Styling Vintage Planters with Unique Houseplants – A Curated Selection of Plants and Planters to Inspire You

Combining vintage planters with fun and unique plants can add a lot of interest to a houseplant collection. The color and texture of both plants and planters can really make or break the overall appeal of how plants are styled.

Consider Color

• Because vintage planters are usually one-of-a-kind, you can create a very eclectic collection of planters. One way to do this is to keep all your planters the same color – just different styles, shapes, and sizes. For example, imagine a collection of all white vintage planters – the focus would be on the plants, as the color (or lack of) wouldn’t distract the eye.
• Another way to create a stylish collection is to use complementary colors of pots and planters, as I’ve done in this collection. By keeping the colors complementary, your plants will look beautiful together in one collection.
• Consider the color of your plants when choosing a planter color. For example, if your plant has a bit of pink variegation in the leaves, it could look very nice in a pink planter. But, if your plant leaves are all pink and you put it in a pink planter, you actually remove the focus of the plant and the planter. And – if you’re placing an odd colored planter among a collection of other plants, you’ll still want to consider how that planter color fits in with the other planters in your collection. For example, if all your planters are white, green, or natural colored, a pink planter among them might look odd.

Planter Style

• Another thing to consider when choosing planters for your plants is how well the planter compliments the plant. For example, pedestal planters work best for hanging, vining plants, and shallow planters work best for succulents or plants that don’t have deep root systems.
• For plants that have very textured or patterned leaves, plain and simple planters work best as they won’t compete with the plant. 
• Consider the shape of the plant when choosing a planter. Try placing a tall plant into a tall, upright planter to accentuate the height of both plant and planter. For plants that stay short, but grow outwards, a square or rectangular planter works best.

I’ve curated some of my favorite vintage planters below – along with plants that would do well in them. I’ve done all the hard work for you! Make sure to see the notes at the bottom of this article for more tips and ideas.

To shop – just click the planters and plants below for details and for information on where you can purchase them. The plants and planters are sold by independent, small business owners on Etsy. By clicking through to their shops and making a purchase, you’ll be supporting these shop owners. 🙂
NOTE: The specific planters shown here are authentic vintage – if you see one you love, grab it quick before someone else buys it!

The links in this post may contain affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission (at no expense to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. 

Ficus Tineke, Variegated Elastica Rubber Tree with Green Glazed Planter

Pair this variegated Ficus Tineke Rubber Tree plant with this vintage green ribbed planter for a spectacular look. The colors of the leaves are echoed in the planter. The subtle green color of the planter allows it to blend in well in an indoor plant room or with your home decor.

Pony Tail Palm, Elephant Foot with White Pedestal Planter

Accentuate the height of a Pony Tail Palm plant with a classic white pedestal planter – a perfect pair! Place this combo on the floor in an entryway, perhaps next to a bench – a nice welcome for your guests. If you prefer, set this pair on the corner of a bathtub for a tropic flair.

Madagascar Palm with Brown Drip Planter

Combine this exotic Madagascar Palm with this brown drip planter for a fun retro look. The horizontal lines of the plant work well with the vertical lines in the planter – groovy! The earthy brown color of the planter also blends in well with any decor. It also looks great nestled among other plants, especially plants in other neutral colored planters such as white, green, or terra cotta.

Ginseng Ficus Tree with White Bonsai Planter

Plant this fun Ginseng Ficus tree in this gorgeous vintage Haegar bonsai planter. The unique shape and curves of the planter, along with the legs on the planter look perfect with this ginseng plant. A unique combination that’s sure to be a conversation piece and a great addition to your houseplant collection.

Monstera Adansonii, Swiss Cheese Plant with Lava Finished Planter

This Monstera Adansonii would be happy to live in this very unique mid century lava finished planter from Italy. This planter is sure to be a show-stopper among your plant collection. It coordinates well with any decor, yet is a focal piece as well.

Foxtail Agave with Moon and Sun Drip Planter

Show off this Foxtail Agave plant in this unique Moon and Sun drip glaze planter. The natural tones of the brown and green make this planter a nice addition to any plant collection. It also coordinates very well with the other planters selected here.

Alocasia Tiny Dancer Elephant Ear with Whitewashed Pedestal Planter

A Tiny Dancer Alocasia Elephant Ear plant would look right at home in this vintage McCoy whitewashed pedestal planter for a fun look. The small pedestal planter raises the plant up as the leaves look like they’re dancing on their stems. A fun addition to any houseplant collection.

Alocasia Regal Shield with Terra Cotta Planter

Add this Alocasia Regal Shield to this wonderfully shaped vintage terra cotta planter from the Ukraine – what a great look! The shape of the planter sort of mimics the shape of the plant – compact on the bottom, fanning out at the top.

Homalocladium Platycladium Ribbon Plant with Green Glazed Rectangle Planter

A unique Ribbon Plant would be awesome in this retro green glazed planter. The ribbon plant is very unique. It’s odd shaped stems are similar to the shapes and design in the planter, making this a fun pair.

Portulacaria afra var, Spekboom Miracle Plant with White Scalloped Planter

This Spekboom Miracle Plant and white scalloped planter are a perfect pair! The plant has beautiful variegated leaves on dark stems. The white variegation is reflected in the planter. The upswept shape of the planter looks like it’s cradling the plant, so pretty.

Hoya Pubicalyx Speckled Splash with Green Textured Planter

A Hoya Pubicalyx Speckled Splash would look so cozy in this green textured planter. The raised areas of the planter coordinate well with the speckles on the plant leaves – a fun look with a bit of texture.

Dwarf Cavendish Banana Plant and White and Green Pedestal Planter

This Dwarf Cavendish Banana Plant is a perfect plant for this mid century white and green banana-shaped planter! Imagine how fun it would be to watch this plant grow in this fun shaped planter. They would make a nice addition to any indoor jungle.

Additional Notes:

• Pots in Pots – Many vintage planters are decorative and do not have a drainage hole, but this doesn’t mean you can’t use these planters! I recommend you keep the plant in the grower’s pot, then slip that pot into the vintage planter. This makes it easy to remove the grower’s pot for watering. Once the plant has been watered and allowed to drain, just tuck the grower’s pot back into the planter.
• Plant Directly into Planter – Plants can be planted directly into planters that have no drain holes – but you must be really be aware of how much water you give the plants! Most plants don’t like sitting in soggy soil, so adjusting the amount of water you add is critical to keeping a plant alive when the water cannot drain. Make sure to give the plant only as much water as it can absorb at one time, without water-logging the soil. You may have to water more frequently, using just a small amount of water at a time. This takes a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, your plants will thrive. Placing a layer of pebbles at the bottom of the planter before adding potting soil can also help give the water a place to drain to – away from the soil.
• Drill Holes – If you prefer, you could drill a hole into the bottom of the planter, then pot your plant directly into the planter. It’s best to tape off the area where you’re going to drill the hole to help prevent breakage. I recommend using a drill bit that is made for ceramic when drilling holes in ceramic planters.

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