Getting Creative with Pots and Planters

Gardening has soared in popularity significantly due to the pandemic. Since then, 18.3 million new gardeners have picked up the hobby, most millennials. Not surprisingly, global online sales of gardening goods have doubled.

Planters have been part of the surge as consumers look to enhance indoor and outdoor spaces with greenery and floral displays. There’s no end to how you can use them to add interest to a dull corner in your home, space on your deck, or as a focal point to your home’s entry.

So, let’s look at how you can get creative using plants.

Why Are Pots and Planters so Popular?

Let’s start by looking at why planters have become so popular.

Pots and planters can be used indoors and outdoors on balconies, patios, windowsills, tabletops, and more. So they can add texture, color, and a decorative element to a range of spaces. And they can do so relatively inexpensively versus expensive collectibles or other decorative items.

Regarding indoor planters, the latest design trends focus on bringing the outdoors inside. And there’s no better way to do that than with planters. For example, use a planter for a Ficus tree to fill a space. Or add air-purifying snake plants to create a healthier environment inside.

Indeed, plants have been shown to improve air quality, reduce stress, and boost mood. So apart from their decorative element, there’s an element focusing on physical and mental well-being.

Then there are space considerations. Many people don’t have a large background or one at all. Planters allow those folks to garden without much ground on hand.

What Are the Different Types of Pots and Planters?

Just as there are numerous ways to use planters, there are multiple types to choose from. They come in various styles, materials, and shapes. Here are some of the most common planters:

1. Round Planters: The most common planter type, you can select from plastic, ceramic, terracotta, metal, and more. Round planters are exceptionally versatile, hence their popularity.
2. Square Planters: Square planters impart a more contemporary look to a space. And unlike round planters, they fit more nicely into a corner space. Moreover, square planters give you more watering space versus round planters.
3. Wall Planters: You can use a wall planter indoors or outdoors. For example, you can add a wall planter to a patio wall to complement other greenery in an outdoor space. Find a wall planter with a unique shape and use a trailing plant to add even more interest.
4. Hanging Planters: Hanging planters are suspended from the ceiling or wall and come in various shapes and materials, including metal baskets, woven baskets, and glass globes.
5. Window Box Planters: Window box planters are designed to be mounted under a windowsill and come in various materials, including metal, wood, and plastic.
6. Urn Planters: They come in various shapes and sizes and are a garden staple for many. You can use them as the focal point or use a garden urn to plant an array of greenery and flowers that become the focal point.

Where Can You Use Planters?

Start by asking yourself where you would like to use a planter because you’ll likely be able to. And again, you can use them inside and out.

Some of the best places for planters include:

1. Patios, Decks, and Balconies: Planters can create an attractive and functional outdoor living space. They can also add interest to an area on your lifeless patio. For example, a deck railing planter adds visual appeal to bare wood. Or a flower box can draw your eye to an open space on your patio.
2. Windowsills: Bring the outdoors inside by growing herbs, flowers, or other plants on windowsills. Think about it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a supply of fresh herbs on hand that you can pick to use for cooking whenever you like?
3. Gardens: Even if you have available outdoor space, you can use planters to embellish them. Use urn planters to serve as an entry to a garden.
4. Entryways: Add curb appeal to your home with planters while making your entry more inviting.
5. Rooftops: If you’re a city dweller with a rooftop deck, you can create a green roof. You’ll help reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the building while improving air quality.
6. Offices: Why have your customers, clients, or patients walk into an empty space? Add some personality and enliven the area with planters to make the space more inviting and welcoming.

Getting Creative with Pots and Planters

Don’t look at planters as a container. Instead, look at them like a blank canvas where you can create living art. There are many ways you can bring visual interest to a space using pots and planters.

Here are some ideas:

Vertical Gardening

Instead of hanging pictures on a wall, why not use wall planters? They’re easy to hang. Moreover, by creating a wall of plants, you’ll add a living element to your walls versus a static picture. And, as mentioned, you’ll improve your air quality to boot.

Hanging Planters

You can use hanging planters to create an attractive and functional plant display virtually anywhere. For example, instead of setting a planter on a windowsill, use a hanging planter bowl to add depth to the space. Use a trailing plant, and you’ll increase the visual interest even more.

Recycled Planters

If you’re not looking to spend much money, consider ways to recycle household items. You’ll help the environment while adding interest to a space. For example, you can recycle cans, bottles, or tires and repurpose them as planters.

Self-Watering Planters

If you’d like to join the crowd and use planters to add an organic element to a space but don’t want to concern yourself with watering, get creative and use self-watering planters. You can find self-watering planters that are decorative and practical. For instance, Artstone resin planters include a self-watering feature with a one-of-a-kind marbled look. They’re also durable enough for outdoor use.

Planter Boxes

There’s nothing inherently creative about a planting box. But when you use it as a palette, you can create a work of art. Use colorful plants, different textures, different shapes, and different growing habits – let nature inspire you.

And the great thing about planter boxes is that you can use them anywhere. For example, flower window boxes add curb appeal to row homes with no planting space in front of your home.

Themed Planters

You can use pots and planters to focus on a theme that evokes memories or takes you back to places you’ve been. For example, if you grew up in the Southwest with its more barren landscape, you can use cacti and other succulents in a planter to bring back memories of childhood landscapes.

Terrarium and tray planters let you get creative by using plants and natural materials like stone and wood to create a mini-landscape that evokes fond memories.

Getting Creative with Plants for Pots and Planters

If you have an endless list of areas to use pots and planters, the types of plants you can use in them are even more endless.

Of course, there are the standard annual and perennial varieties that capture the interest of any gardening aficionado. But you’re not limited to standard fare.

You can use planters for herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, sage, and rosemary. Place a planter on your patio or deck near your grill, and you have a ready supply of herbs to flavor your favorite grilled items.

Or, as mentioned, place an herb planter on a windowsill near your stove to spice up your cooking.

Succulents like cacti and aloe vera are popular choices for pots and planters due to their low maintenance and watering needs.

Ferns are popular choices for indoor and outdoor planters. Their lush, green foliage embodies the notion of bringing the outdoors in. You can almost smell the freshness of their greenery.

And lest we not forget vegetables. Planters provide an exceptional alternative to people who lack gardening space. You can use planters to grow tomatoes, peppers, herbs, watermelon, cucumbers, and so much more. Indeed, companies like EarthBox specialize in container gardening products for growing your own produce.