9 Questions You've Never Thought to Ask About Planters

Feeling left out?

It’s a common problem.

You’re walking into a restaurant and your friend mentions how the pots and planters are directing foot traffic toward the entrance.

Or you’re walking the dog, and he mentions something like “you know, a faux plant would work better in that space than what they have going on.”

They are all the rage, you see them everywhere, and you feel like you know next to nothing about them.

Planters can really have a major impact: they add life to a space, or they can do the opposite, sending a signal that this is where good plants come to die and you should move on.

But where do you start if you don’t know much about planters?

Take a shortcut and read through these questions and answers:

1. Does it matter what material the planter is made from?

Absolutely. Pots and planters are made from a variety of materials, and each kind of material has different properties that can 1) benefit or harm the plant, 2) enhance or detract from the look and feel of the space you’re decorating, and 3) lose their luster or stand up to the elements and the test of time.

Cheap, run-of-the-mill plastic planters may get the job done for the short term, but they’re very limited in terms of longevity and their ability to be customized to match your office or commercial space. Some plastic planter varieties can crack easily, may leach toxins into the soil (no good for the plants), and generally come in just a few color options.

Fiberglass planters are super strong, affordable, lightweight, and weather resistant; not to mention they come in a variety of colors.

Aluminum planters are a great choice for durability and style as well - especially if you’re looking for earth tone finishes to complement your indoor or outdoor space.

2. Can I get a warranty for my planter?

It depends; some places may look at you like you’re crazy if you ask for a warranty. If you’re purchasing a pot or planter that isn’t expected to last, the chances of getting a warranty for it are pretty slim.

But if you’re outfitting your office with a cool collection of plants, and you’ve spent the time to find planters you really like for their style and durability, wouldn’t it be great if the planters came with some kind of warranty?

We think so, too. Pots, Planters & More always provides a three (3) year warranty on our fiberglass manufactured planters.

3. I want to use fake plants for our office. Is there a special kind of planter for those?

You can use just about any planter style you want!

Fiberglass, metal, and resin planters can accommodate a wide variety of artificial plants and shrubs - in fact, you may discover you have more options available as you could use both indoor and outdoor planters inside. The same rule typically doesn’t apply the other way around as indoor planters may not be constructed to withstand changes in heat and cold, rain, snow, and more.

One recommendation: in the event you do decide to change your arrangement to include live plants in the future, it’s a good idea to go ahead and order your planter with drainage holes.

4. Can you use a planter for something other than plants?

I like how you’re thinking.

There are loads of creative options for pots and planters.

You could use them to showcase rock features, use them for storage, or even create waterscapes. Check out some more ideas here: More Than Just A Planter: 5 Tips To Get More From Large Planters.

5. Is it possible to customize a planter?

Short answer = yes.

But it helps to know what your options are. Here a few categories to consider:

• Use case: start here. It’s tempting to start on the creative side, right? Who doesn’t love mixing and matching colors, shapes, and sizes to create the perfect look? Before getting too far down the road, make sure to think about your plant’s location and maintenance requirements. Is it going in an office? What kind of plant are you using? How will it be taken care of? Those kinds of questions will help you settle on the best plant/planter combination for your space and the size, shape, materials, and finishes to showcase your selection.
• Materials: Does it need to be strong and lightweight? Fiberglass is a great option. Going outdoors with your planters? Aluminum options are sure to please.
• Finishes: Use color to go muted or make a statement. Match a surrounding texture with faux stone or concrete, or keep it slick and glossy. There are so many options to choose from.

Did you know? We offer custom planter design and you can choose color options from America’s largest selection (90+ options).

6. How many Planters® peanuts would fit in a large planter? Will they stay fresh in there?

You know, I’ve never had that question before. Let’s run some quick math…

[imagine the sound of gears turning, clicks, and electrical beeps]

• Standard Planters® peanuts container holds 16oz
• Standard serving size is 39 pieces (who just eats 39 peanuts?)
• 16 servings per container, so that’s 624 peanuts filling a 16 oz container
• Volume equation is V=πr2h
• Our stunning Rio Grande Modern Cylinder Planter Pot is 18″D x 20″H with a 15.75″D opening
• That means ~109,167 peanuts would fit in the Rio Grande planter.

You’d need something to seal the top of the planter to make them stay fresh, but no guarantees.

7. As a follow up, and I know this isn’t related, but what is the oldest potted plant in the world?

Installed in 1775, the Eastern Cape giant cycad at Kew Royal Botanical Gardens is the oldest. And it’s massive - the king of potted plants weighs over 2,000 lbs and measures 4 meters tall.

8. How do I know what size planter I should use?

We just so happen to have a Plant Container Size Guide that should help.

A general rule of thumb is to use a planter that’s sized to match the plant’s natural characteristics. For example, if the plant naturally grows tall but has a wide root structure, you should select a pot or planter that enables the plant to spread out at the base - a narrow, tall planter just wouldn’t work. Each species will have its own requirements for soil, light, water, and temperature conditions, so make sure to do a little research before settling on the right planter.

Also, think about the plant’s location and how you’ll be using the plants to either decorate or define a space - that will go a long way in helping you decide on the right size and shape of planter you should use.

9. Where is literally the best place on earth to get high-quality, customizable planters that come with a warranty?

Is this a trick question? I think you know.

Pots, Planters & More is here to help

Doesn’t it feel better to have some answers?

Make sure to check out our planter collection, get planter design ideas, or browse custom options.