Once you have got your houseplants in order, it is easy to forget about indoor plant pots and which ones are the best too really suit your house. We rounded up the best on the market right now and spoke to the Director of horticulture at Petersham Nurseries, Amanda Brame, to get her expertise.
'Plants have taken us by storm - we’ve seen a massive increase in the variety of house plants offered on the market over the last couple of years and whilst the flowering varieties are certainly beautiful and can certainly add a pop of colour here and there. For me, it’s the calm green giants with textured leaves that win every time. '
Do I Take My Plant Out Of The Plastic Pot?
'In nearly all cases I would leave the plant in its plastic pot and place it inside a suitably sized container with a little gravel or Lecca (clay stones) at the bottom. This keeps laying water away from the roots. If you are using a container without a hole at the bottom, which by the way is defiantly a good idea if you haven’t got a saucer or if it's sitting on your prized dining table, take the plant out of its container to water and pop it back in once it has completely drained- overwatering is just as important in plant care as under-watering. I water them in the evening and leave them to drain in the kitchen overnight.'
Containers are really a matter of choice.
Are Self-Watering Pots Good For Indoor Plants?
Self-watering pots are a great idea and certainly save handing over your precious ones when you leave home for a few days. However, the ritual of watering and tending your plants, pinching off the odd dead leaf here and there, and nipping out a spent flower bud to stimulate more to follow is part and parcel of caring for your plant, so don’t be fooled that water is all they need. As Amanda states watering your plants can be a quick way in adding to your self-care routine.
Remember it really depends on what plant you are using. Each plant has its own needs so you need to be careful. If you no longer are working from home then they can be a great option for you. Here are some of the best ones we have found...
SHOP: The Best Indoor Plant Pots
Cotton rope absorbs water from the planter pot it keep the soil moist. No need to water your plants every day, so it subtracts the daily watering job for you.
Easy to use: Arrange the strip in the drainage plate, plant the flowers with soil in the pot, With the water reservoir the plant can self water, Thanks to the drainage plate water overflow is prevented
www.diy.com
This one is for your small plants! 'Previous reviews mention that the twining is too small but I don't share the same view - a bit of adjusting & it all fell into place nicely. Currently have a white flowered trailing plant in my first one & about to purchase some more. Yes, the pot is small, but it's as advertised..'
www.ikea.com
Place lots of plants so they'll be seen in their full glory. With the IKEA series, you display them on different levels and maximise the number of plants in a small area. A stage of greenery.
Hanging plants add a sense of height to a space. The Bolo ceramic pot is suspended by a matching rope design with curved metal in a brass finish creating a contemporary look. Easy to mount on the wall or ceiling, it's ideal for ferns, succulents and other greenery to bring the outdoors in. The matching hanging hook and fittings are included.
www.therange.co.uk
By far one of the cheapest options. An elegant addition to any home or garden, the Sonora Small Ceramic Pot Cover is beautifully designed and made from durable ceramic. Fill this pot with your favourite plant and place it inside or outside your home, bringing life and colour to your surroundings.
Take your plant and floral arrangements to new heights with this unique tall round planter in minimalistic white. The sleek, contemporary design fits ideally into any home or garden decor.
www.johnlewis.com
Voted 5* by reviews. The pot itself is nickel-plated and the stand has a brass finish. This combination of bronze and gold metal colours gives it a modern look, making it a statement piece for your home. The stand can be stood either way up, so you can choose to have the pot rise above the top of the stilts, or be fully surrounded by them. Inspired by the best of design principles, Design Project is a series of original pieces for the contemporary home; progressive in intent, carefully designed and crafted. Techniques and materials are thoughtfully re-examined, bringing together the traditional and the new, creating original objects that are made to last and sit beautifully in the modern home.
www.therange.co.uk
Turn your indoor foliage into a gorgeous decorative feature with this Aztec Tile Print Planter, featuring a raised pot overlaid with a wonderful repeat quatrefoil and diamond pattern. Presented in black and white with beech wood legs, this tripod planter is perfect for placing your houseplants in and standing in any room as an charming accent piece.
10.
IKEA Plant pot
www.ikea.com
This basket style is suitable for all rooms, style or season. It's satisfying and doesn't have to cost a fortune.
www.ikea.com
A cheap and simple alternative!
How Often Do I Need To Repot My Plants?
Indoor plants need re-potting usually every two to three years, in most cases you can use ordinary garden compost in a slightly larger plastic pot – ask your local shop or garden centre, they will be only too happy to hand over the waste pots and see them reused. Amanda suggests always sticking to specific indoor types of compost for cacti and orchids though, as they do perform much better in the correct soil type.
Bathroom Plants, Cold Room Plants And Where To Buy Them
Here are our top flowering plants and suggestions on where to buy them.
If you are looking for houseplants for cold rooms, try Araucaria heterophylla.
If you are looking for a rundown on bathroom plants, try a hanging cactus like Lepismium Bolivianum.
Stuck for where to start? Here's our guide to the best houseplants to grow easily yourself.
How To Look After My Plants When I Go On Holiday?
Amanda tells us to place plants in the bathtub, sitting them on a bed of capillary matting, which you can purchase quite easily in garden centres or hardware shops. The mat absorbs and holds a water reservoir allowing the plants to only take up what they need. It may be worth asking someone to top up the water level once or twice while you are away.
If you only have just one or two plants, place the bottom of the pot on a wide saucer of moist grit- this will help keep the humidity levels high until your return.