Houseplants improve air quality, reduce stress and are a great way to bring the outdoors inside. Indoor plant stands are a great way to gather your houseplants from countertops and end tables and put them in the place where they get just the right amount of light, are easy to take care of and pleasing to look at.
This guide will help you choose an indoor plant stand by showing you the things to look for when shopping. It also has a section that offers a few recommendations, including the elegant, three-tiered Novogratz Athena Marble Plant Stand.
What to know before you buy an indoor plant stand
Indoor plant stands bring organization and style to your home. Here are three considerations to make before making a purchase.
How many plants can fit on an indoor plant stand?
The more plants you want to display, the bigger the plant stand you will need. No two plant stands are the same, so find one with enough vertical and horizontal space to house all your plants.
What size plants can an indoor plant stand hold?
You may have a few large houseplants, a lot of small ones or some of both. Plants with small footprints need less space than large ones. Look for an indoor plant stand with shelves or tabletop space wide enough and deep enough to hold your widest plants.
Your taller plants need more headroom, so look for an indoor plant stand with the right amount of vertical space between shelves. Always shop with your tallest, widest plants in mind.
How much weight can an indoor plant stand hold?
When choosing an indoor plant stand, it is easy to forget to include the weight of your pots, saucers and drip trays. Savvy homeowners weigh their potted plants on a bathroom scale so they know the total weight that their plant stand needs to support safely and securely. Many shelves do not list their load ratings, so if you have a lot of large, heavy plants, be sure to consider only those that tell you how much weight they can support.
Indoor plant stand features
What materials do indoor plant stands come in?
Most indoor plant stands are made from wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of two or more of these. Many indoor plant stands are made of wood that provides a natural look and feel that nicely complements your greenery. Plant stands made of metal can be rustic or modern. Other surface finishes include real marble, faux marble, plastics and metals.
Wooden plant stands may be made from solid natural wood or less-sturdy manufactured wood like particleboard. They may be made of hardwoods such as oak, or softer and lighter woods like bamboo. Wooden plant stands should be made of wood that has been treated to resist water.
Metal plant stands are more durable than wooden stands and will last longer because they are made of iron, steel or aluminum. Look for powder-coating on metal stands to protect them from moisture and prevent rusting.
Plastic plant stands are inexpensive and light in weight, but are also less durable and often have a cheap, flimsy look.
Indoor plant stand designs
Two design considerations that are often overlooked are safety and security. Choose only indoor plant stands with wide, stable bases so your plant stand does not tip over. The taller your plant stand, the more important this is. Also, look for shelves that are sturdy so you don’t end up with broken pots, spilled soil and damaged plants.
Indoor plant stands come in different styles, too, and can be farmhouse, futuristic or anywhere in between. Some plant stands are ornate while others are spartan and minimalist. Plant lovers prefer indoor stands that complement their home’s decor.
Indoor plant stand shapes
There are three basic shapes of indoor plant stands.
Horizontal stands that go against a wall or in front of a window take up the most floor space but also tend to have the most storage space.
Vertical plant stands, or towers, take up the least amount of floor space and are good choices for smaller spaces.
Stands designed as end tables will hold only a few plants.
Indoor plant stand cost
Stands that hold only one or two plants typically cost less than $25. Stands that cost between $25 and $40 are bigger, more durable and tend to have more than one tier. The $40-$100 range is where you will find large multi-tiered wooden stands and elaborately designed metal ones. Stands costing more than $100 tend to be highly decorative.
Indoor plant stand FAQ
Can I use an indoor plant stand outside, too?
A. Yes and no. Yes, if your indoor stand is waterproof and your location is under a roof or canopy. No, if your stand is completely outside because indoor stands are not engineered for exposure to the elements. Even if they’re waterproof, indoor stands are not made to stand up to direct sun, UV rays and winds that can easily topple them over.
Do these stands come assembled?
A. Usually not, because indoor plant stands need to fit in flat packs so manufacturers can keep shipping costs down. Assembling them is usually relatively easy and done with a few bolts you tighten with a hex wrench or a few screws that only require a screwdriver. Before assembling, open all packages and lay the contents out neatly so you can check what you have against what the instructions say should be included.
Which indoor plant stand should I get?
Best of the best indoor plant stand
Novogratz Athena Black or White Marble Plant Stand: available at Home Depot, Wayfair and Amazon
Our take: A mix of glam and retro styles gives this 3-tiered shelf a unique look.
What we like: The faux-black marble finish will not warp or peel if it gets wet. Each part of the stand holds plants weighing up to 4 pounds.
What we dislike: The minimalist design in the legs means that this stand can’t hold much weight.
Best bang for your buck indoor plant stand
Copree Bamboo 6-Tier Vertical Plant Stand: available at Amazon
Our take: This 48-inch vertical stand has a sturdy base and the shelves are height-adjustable to display as many as seven medium-sized potted plants.
What we like: Each shelf safely holds 20 pounds. 100%-natural bamboo is healthy for your plants and eco-friendly. All the bamboo shelves and uprights have been treated for protection against moisture and insects.
What we dislike: Although this product is resistant to moisture, it should never be used outdoors.
Honorable mention indoor plant stand
SONGMICS Customizable Bamboo 9-Tier Plant Stand: available at Amazon
Our take: Nine tiers provide enough space for dozens of potted plants at once.
What we like: The design of this product allows you to customize your plant stand the way you like it. The 100%-natural bamboo wood has a smooth finish, rounded corners and countersunk screws to protect your family and pets from being scratched if they brush up against it. As a bonus, this plant stand can also be used to display other decorative items, such as sculptures, knick-knacks and trinkets.
What we dislike: The assembled stand looks great, but there are a lot of pieces so it can be a bit tricky to assemble.
David Allan Van is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
