How to choose the perfect pot

The right pot can make an artificial plant look more natural, finished and expensive. The wrong one can make even a beautiful faux tree look awkward and top-heavy.

The short answer: choose a decorative pot that completely hides the plant's starter pot, has an opening wide enough for the starter pot to slip inside, and is in proportion to the plant's overall height.

For a 90cm artificial ficus lyrata in a small starter pot, we recommend the 20cm patt fiberclay pot. In our video below, we compare four pot sizes on the same tree, so you can see how much difference sizing makes.

What to measure before you choose a pot

Most artificial plants arrive in a plain, black plastic starter pot. Before you pick a decorative pot, check these three things that will be listed on each plant or pot product page.:

1. The starter pot size. The decorative pot needs to hide the starter pot completely, so nothing plastic peeks over the rim.
2. The pot opening, not just the overall width. A pot's opening is usually narrower than its outer width. If the starter pot can't physically drop through the opening, it won't fit, however wide the pot looks.
3. The height of the plant. Tall plants often come in surprisingly small starter pots. They might technically fit a small decorative pot, but the proportions will look off, so it's usually worth sizing up to balance the look.

If your plant is going outside, also choose a pot that is suitable for outside, so it doesn't fill with rainwater. Our outside pots come with drainage holes or the option to add your own, it is useful to check this information before buying.

Example: a 90cm Ficus Lyrata in four pot sizes

To show how much size matters, we potted a 90cm artificial Ficus Lyrata (fiddle-leaf fig) in three sizes of our patt fiberclay pot and the 25cm patt straw grass pot. The tree has a fairly small starter pot, which makes it tempting to go small. Here's how each size looked.

The takeaway: the starter pot only tells you the minimum size that will fit. The height of the plant tells you the size that will look right.

Snug fit or oversized? Choosing your look

There's no single right answer, just the look you prefer.

• A snug, well-proportioned fit feels classic and natural, as if the plant has always lived in that pot. Go for the smallest size that hides the starter pot and suits the plant's height.
• An oversized pot gives a bolder, more minimalist look, with the pot becoming a feature in its own right. It works especially well in modern, pared-back rooms.

Whichever you choose, a pot filler or decorative topper adds stability and hides the gap around the starter pot for a polished finish.

Find the perfect pot for your plant

On our product pages, we've handpicked a few pots that fit, including some snug and an oversized options, so you can choose your style with confidence. Browse our full range of plant pots and accessories, or explore the patt fiberclay pot in black and grey.

Some of our plants are a rare with unusual bases like the queensland bottle palm tree with it's bulging, water-storing trunk or the giant boxwood ball that doesn't need a pot but could be styled in one. Or just not sure which size to choose? Get in touch or start a chat, and our team will happily help you find the right fit.