Nearly all houseplants start off life small, so it is important to find the best small indoor plant pots to give your little indoor plants the best start in life. Some small houseplants will grow out of their pots in no time at all, whereas some will stay small for the majority of their life. Examples of small indoor plants include ivy, succulents, bamboo, bonsai plants and string of pearls.
There are a few things to consider when shopping around for small plant pots, you'll need to ensure that they have some sort of drainage so your soil doesn't get too wet, causing your plant to drown. If you're considering a saucer or a tray under your pot, make sure to empty it from time to time. If you like a pot without drainage holes, don't worry. Keep your plant in its plastic container, and use the nicer pot as a cover.
Best small indoor plant pots at a glance:
• Best overall: Waitrose Garden Single Galvanised Pot - View on Waitrose Garden
• Best eco-friendly small indoor plant pot: 7" Nut Husk Plant Pot, Planter Pot with Saucer - View on Etsy
• Best value small indoor plant pot: Ceramic Footed Plant Pot White - View on Dunelm
You'll also need to consider the material of your small indoor pot - we've included lots of ceramic plant pots, as they're the most popular kind you'll find in houses. They come in all kinds of styles, colours and sizes to suit any preference. You can also find clay pots, which are heavy, porous and ideal for larger plants - perfect for ferns, cacti and succulents.
We’re here to help make caring for your houseplant as easy as possible, with these small plant pots being perfect for giving your favourite plant babies a new lease of life or to help settle a mighty newcomer into your home. Alongside this, we’ve answered your burning questions about which design is best, what plants will do well in smaller pots and more.
Best small indoor plant pots
Best overall
www.waitrosegarden.com
Available in an array of different sizes, these galvanised steel pots from Waitrose will be a hardy home for your indoor plant of choice. Made of a heavier gauge of sheet steel for extra toughness, they also have generous proportions to give you more planting options. Each pot has a 12mm drainage hole pre-drilled into the base
Pros
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Different sizes available
Cons
- Slight imperfections and variations may occur in colour, shape and size
Dimensions: | Small: 13.5cm x H14cm<br>Medium: 16.5cm x H17cm |
Best small indoor plant pot with drainage holes
www.chiveuk.com
This lovely blue ceramic plant pot from Chive is a fab option if you want drainage for your plant of choice. Even though they are made of ceramic, the brand left portions of the pots raw to add texture, giving them a natural vibe. There are loads of colours available, and we think they're perfect for growing mini succulents, cactus and fresh herbs.
Customer review: "Cute little planter that gets the job done. Love the drainage hole and saucer so I don’t overwater."
Pros
- Colours and textures really pop
- Drainage holes and saucer
Cons
- They are small in size, check the dimensions before ordering
Dimensions: | 3” diameter, 3” tall |
Best eco-friendly small indoor plant pot
www.etsy.com
If you're looking for an indoor plant pot that is kinder to the environment, this plant pot from Etsy is made from recycled and upcycled plastic, agricultural byproducts and nut husk. Each planter has been transformed into durable but natural-looking planters, each with its own unique characteristics. Equipped with a drainage hole and a saucer, this pot is also a perfect starter for plant beginners.
Customer review: "Beautiful planter! Super well made, great color, sturdy material."
Pros
- Made from sustainable materials
- Natural texture
- Drainage holes
Cons
- None
Dimensions: | 7in Width x 6in Height |
Material: | Recycled Plastic, Upcycled, Agricultural Byproducts, Nut Husk |
Best small indoor plant pot for aloe vera
www.dunelm.com
Aloe Vera is a hardy plant that doesn't need loads of TLC. However, in order to get those big, thick roots nice and happy, you need to choose a pot that is made from ceramic, terracotta or clay. We love this jungle-themed ceramic pot from Dunelm that is perfect for small plants.
Customer review: "Lovely and unusual design, Monkey, on plant pot. I bought 2, one small, one medium. The medium is more impressive, but they are both excellent value for money."
Pros
- Comes in two sizes
- Bold design
Cons
- Not to everyone's taste
Dimensions: | Small: H 10.8cm x Dia. 11cm<br>Medium: H 13cm x Dia. 14cm |
Material: | Ceramic |
Best small indoor plant pot for succulents
bloomboxclub.com
Most succulents grow pretty slowly, so you'll need to find a cosy home for them so they have plenty of room for their roots to grow. This beautiful Atlantic pot from Bloombox Club comes in a variety of different sizes and is dipped in blues and glaze, with subtle variegation and dappled effects achieved through a special firing process to ensure that each pot is a truly unique handcrafted piece.
Pros
- Small pots great for indoor plants
- Variety of sizes and colours
Cons
- Some sizes go out of stock quickly
Dimensions: | 11.5cm |
Best metal plant pot
www.wayfair.co.uk
Handmade in a rustic gold finish, this Wayfair Fernly Cachepot is fab for getting plants off the floor. As a handmade product, there are minor differences from one to another and each one is slightly unique. Intended for indoor use. This design is available in a choice of colours.
Pros
- Adds height to your indoor space
- Choice of colours
Cons
- As a handmade product, there are minor differences from one to another
Dimensions: | 62cm H X 18cm W X 18cm D |
Best rustic plant pot
www2.hm.com
This paired-back rustic plant pot from H&M makes the perfect backdrop for your plants and will fit into any interior. There's an array of colours on offer and each one comes with a drainage hole and saucer, perfect for ensuring your plant stays hydrated without the risk of overwatering. The colours are modern yet rustic, and we particularly love this speckled option which is a nice added detail.
Customer review: "Have bought plenty of these in different colours. The deep brown, my latest bought autumn colour, perfectly complements the green plant I've used it for. Love the fact it comes with a saucer to drain out excess water. Good quality material which showcases well in a living room."
Pros
- Drainage holes
- Great quality
Cons
- None
Dimensions: | D 14cm x H 14cm x Diam 12.5cm |
Best value small indoor plant pot
www.dunelm.com
Available in small and medium sizes, this plain white ceramic pot from Dunelm is of great value. We love the contemporary design and the easy-to-wipe clean finish.
Customer review: "Lovely plant pot. Not the strongest quality clay so be careful of it being knocked or banged. If it is just sitting quietly on a table top or shelf then it is perfect for purpose. Looks just great in the house. I bought two in the smaller size - one for a plant and one to store my wooden kitchen utensils. Thinking I would like to purchase another to store some artist paint brushes. Bought them half price in an Easter offer and absolutely delighted."
Pros
- Great value
- Simple and stylish
Cons
- Not the strongest quality clay
Dimensions: | Small: H 13cm x Dia. 11cm, Medium: H 16cm x Dia. 14cm |
Best boho plant pot
www.johnlewis.com
If you love a bohemian theme, this patterner weave planter will make any small or medium plant shine. It has a waterproof lining so plants can be de-potted straight into it.
Customer review: "Really lovely planter and a great size. Just what I was looking for. It has plastic lining to protect the wicker when using as a planter but could easily be used as a blanket basket etc instead."
Pros
- Lining to protect the wicker
- Could be used as a basket too
- Robust
Cons
- Larger than many on the list
Dimensions: | H34 x Dia.33cm (widest) / Dia.25cm (top and bottom) |
FAQs
Plants that can live in small outdoor pots
Examples of plants that grow slowly and thrive in smaller pots include:
Cacti
Nerve plant
Ivy
Flamingo flower
Aloe vera
Jade plant
String of pearls
Bonsai
Chinese money plant
Polka dot plant
Do you have to re-pot small indoor plants?
Many indoor plants are slow growing and can be happy in their pretty snug pots as they don't need a lot of space for their roots. However, if you see roots protruding (not just one or two) out of the drainage holes in your pot, it might be time to report your plant into a new pot, but only increase the size slightly. If your pot doesn't have drainage holes, look for signs that your plant isn't looking too happy. Repotting may just save its life.
What to read next:
The best indoor plant books to guide your journey as a plant parent
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Hannah Mellinis a Home & Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.