15 Cool, Contemporary Terracotta Planters You Won’t Find at Your Local Nursery
And six are on sale.
Updated Jun 15, 2023 4:50 PM
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Truth: Terracotta—the color and the material—is everywhere. Thanks to earthy designers like Sarah Sherman Samuel and the couple behind Posada by the Joshua Tree House, the desert-y shade has appeared in furniture, bedding, and even bathrooms. And we’re certainly not mad at it.
That’s because terracotta, the actual clay material, is a total must-have for design-minded plant parents, too. First of all, it’s porous, so it allows water and air to flow through it. You can also use it indoors and out. And the look, while it happens to be timely, is also totally timeless.
But sometimes the planters you find at your local nursery, though utilitarian, can be a little plain. Here, we’ve rounded up the most stylish versions for sprucing up your home and yard.
Grow Your Own Way
The curved shape is pretty, and the fact that this porcelain planter comes in two sizes, each with a saucer that catches water, is extremely practical.
Pattern Play
Hilton Carter’s raised geometric pattern paired with a footed base makes a run-of-the-mill pot feel special.
Blooming on a Budget
For less than $20 a pop, you can fill your WFH area with enough greenery to make your coworkers think you’re taking Zoom calls from a tropical oasis.
Perfectly Imperfect
The tight, ribbing detail at the base of this planter will draw the eye up to your succulents of choice in this outdoor-friendly planter. Scoop up both the small and medium sizes for double the fun.
Hang Loose
Not all greenery belongs on the ground. This hanging container from Brooklyn ceramist Virginia Sin can float in any window, and its cutouts allow for strings of succulents to cascade down.
Variety Show
Playing with height makes an arrangement of vessels look interesting, even when they’re all made out of the same clay-colored material.
Bowled Over
This sophisticated pot looks so much more expensive than it is, and a grouping of succulents would only help add to its luxe feel.
So Edgy
A scalloped design gives this handcrafted Danish planter a touch of charm; the patina keeps it from being too precious.
Stand and Deliver
Give your squat pot a boost with a sleek metal stand that looks just as chic tucked into a corner of your apartment as it would greeting guests on your front porch.
Personal Preference
Another amazing aspect of terracotta? You can easily paint it any shade you like. Or if you’re not the crafty type, this geometric design is already done for you.
Terracotta, But Make It Fashion
Shaped like an upside-down hat, this wide-rimmed planter makes a quirky-cool style statement.
Up, Up, and Away
Here’s an idea with legs: Each of these three stilts has a drainage hole at the bottom to keep roots from rotting. We’re partial to Workaday’s chunkier, three-legged version, too.
Hold On
Handmade by artisans in the Philippines, we love the added detail of side handles to more easily rearrange your outdoor setup of mums or hydrangeas. And you won’t have to wait for that coveted patina to form.
Side Slope
Our trick to picking out a quality planter? Check the glaze. LBE Design’s is fully coated inside and out.
A Petite Suite
Why have one terracotta planter when you can have three? This sweet set comes with a trio of differently sized and shaped pots with saucers, but each is perfectly petite. Happy planting!