How to choose a planter for your succulents
Planters come in hundreds of sizes, shapes and designs. Those designed to hold succulents are generally smaller and shallower than planters made to hold common houseplants, flowering plants and climbers. Indoor and outdoor planters suitable for succulents are made of all kinds of materials, and their designs vary from minimalist to showy.
What are succulents?
Succulents are a family of plants that store water in leaves that are typically thick and fleshy. The most common examples are aloe, agave and cactus.
Succulents like dry climates
Succulents evolved to thrive in deserts and so are able to survive extended drought. They don’t do as well in areas of high humidity unless they are outside, where they get plenty of airflow. They do their best in potting soil made especially for succulents and cacti.
Succulents like it warm
Most varieties are extremely tolerant of high temperatures. Only a few can withstand freezing weather, so make sure you move your outdoor succulents indoors when winter approaches.
Succulents like light
When they don’t get enough sunshine, succulent leaves get a dull look. When you place them where they get all the light they want, their pink, purple and orange colors come out.
What kinds of planters are best for succulents?
Hanging planters
These planters are made to hang by cords, ropes or wires. Hanging planters are a great way to save space while dramatically displaying your succulents.
Zxfeng Six-Piece Dangling Succulent Planters
What you need to know: Hang these small pots on a rope anywhere, indoors or out.
What you’ll love: You get six ceramic pots in assorted colors, each attached to a sturdy jute rope. Adjust the heights and distances between these Southwestern-style pots for the look you want. Suspended like this, your succulents get more air movement, which keeps them healthier.
What you should consider: Be careful not to hang them too close to a wall, where they might be blown into it by strong breezes and damage your pots and plants.
Floor planters
Some floor planters sit directly on the ground while others perch on long- or short-legged stands. Floor planters are usually larger and heavier than other types and are therefore less easy to move than smaller planters.
Kimisty Mid-Century Succulent Planter Bowl
What you need to know: Use this round bowl on its four-legged stand indoors on the floor or outdoors on the patio or porch.
What you’ll love: The glossy white finish of this ceramic bowl is deep and wide enough to hold larger succulents and is nicely complemented by the stand’s dark acacia wood. A bowlful of small white decorative stones is included for a zen-like look and feel.
What you should consider: The quality of the glaze varies.
Tabletop planters
Some succulent planters make wonderful living centerpieces for dinner tables. Others look great on coffee tables, end tables or desks.
Kikkerland Concrete Desktop Planter for Succulents
What you need to know: Go green at the office with this small, stylish concrete planter.
What you’ll love: The terraced base holds a small succulent while the open top holds your pens, pencils and markers. The dual cubes of this planter-and-pen-holder combo measure 3.8 by 3.5 by 3.2 inches.
What you should consider: There’s room in the shallow planter for only one small succulent.
Windowsill planters
Long, narrow planters look great on windowsills and your succulents get lots of sunlight, too.
DR & Co. Stainless Steel Rectangle Planter for Succulents
What you need to know: This long, narrow planter is 16 inches long and 3.2 inches wide.
What you’ll love: The seams are welded for strength and the powder coat finish gives this planter a sleek, modern look while resisting scratching, chipping and fading. Four rubber pads are included for non-slip stability.
What you should consider: The narrow width only has room for one row of succulents.
Shelving
Shelves are a great way to display lots of succulents at once in a dry, sunny area.
Best TECSPACE 4 Tier Metal Plant Stand with Wheels
What you need to know: This metal rack with baking finish holds dozens of potted succulents and resists rust and fading.
What you’ll love: This plant stand has removable wheels for that enable you to move it for cleaning or decor purposes, is rust-resistant and durable and is great for outdoor use in all kinds of weather.
What you should consider: It requires assembly.
Small planters that can go anywhere
Groups of pots and planters let you place your succulents in any small space where it will get plenty of light.
Whimsical planters
These add a bit of fun to your succulent display.
Frozzur Three-Piece Human Face Planters for Succulents
What you need to know: Your succulents become the “hairdos” of the abstract faces.
What you’ll love: These multicolored human faces can be filled with succulents and placed on a coffee table, mantel or other prominent places. The white head is 10 inches tall, the grey one is 7.8 inches tall and the khaki head is 3.5 inches tall, all made of durable, safe and odorless resin.
What you should consider: The heads’ light weight means you should use them only indoors.
Pre-planted with succulents
The fast, easy way to get started is to buy a planter already filled with live succulents.
What you need to know: Your hen and chicks succulents arrive live at your door fully rooted in a decorative planter.
What you’ll love: The attractive 8-inch bowl comes filled with living plants ready for displaying inside your home or outdoors. Made of plastic, the bowl has the look of stone, with a center drain hole that lets the soil dry out completely between waterings.
What you should consider: Some of the succulents may come loose during shipping.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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