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The best modern planters for outdoors and in
These contemporary concrete, terracotta and ceramic outdoor plant pots are stylish enough for indoors too
So obsessed are we with houseplants that stylish outdoor planters can feel hard to come by. The best options though, do it all – just as happy outside as in, they’re sleek enough for living rooms and bedrooms and hardy enough for patios, balconies and beyond.
From sculptural concrete planters to terracotta pots with a twist, we’ve handpicked an edit of designs to suit all spaces. Many are generous enough to give plants plenty of space to grow, too. Green fingers crossed...
‘Ori’ planter, Another Country
This spacious wooden trough looks most attractive when it is practically overflowing with greenery. Beautifully crafted, it’s happy indoors and out thanks to being made from sustainably-sourced ash. £845, twentytwentyone.com
‘Urchin’ planter, 101 Copenhagen
The exterior of this large bulbous concrete planter by Kristian Sofus Hansen and Tommy Hyldahl is inspired by the texture of beehives. The effect was created by taking casts of barnacles taken on the coast. The design is available in four sizes, but the grandeur of this largest version is worth the investment. Approx £511, 101cph.com
‘Scenografie’ plant pot, Lato x Lato
Inspired by the surreal paintings of Giorgio de Chirico and made specifically for cacti, the ‘Scenografie’ collection by Italian design studio Lato x Lato is sure to turn heads. Each pot plays on a different architectural device, and corrosion-resistant powder coating makes them suitable for indoors or out. Approx £460 each, latoxlato.com
‘Oasis’ plant pots, Northern
Prone to murdering your houseplants due to over watering? These planters by Ann Kristin Einarsen may be ideal for you. Each one comes in two halves, with the bottom portion serving as a water reservoir that you can fill from the side. The upper terracotta portion absorbs water from below when needed. From £173, northern.no
‘Pidestall’ planter, Woud
Raised up on feet to allow you to better enjoy your greenery, this design by Emilie Stahl Carlsen is intended for indoor use. How about filling it with a selection of herbs and placing in your kitchen for fresh pickings? £409, wouddesign.com
‘Sticks’ planter, Cane-Line
The modular nature of this design means that you can add to it as your garden grows. Integrate a bench, different sizes of plant trough or even a trellis. it’s the ideal solution for patios and balconies. From £450 for a single planter, cane-line.co.uk
‘Funki’ planter, Louise Roe
Treat your home to this raw-iron planter from the thoroughly modern Copenhagen-based designer’s covetable collection. There is a smaller version, but we love the metallic heft of this XL version. Approx £1,820, louise-roe.com
‘Cosme’ planters, The Masie
Populate your garden quickly by investing in these metal planters that come in a trio. Choose from four colour options, with each selection featuring a triptych of complementary shades. £124.95, themasie.com
‘Terre d’ombres’ plant pot cover, Ligne Roset
This design is made from 3D-Printed bio-plastic and recycled wood. Intended to add a geometric quality to existing plain pots, the piece by Minimum Design is intended for indoor use only, but if you’re brave it could add interest to a covered terrace. £201, chaplins.co.uk
’Pierre’ planter, Home Studyo
It may be smaller than some of the other planters in this list, but what this design lacks in stature it makes up for in style. Its balloon-like inflated form is crafted from earthenware, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. £65, homestudyo.com
‘Frida’ planters by Julie Harrison
It was an exacting client after some ‘out-of-the-ordinary planters’ that inspired French garden designer Julie Harrison to create her brilliantly bold mosaic pots. Latest colourway ‘Frida’ (pictured) is a tribute to the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and Harrison has recently created a range of vases with the same design language. From approx £98, julepaysage.com
‘Plant Box’, Ferm Living
There’s little this planter on legs couldn’t be used to display or store, though it makes a particularly neat home for a raised herb garden. Designed with modern living in mind, it comes in seven colourways and is just as happy outside as in. £235, fermliving.co.uk
Concrete pot, Serax
Cast in concrete with simple notches to aid portability, this stylish take on a cylinder planter will bring a hint of brutalism to your balcony. Simple and functional, it feels true to the Belgian homeware brand’s ethos. Large planter £41, scp.co.uk
‘Matégot’ flower pot, Gubi
Designed by Mathieu Matégot in 1953, this design still looks incredibly modern today. The secret to its charms is the pleated metal sheet that the designer named Rigitulle, which is held firm by a hoop of powder-coated metal. £149, gubi.com
‘Water Cooler’ planter, Tiipoi
Not Just A Shop is the University of the Arts London’s retail space, selling all manner of products designed by its creative graduates. Our latest find is this series of hand-cast concrete planters inspired by Indian water towers from Tiipoi, whose founder Spandana Gopal is an alum. £69, maisonflaneur.com
Scalloped ceramic plant pot, Anthropologie
Perfect for smaller plants, either indoors or on a balcony, this simple ceramic design also comes in white, but we think the scalloped edge on the cobalt blue version lends it wavy, coastal charm. £32, anthropologie.com
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