Just got some new houseplants and I was wondering if anyone knew of a place that sells inexpensive decorative pots? These won't be for actually planting in, just for setting my plants in so I don't have to look at the black plastic nursery pots they came in.

At Lowe's and other places I checked out, their medium sized decorative pots were like 30, 40, 50 bucks a piece. Seems weird to spend 5 times the cost of the plant for a pot.

Check out Goodwill!

Pistil said:Check out Goodwill!

I agree, and don't forget yard/garage sales as well as local thrift stores!

But don't just consider standard decorative pots made strictly for plants ... any decorative container makes for a pretty cache pot. I've been known to use lots of things for large and small plant pots; bowls, glass vases, coffee mugs ... anything is fair game to me if it will hold a plant! Just be sure to not allow standing water to remain in the cache pot after watering your plants. Here are a couple that I currently have in use:

Kitchen utensil holder that I got on sale at Walmart and a red bowl from a thrift store:


Years ago I was visiting my sister in North Gerogia and we went shopping at some little country stores and antique shops. When checking out at one of the stores, this green glass jar was sitting at the counter full of candy. I liked it and asked the clerk if they'd sell me the container (minus the candy ) I paid $2 bucks for it and used it over the years as a candy dish until the rim got chipped ...then I stuck a plant in it.

Excellent, Lin!

Baskets can also make good cache pots. I also remember my Mom using an umbrella stand as a holder/pedestal at some point in the past.

I've kept old plastic pots fresh with metallic spray paint. Copper or hammered bronze. A pale aqua blue color also looked very nice next to the copper.
Marhsalls and TJ Maxx here sell some pots.

I get a bit obsessive finding just the right size and color cache pot, for a given plant.

Coffee Mug with a little plant sitting in it.

Thank you guys for all the great ideas.

I knew people who had been doing this for longer than me would have some good suggestions.

Now to look through some coffee mugs...

A lot of people here have said they bought a plant on clearance just to get the pot.

sallyg said:A lot of people here have said they bought a plant on clearance just to get the pot.

LOL, I must admit that I've done it a few times over the years.

I am going to get a couple Halloween cauldrons after the holiday for dirt cheap, and drill a few large holes. Not sure if it will need a new color or not, but I do think it will be a cute pot. I have bought beach sand buckets that way, too.

I've bought some really beautiful ones from local Thrift Stores

Those little "junky" stores by the side of the road in remote areas are a magnet for me. Treasures can be found if you're willing to dig through all the piles. I rescue old tea kettles and coffee pots; they're perfect for displaying succulents.





Little metal chairs make great plant stands.





I'm also guilty of picking up discards.....



One man's trash....

to all. Subtle containers that still accentuate the plants growing in them.

@plantladylin, what is the plant in your ATP mug?

There's also the "cement towel" or "cement lace" etc... home-made planter.
https://garden.org/thread/go/2...

Hypertufa. - too much to even try to scratch the surface with 1 link.

If the discussion goes beyond cache pots, into repurposing items as pots, the possibilities are nearly infinite. A discussion about not-a-pot pots in container forum:
https://garden.org/thread/go/6...

plantmanager said: @plantladylin, what is the plant in your ATP mug?

It's Gasteria 'Little Warty'

Thanks, lin. It's a cutie. It's now on my want list.

goodwill, salvation army stores in the kitchen area, pots, fiesta ware, things of that nature. sometimes a complete bust, other times a boon.

I agree, Paul. Sometimes we can find some great things, but other times I go home empty handed.
We also have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It's like another thrift store. They also have used building supplies, including lots of windows for people wanting to build greenhouses.

ReStore had several things I wanted for plants, I don't think people go there for dishes and small pots as much as they often go to goodwill, etc. Ours is located in an industrial park. (The only reason I didn't buy was I was already cleaning out MIL's apartment and just couldn't pick up anything.)