How to Choose a Planter Basket for Indoor Plants
By Shaheen Arif · Published 2026-11-14
A woven basket turns a plain plastic nursery pot into something that looks at home in your living room. Before you buy one, check four things: size, liner, drainage and material.
1. Measure the pot, not the plant
Measure the rim of the pot your plant lives in now. The basket's inside opening should be at least an inch wider, so the pot slips in and lifts out easily. A basket of about 10 x 10 x 10 inches suits most 6 to 8 inch nursery pots, which covers common houseplants like pothos, snake plants and ferns.
Handmade Willow Wicker Planter Basket
Hand-woven willow, about 10 x 10 x 10 in, with a removable waterproof liner. Fits most 6 to 8 in nursery pots.
$29.99Price at last check · Amazon shows the live price
Buy on Amazon2. Insist on a waterproof liner
Natural fibers soak up water and can stain floors or furniture. A removable plastic liner catches drips and soil, and you can lift it out to rinse. If a basket has no liner, set a plant saucer inside it.
3. Keep drainage in the nursery pot
Most plants need water to drain away from their roots. The simplest setup is to leave the plant in its nursery pot (which has drainage holes) and use the basket as a cover. Water the pot in the sink, let it drain, then put it back.
4. Pick a material that suits the room
- Willow: sturdy, with a warm brown, rustic look. Good for farmhouse and boho rooms.
- Seagrass or jute: softer and lighter, in pale natural tones.
- Plastic or metal: fully waterproof but less natural looking.
Bonus: baskets are not just for plants
A lined basket also holds throw blankets, towels, magazines or toys, so it stays useful if you move the plant elsewhere.
Finish the corner
Hang botanical prints above the plant to tie the corner together. See our botanical wall art ideas for layouts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant directly into a wicker basket?
It is better not to. Keep the plant in its plastic nursery pot and set that inside the basket. That way extra water drains out of the pot and the basket stays dry.
What size basket do I need for a 6 inch pot?
Choose a basket with an inside opening at least an inch wider than the pot's rim, so the pot drops in easily and you can lift it out to water.
How do I water a plant that sits in a basket?
Lift the nursery pot out, water it in the sink, let it drain fully, then put it back. Tip out any water that collects in the liner.
Is willow better than seagrass or plastic?
Willow is sturdy and has a warm, rustic look. Seagrass is softer and lighter. Plastic is fully waterproof but looks less natural. A liner makes any natural basket work for plants.