8 great value, plus-size plant pots that will sell out before summer

Call me a late bloomer: up until last year, I hadn’t pruned, potted or planted a single living thing in my garden. And my biggest rookie gardening error of 2025? Waiting until June to shop for a big plant pot. As it turns out, once summer reaches the UK, tracking down a plus-size outdoor plant pot is near impossible. To this day, my glorious acer is still slumming it in a very unglamorous plastic tub.

Lesson learned. Right now – early in the season – is the prime window for plant pot shopping, and I’m determined to upgrade my acer to a penthouse suite this month.

The other thing to know about outdoor plant pots? They can be eye-wateringly expensive. But I’ve dug into every corner of the internet for the best-looking options at my price point – and tapped up the experts to make sure I invest in the right one.

What’s the advantage of planting in pots?

In my garden, pots provide colour and style while we save up for a full overhaul. They are also a great option for balcony gardens or a rental property, where flexibility is key.

But there’s another compelling reason to use pots, as Mark Sage, head of horticulture at B&Q points out: ‘Planting in pots is perfect for our unpredictable UK climate, as it offers plants shelter from harsh weather, and also means they can be moved to warmer, covered spots when needed.’

What’s the best colour and material for an outdoor plant pot?

Terracotta is the blue jeans of plant pots – it never dates and always strikes just the right tone, whether you’re after a cottage garden look or a sleek urban retreat. Lisa Jones, editorial design manager at Dunelm, explains why it’s an enduring choice: ‘Clay and terracotta tones have a timeless appeal because they are deeply rooted in nature. These warm, earthy shades mirror the colours of soil and sun-baked landscapes allow greenery to really stand out and sit effortlessly within any outdoor setting.’

And it’s not just about looks, says Mark from B&Q: ‘Especially in the warmer months, terracotta provides excellent drainage due to its porous clay material. This prevents root rot and overwatering, by allowing air and moisture to move through the walls.’ If you decide not to opt for terracotta though, galvanised steel is a brilliant and sturdy choice for our variable weather.

I've gathered my edit of gorgeous pots that deliver on both style and value below, and here's my final verdict: you simply can’t go wrong with Dunelm’s plant pot duo, which offers outstanding value wrapped up in one very cute package. But if your gardening taste veers towards high-impact design, we’d recommend H&M Home’s metallic plant pot, or if you’re planting alpine or succulent plants, you’ll want to shop Crocus’s shallow bowl-style.

Whatever you fancy, learn from my mistake – and order them sooner rather than later!