Size Guide For Square, Trough & Oval Planters

How do we measure our plant pots & planters?

Planter sizes are shown as the Length x Width x Height.

This means the external dimensions of the planter at its longest and widest points x the height of the planter from the base to the rim.

We also provide the narrowest opening width of the planter to make it easier to choose plants and liners that will fit into the planter.

Please note all measurements are approximate and can vary slightly due to the handmade nature of our planters.

What is the Length, Width & Height?

The external dimensions of length, width and height are the outer measurements of the planter at their widest points. This gives you a sense of how large the planter is on the outside and how it will look and fit in your space.

What is the Opening?

The opening measurement is the narrowest internal width of the planter from side to side. It is the width of the access hole for inserting plants in a grow pot as well as an indication of the minimum size of waterproof liner needed.

How do I choose the correct sized planter?

Tip: If you plan to keep your plant in its original grow pot you’ll want to make sure that your grow pot diameter is smaller than the opening of your planter.

Check that the size of the grow pot will fit through the opening of your chosen planter.

We show the size of the opening for each planter as you click the different size options or hover over the size buttons.

Tip: If you are creating a display with a mix of plants in their grow pots e.g. in a trough or oval planter, check the opening to make sure the plants grow pots will fit in your layout at the narrowest point.

Tip: A useful rule of thumb for a balanced look and to avoid a planter that looks too small, is to aim for a combination where the height of the planter makes up approximately one third of the total height of the plant and planter when assembled, unless you're opting for a tall planter style or the plant’s growth habit is trailing or compact.

Tip: The height of the grow pot can vary slightly but is usually slightly smaller or the same as its diameter. Check your planter will be tall enough to hide the grow pot if you are not re-potting directly into the planter (with a liner).

Tip: If you are keeping the plant in it’s round grow pot. Use pebbles (hydrogranules are ideal) to fill any gaps and create a neat finish on top of your finished plant display.

Why should I use a planter liner?

Whether you want to place your plant in its original grow pot inside your planter or repot directly, we always advise the use of a waterproof liner.

Planters are generally not fully waterproof so adding a flexible waterproof liner inside the planter will protect floors and furnishings from spills and leaks as well as protecting the surface of your planter from a build-up of unsightly calcium or fertiliser deposits.

Liners come in various sizes and are "squashy" so they can be pushed through the opening to expand and fit closer to the planter wall once inside. They can also be trimmed down to size to create a hidden barrier below the rim of the pot.

Tip: Flexible waterproof sheet liners are available for larger square planters or rectangular troughs to ensure a close fit to the internal walls of the planter.

Tip: If you are repotting your plant into a liner, add a drainage layer on the bottom of the liner using hydrogranules (expanded clay pebbles). The roots above will gently pull the water out of the granules (capillary action) to keep themselves moist but not wet.

Tip: For taller square and trough planters fill the base with polystyrene foam or other packaging material that will not compress, up to the required height, then sit the liner on top with the re-potted plant in the liner.

Tip: When repotting, allow a little room for the roots to spread. The soil should not be so shallow that without drainage the roots will sit in water, nor so deep that the water drains below the roots leaving the plant to dry out.

Important: If you have chosen one of our HydroCare plants it must remain in its hydro grow pot and be placed inside a liner. The liner is essential to create the water reservoir at the base of the hydro grow pot.