A planter can look generous in a photograph and still be too small for your plant. Its widest point is not necessarily its opening. Before choosing a colour, take a moment to measure the pot you already have.
Decide how you want to plant
You can keep a plant in its nursery pot and place that inside a decorative planter. Lift it out for watering, let excess water drain away, then put it back. This is useful when you want a different look without repotting.
You can also plant directly into MiniMarvels planters. We make drainage holes on request. Add your request when ordering or contact us first. Holes are not automatically included in every planter. A planter with drainage holes needs a suitable saucer underneath.
Write down three measurements
- The nursery pot's diameter across its top rim. Include any lip projecting beyond its sides.
- The pot's full height. It needs to fit inside the planter's depth too.
- The space on your shelf or windowsill. A sculpted planter may be wider than its opening.
Our planter sizes refer to the opening diameter, not the height. Check the specification of the particular model. Two shapes with the same opening can have different heights and internal volumes.
An example: a nursery pot measuring 12 cm
If the top rim measures 12 cm across, a 12 cm opening will be too tight for easy handling. Choose a larger opening and check the depth as well. Leave enough room to lift out the nursery pot without pulling on the plant. For an unusual shape, send us the measurements: the number printed on the base may not include the width of the rim.
Bigger is not always better when repotting
For direct planting, work from the root ball and the needs of the individual plant. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends a container only slightly larger than the root ball. A large jump in volume is not automatically helpful. There is no single watering schedule that suits every houseplant either.
A container without drainage requires careful watering and attention to excess water. If you prefer to see water drain away, request drainage holes or keep the plant in a removable nursery pot.
Then choose the shape and colour
For a narrow shelf, choose a shape that does not project beyond its edge. A single colour can sit quietly beside bold foliage; a sculpted surface can add interest to an otherwise empty sideboard. Elara is one example of a distinctive shape that benefits from a little space around it.
Browse our planters with your measurements beside you. Colour may catch your eye first, but the right fit will matter every time you water or move the plant.