12 of the best planters, plant pots and plant boxes

I can’t imagine having a home without plants. Not only do they make spaces feel calmer and more inviting, they also improve air quality and have a positive effect on mental wellbeing. What’s more, there are all sorts of beautiful ways to show them off, so for this month’s ‘best of’ round-up I’ve picked out 12 of the most stylish minimalist planters, plant pots and plant boxes on the market at the moment.

As always, I’ve tried to include options for all budgets; there are also various sizes to suit different spaces, plus some designs that work both indoors and out. There’s even an ingenious storage bench with a built-in area for plants, which is probably one of the most versatile pieces of furniture I’ve ever come across! And if you want any tips on what to put in your chosen pot or box, take a look at my recent post on five easy-to-care-for houseplants…

1. ‘Ent’ steel flower pots (available in white and black and three different sizes; suitable for indoor and outdoor use), £118-154 each, Made in Design
2. Ferm Living hexagonal plant pots (available in numerous colours and four different sizes; indoor use only), £32-55 each, and matching stands, £27-32 each, both Cloudberry Living
3. Textured brass planter (indoor use only), £75, Cox & Cox
4. Ferm Living plant box (available in rose pink, light grey, dark grey, black, dark green and red-brown; indoor use only), £179, Cloudberry Living. Also available in a smaller size without legs for £59 and a round version with legs for £159
5. ‘BITTERGURKA’ steel and bamboo plant box (indoor use only), £6, IKEA
6. Hübsch oak storage bench with cushion and plant stand (indoor use only), £275, Rose & Grey
7. HAY polystone ‘Flowerpots’ with saucers (available in numerous colours and six different sizes; indoor use only), £11-69 each, Nest.co.uk
8. Ferm Living wall boxes (available in light grey, black, dark green and red-brown; suitable for indoor and outdoor use), £49-£65 each, Cloudberry Living
9. Skagerak ‘Edge’ pots (available in sierra yellow and burnt red and three different sizes; indoor use only), £31-44 each, Skandium. Outdoor versions also available for £44-125 each
10. ‘SATSUMAS’ bamboo plant ladder with five plastic pots (indoor use only), £30, IKEA
11. Woud ‘Pidestall’ iron flower pot (available in blue, red and grey and two different sizes; suitable for indoor and outdoor use), £189-249, Nest.co.uk
12. Menu ‘Wire’ steel plant pot and stand (available in black and white and three different sizes; suitable for indoor and outdoor use), £86-98, Really Well Made

Here’s a closer look at some of my favourites…

Ferm Living’s plant box

Ferm Living‘s powder-coated metal plant box is incredibly versatile and can be used to store books and magazines as well as plants. I’ve seen it acting as everything from a hall sideboard to a bedroom dressing table, and there’s even a range of black and brass tray tops that can be added to create different sections. Ferm also makes a smaller version without legs (ideal for windowsills and table tops), plus a round option with an add-on wooden lid that makes a brilliant side table. All come in a wide choice of colours, including timeless grey and black and on-trend rose pink and red-brown.

The ‘Edge’ pot by Skagerak

Created by Ditte Reckweg and Jelena Nordentoft, the duo behind the Stilleben lifestyle store in central Copenhagen, Skagerak‘s ‘Edge’ series consists of hand-thrown terracotta pots in various sizes. They were inspired by ancient Greek and Egyptian craftsmanship, which is reflected in the amphora-like feet and the choice of sierra-yellow and burnt-red colurways, and come in indoor and outdoor versions. There’s also a collection of matching tableware and vases.

The ‘Wire’ plant pot by Menu

Designed by Norm Architects for Menu, the ‘Wire’ plant pot was inspired by displays at a Japanese garden in LA. It’s available in white and black and comes with a choice of three stand heights, meaning it works equally well on tables, windowsills or the floor. It’s made from powder-coated galvanised steel so it’s just as happy outdoors as in, and there’s a handy removable drainage plug. I think it looks particularly striking clustered together in groups or paired with the matching ‘Wire’ side table.

The ‘Flowerpot’ by HAY

There’s something wonderfully honest and playful about HAY‘s ‘Flowerpot’ – in fact its simple shape looks like the kind of flowerpot I would have drawn as a child. It’s made from polystone, creating a rough concrete-like finish which contrasts with the minimalist silhouette, and comes in a choice of colours and sizes. The matching saucer adds to the whimsical look and catches any excess water.

All images via the brands named above