GARDEN PLUS · PLANTER GUIDE

How to choose
plant pots.
An indoor & outdoor guide

From living room to terrace: a visual guide to pot sizes, inner and outer pots, and drainage.

Indoor foliage plants beside terrace planters

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Three things first

  1. Location Indoors or outdoors?
  2. Size Measure the pot and rootball.
  3. Drainage Where will excess water go?

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Indoors: one pot to grow, one to style

Happy plant, new look? Keep the growing pot and add a decorative outer pot.

Cutaway showing a green growing pot with drainage holes inside a cream decorative outer pot
Cutaway: a draining inner pot inside a decorative outer pot.
01

Holes in the inner potHold the roots and let excess water out.

02

An outer pot that fitsLeave room to lift the inner pot out.

03

Empty after wateringDo not leave the inner pot sitting in water.

How do I keep the floor dry?

Lift out small inner pots to water, let them drain and then return them. For direct planting in a pot with holes, use a watertight saucer and empty it afterwards. With large plants, plan how to catch, inspect and remove excess water before buying. Some clay pots and saucers let moisture through, so check floor protection.

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Outdoors: give rainwater a way out

For pots exposed to rain, check the drainage hole, clearance underneath and the route to the floor drain.

Cutaway showing water leaving an outdoor pot through its base, with pot feet providing drainage clearance
Drainage: an open outlet with space beneath the pot.
01

Check the outletOpen holes or remove plugs as instructed.

02

Keep the base clearUse stable, load-suitable pot feet if needed.

03

Avoid standing waterEmpty saucers and keep floor drains clear.

What about sun, wind and weight?

Check the product's outdoor and sun-exposure suitability. Covered balconies still need moisture checks; do not rely on rain alone. Choose a stable shape in windy spots. A heavy pot is not windproof: secure movable plants early before a storm. For large planters, confirm the location can support the pot, plant and wet growing medium.

References: RHS container gardening · Hong Kong Observatory precautions

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Size: a little room, not a giant leap

For repotting, assess the rootball. For an outer pot, measure the existing inner pot.

A pot proportionate to its rootball on the left, and a pot with much more unused growing medium on the right
A modest step upChoose the next suitable size for the rootsAvoid oversizingExtra mix can stay wet for too long

Buying an outer pot? “20 cm” may be the outside diameter. Check the internal opening, depth and base space.

When does a plant need repotting?

Look for tightly circling roots, roots emerging through drainage holes or mix that dries unusually quickly. When repotting is needed, usually consider the next size up, adjusting for the plant and rootball. These signs call for a closer look, not an automatic increase in pot size.

Reference: University of Minnesota repotting advice

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Four checks before you order

01Inside dimensions

Opening, depth and base width.

02Drainage fittings

Holes, plugs, saucers and feet.

03The setting

Indoors, rain, sunshine or wind.

04Access & weight

Doorways, paths and filled weight.

Open the material quick guide
  • Unglazed terracotta: a natural finish; the mix dries more readily.
  • Glazed ceramic: plenty of styling options; check for drainage holes.
  • Plastic / resin: usually lighter; check outdoor weather resistance.
  • Fibre clay / composite: a stone-like finish; weight varies by product.
  • Metal: consider heating in sunlight and corrosion protection.

Material, wall thickness and finish all affect performance. RHS material reference

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Common questions

Can I use a pot without holes?

Use it as an outer pot around a draining inner pot, and remove collected water. For most plants grown in potting mix, avoid direct planting into an undrained decorative pot. Water culture and purpose-built reservoir systems work differently.

Can stones replace drainage holes?

No. Stones do not create an outlet in a sealed pot. Make sure water can leave, then choose a suitable growing medium.

Are self-watering pots for every plant?

Check whether the plant suits consistent moisture, then follow the pot's instructions for growing medium, filling and water levels. Do not assume the reservoir should stay full. Outdoor use also needs suitable weather resistance and overflow provision.

Can an outdoor pot go indoors?

Possibly, with a suitable drainage and floor-protection arrangement. Check the size, weight and whether the base could scratch the floor.

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Find your plant's next home

Send us photos of your plant, its pot and the intended spot, along with measurements. We will help narrow down the choice.

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Diagrams explain general principles. Check the actual product's construction and instructions before use.