Bringing greenery inside is important if you’re going to be spending a lot of time indoors. But don’t just focus on the plants.
A well-designed container “allows you to curate your plant choices to create something that feels special and personal,” said Aaron Booher, a principal at Future Green Studio, a landscape design firm in Brooklyn.
Begin by considering where it will be installed, how much space you have to fill and if you want the planter to stand out visually.
“Is it going to be a sculptural statement in a room or an outdoor space, or more of a subtle background element?” Mr. Booher asked, noting that in his home, he often puts houseplants in vintage pieces of art pottery.
You might want to group several containers together, Mr. Booher suggested: “I really like groupings of plants, because it allows you to create a mini landscape.”
But even a single plant in a carefully chosen pot “provides all the benefits of a fresh-flower arrangement,” he said, with one key advantage: “It’s more permanent.”
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How large should a planter be? Almost any size that fits your chosen plant is acceptable indoors, Mr. Booher said, but larger is better outdoors, where the soil won’t dry out too quickly.
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Does it need a drainage hole? Drainage holes are convenient, but optional in smaller pots. If there’s no hole, Mr. Booher said, “you want to make sure it’s something you can easily take to your sink to saturate the soil and then pour out the excess.”
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How can you make a potted plant look better? “You can dress up the soil surface,” Mr. Booher said, “with moss, little pebbles or bark.”
Garden Terrace Cast Stone Pot Planter
Long cast-stone planter by Campania International
$105 at Perigold: 844-757-6588 or perigold.com
Dark Grey Round Hanging Cement Pot
Small rope-and-cement planter
About $11 at Jamali Garden: 212-244-4025 or jamaligarden.com
Monte Planter
Fiber clay pot with textured pattern
From $69 at Ballard Designs: 800-536-7551 or ballarddesigns.com
Galvanized Rim Planter
Galvanized-steel container with handles
From about $30 at Gardener’s Supply Company: 888-833-1412 or gardeners.com
Earth Fired Clay Thin Rim Pot and Saucer Set
Clay pots with an aged appearance
From $6 each at Terrain: 877-583-7724 or shopterrain.com
