11 of the best pots for every kind of houseplant

As a generation of city dwellers delights in the greenery that architectural cacti and lush jungle-dwelling plants bring to their homes, once purely utilitarian pots and planters are beginning to share the limelight with the foliage they house.

Plants, and their pots, have become part of the furniture of many homes and finding good quality, beautiful and unique pots has never been easier. Creative, innovative planters are taking centre stage, with an up-and-coming generation of young potters uploading their ceramic masterpieces to Instagram and high-street shops stocking statement-making pots that won't break the bank.

 If you're struggling for inspiration on how to style your houseplants, just search under the hashtag #urbanjungle on Instagram, the photo-sharing app, and you'll find over 800,000 photos displaying everything from trailing pothos plants spilling over dusty pink ceramic pots to fiddle-leaf figs tucked inside hand-woven baskets in chic, minimalist homes.

Houseplant lovers should be on the look-out for pots that keep their plants healthy as well as those that complement the interior of their home to avoid plant deaths. Wherever possible, plants need drainage holes, so that usually means retaining the plastic pot the plant was bought in and disguising it inside a more aesthetically-pleasing cachepot. If not, careful watering will be needed to avoid drowning the plant.

Larger planters often have drainage holes, so it's a good idea to place a cork mat (£1.30, just-cork.co.uk) underneath to prevent water damage to surfaces.

Starting to feel some pot-envy?  Here are some ideas for where to find the perfect planter to update your houseplant collection.

For smaller houseplants

Sunbeam yellow dipped ceramic pots, £16, Oh Happy Glaze Etsy Shop

Leading the charge of independent potters is Brixton-based potter Charlie Trueman with his brightly coloured ceramic pots. Ranging from yellow to deep midnight blue, his pots are glazed inside (so fully water-tight). The smaller planters are a popular choice for houseplant lovers as a standard 8cm plastic pot fits snugly inside. The larger planters have drainage holes so you'll need to place them either in a saucer or on a surface where water damage won't matter. Charlie announces "drops" of stock on his Etsy shop through his Instagram account (@ohhappyglaze), so if you're looking for a particular colour of pot keep a close eye on his feed. 

For large houseplants

Large rattan baskets, £80, theforestandco.com

Larger houseplants such as mature Ficus lyrata can be difficult to pot. Terracotta pots are heavy and hard to move and plastic planters often look unsightly. Opt for a lightweight basket with handles for easy rearranging. These large rattan baskets are lined with plastic, so you can keep bigger plants in their plastic pots without needing to worry about watering catastrophes. 

For trailing houseplants

Two-tier jute macramé plant hanger, £19, thebasketroom.com

If floor space is at a premium in your home macramé plant hangers might be the solution. These two- and three-pot hangers from The Basket Room are made by a rural weaving cooperative in Bangladesh and are the perfect place to house a devil's ivy or other trailing houseplant. They aren't lined, so make sure to slide a saucer under each pot or tuck a plastic bag around the inner pot to prevent leaks.

For non-standard sized plastic pots

Washable paper plant bags, £12, notonthehighstreet.com

If you've been struggling to find a cachepot for a houseplant that's in a non-standard size plastic pot, try a plant bag. Made from washable paper, they're a relaxed alternative to a structured pot from Belfast-based Best Buds. They can be hand-washed in warm water and left to dry. 

For modest spaces

Small light grey plant box, £65, fermliving.com

Indoor gardeners struggling for space will find Ferm Living's plant boxes fit onto window sills and modest spaces, making them the ideal  cachepot for kitchen herbs. They also have larger boxes available with legs. 

For houseplant displays

Bloomingville flower pot stand, £42,quinceliving.co.uk

 A plant stand can bring  height to a display of multiple houseplants, or create a stand-out feature in a home. This pot stand from Quince Living will draw the eye when placed within a collection of houseplants. 

For  excellent drainage 

Orla Kiely Large Plant Pot, £24.99,inkoo.co.uk

Planting houseplants directly into attractive pots can be a dangerous business if the planter doesn't have drainage holes, so remove the risk and plant up in one of these retro-inspired Orla Kiely pots, which come with a matching saucer to catch excess water.  

For sprawling houseplants

Large cork planter, £51.19, Melanie Abrantes Etsy Shop

Made from naturally porous cork that is sourced sustainably, this shallow, wide planter would be perfect for a sprawling arid-loving succulent or a collection of smaller houseplants like dwarf African violets. Be careful when watering a cork planter if there aren't drainage holes; although cork is porous it won't drain excess water quickly. And you'll need to protect the surface it's standing on. 

For forgetful houseplant owners

 Sötcitron self-watering plant pot, £6, ikea.com

Ikea's self-watering plant pot will keep any houseplant alive, even if you're likely to forget a regular watering schedule. Just remember, on occasion,  to fill the water chamber in the base of the pot. 

For maximalist interiors

Gold, metal flower pot, £26, thehouseoutfit.com

The luxurious lines and colours of art-deco are set to be a key interior trend this year and brass or gold plant pots will bring a touch of old-school Hollywood glamour to a room instantly. Pair with the soft foliage of an asparagus fern to emphasis the clean lines of this pot from The House Outfit.

For cacti

Set of 3 terracotta plant pots and saucers, £21, idyllhome.co.uk

Cacti are one of the easiest houseplants to overwater and often it is only in the later stages of rot that the damage becomes apparent, leaving it too late to try and save them. Prevent the worst by planting cacti in terracotta pots that wick away excess moisture from the soil. 

• Visit Lucy Kehoe's blog at scousesucculents.co.uk