Ares Mediterranean Planter - Sahara Sand

How do we measure our planters?

Planter sizes are shown as the external diameter x the height of the planter.

This means the outside width of the planter at its widest point x the height of the planter from the base to the rim.

We also provide the opening 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 External Diameter?

The external diameter measures the outside width of the planter at its widest point. This gives you a sense of how large the planter is on the outside and how it will look and fit in your space.

Tip: Planters that have a rounder shape can have an external diameter that is significantly wider than their opening. Always check the opening measurement to make sure your plant will fit through the opening in its grow pot.

What is the Opening?

The opening measurement is not the same as the external diameter. it is the size of the access hole for inserting the plant's grow pot as well as an indication of the minimum size of waterproof liner needed.

Tip: Waterproof liners are “squashy,” for rounder shaped pots you can squeeze the liner through the opening for it to expand inside the pot, giving a closer fit to the internal walls and providing better protection.

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: A useful rule of thumb for a tall balanced look is to aim for a combination where the height of the planter makes up approximately half of the total height of the plant and planter when assembled, unless you're opting for plants with a trailing or compact growth habit.

Tip: Instead of filling the entire planter with soil, fill the base with polystyrene foam or other packaging material that will not compress, up to the required height, then sit a waterproof planter liner on top with the re-potted plant in the liner.

This will make the planter lighter and ensure that the plant’s root system is surrounded with correct moisture levels rather than water levels draining to the bottom of the planter beyond the roots.

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 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 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.