45 Nice-Looking Things to Put Plants on (Including Some Actual Plant Stands)

45 items in this article
16 items on sale!

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Traditional plant stands seem to come in two styles: those mid-century-modern ones that stay low to the ground and fit just one big pot, and the more bookshelf-style bamboo units with a few shelves that can hold a bunch of smaller plants. Both styles can be good-looking and super-functional, but they’re also a bit limiting. Thankfully, a plant stand can really be any object you can place a plant on, and one sweep of the internet will reveal that you can put plants on lots of things.

If you have a medium-size plant teetering off the edge of your windowsill, why not put it on top of a stool instead, or a bar cart, or floating shelves? If you’re a bit of a plant hoarder, with every square inch of floor and table surfaces covered, you can use rolling utility carts, shoe benches, or bookcases to better organize your collection. No matter what kind of “stand” you choose, though, you’ll want something that has an open design to let in light and that can support a decent amount of weight and hold up to the occasional water spill. Below, we rounded up some plant stands we like — along with a few bookshelves, end tables, step stools, art-supply carts, wooden crates, and more things you can also definitely put plants on.

Actual plant stands

unho 6-Tier Corner Plant Stand

$60

$60

Sometimes there’s only one corner that gets just the right amount of light. Or maybe a tight corner has the only floor space you can spare. Either way, this smartly designed plant stand lets you use your free corner space as plant storage. And with six shelves, all at different heights, you can experiment with various arrangements.

$60

at Amazon

Buy

$60

at Amazon

Buy

Pedestals that could be plant stands

Utility carts that could be plant stands

Stools that could be plant stands

Dip-Dyed Stools

$88

These stools come in two different heights so you can stagger your plant display. The 19-inch version is great if you have a succulent like string of pearls that you don’t want dragging on the floor.

$88

at Serena & Lily

Buy

Mila Scallop Ceramic Stool

$249

$249

This ceramic stool is particularly efficient for those who have limited patio space and live in a harsh climate. It’s compact so you can easily bring it indoors during the winter, though the matte finish is designed to withstand the elements.

$249

at Urban Outfitters

Buy

Fluted Stool

From
$199

From
$199

If you’re partial to a traditional terra-cotta look, this molded and hand-glazed ceramic side table would not look out of place in a garden shop. Like the option above, it will transition seamlessly from indoors to outdoors.

From
$199

at West Elm

Buy

Sorfey Premium 2 Step Modern Bamboo Ladder

$115

$115

This stepladder is almost too nice for everyday chores, but perfect for a plant stand. Set up in a corner, it becomes the room’s new focal point. We think a vine-y plant like a philodendron would feel right at home on top with its leaves wrapped around the upper handle.

$115

at Amazon

Buy

$115

at Amazon

Buy

End tables that could be plant stands

Linsy Home Console Table for Entryway

$110

$120

now 8% off

$110

Although it’s a bit bigger than an end table, a console table like this will provide tons of space for your collection of succulents. Each of the four shelves is nearly a foot deep, so there is plenty of room for plants of all sizes. Anything with some height will have to go on top, but between the shelves you still get nearly a foot of vertical space. And don’t worry about how heavy that monstera is, because each shelf can hold 51 pounds.

$110

at Amazon

Buy

$110

at Amazon

Buy

Storage units that could be plant stands

Honey-Can-Do Storage Shelving, 5-Tie

$84

$125

now 33% off

$84

With strictly function in mind, this metal shelving unit has a lot to offer. It has five shelves, each of which can hold 200 pounds. The entire unit is 72 inches tall, but the space between the shelves is adjustable, so you can make it work for a variety of plants. And while it’s not a looker on its own, covered in lush greens it definitely won’t be an eyesore.

$84

at Amazon

Buy

$84

at Amazon

Buy

SONGMICS Bamboo Shoe Bench and Storage Rack

$72

$72

Shoe benches can make good plant stands. This one is designed to support a seated person, so it should be sturdy enough for even the heaviest pots. At 44.1 inches long and 17.7 inches high, it’s wide and low, so you could put a taller plant on the shorter shelf and a few medium-size plants along the top and still use the bottom shelves to store your shoes or other stuff.

$72

at Amazon

Buy

$72

at Amazon

Buy

More things that could be plant stands

BAYKA Floating Shelves

$27

$36

now 25% off

$27

When you run out of floor space or your windowsill is at full capacity, a hanging shelf is a great alternative. This set of three will make for an interesting greenscape on your new garden wall.

$27

at Amazon

Buy

$27

at Amazon

Buy

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