray | £ 76,90 | |
| Northern Oasis Self-watering Flower Pot Medium Ø20,5 Cm Terracotta-white | £ 105,31 |
