Plants For Head Planters: Indoor Plants For Face Pots
We love the looks of head planters; they are both quirky and sculptural. With their popularity on the rise, you may be thinking about what plants for head planters work the best. This list covers 20 indoor plants that grow upright or trailing and would be well suited to grow in face pots.
If you have a plant growing in a 4-inch grow pot, it’s best to go up one pot size to a 6-inch pot. If you are planting in a pot with drainage holes, you want to be conservative with how much you are watering to help prevent root rot.
All the different plants listed have unique care needs, which we have included to help you choose which will grow best in your home.
Upright Plants For Head Planters
Sansevieria Hahnii Green Jade / Green Jade Snake Plant
Sansevieria Hahnii Green Jade, is one of the Bird’s Nest Snake Plants. Its compact size makes this small plant perfect for adding a touch of greenery to small spaces or tabletops. The deep green, sword-shaped leaves grow in a rosette pattern. This is one of our favorite plants because it’s low-maintenance and resilient.
- Growth Rate: Slowly to moderately indoors
- Light Requirements: Bright light with a moderate exposure
- Watering Needs: Low
Sansevieria Gold Star / Goold Star Snake Plant
Sansevieria Gold Star (another compact Bird’s Nest) has a unique and striking appearance. The leaves of Sansevieria Gold Star are a vibrant golden-yellow color. This eye-catching color adds a touch of brightness and would look great planted in a cute face planter. Snake plants have low water needs and would do best in a plant pot with drainage holes so the excess water can drain out.
- Growth Rate: Slowly to moderately indoor
- Light Requirements: Bright light with a moderate exposure
- Watering Needs: Low
Sansevieria Trifasciata
Snake Plants make great indoor plants because they handle dry air better than most houseplants and don’t need much attention. They look modern and edgy and are a great choice for beginning gardeners. This Sansevieria is one of the larger plants on the list and can have a growth rate of up to 4 feet, making it suitable for larger head pots.
- Growth Rate: Slowly to moderately indoors
- Light Requirements: Bright light with moderate exposure, can tolerate low light
- Watering Needs: Low
We’ve done many posts & videos on Snake Plants. Check out our general Snake Plant Care Guide for more info.
Haworthiopsis attenuata / Zebra Plant
Haworthias tend to stay on the compact side, and they are one of the best plants to grow indoors because of their minimal needs. They have thick leaves with distinct white stripes that resemble zebra stripes, hence their name. This plant is a great option if you are new to growing succulents and looking for a plant with little needs.
- Growth Rate: Slowly to moderately indoors
- Light Requirements: Bright natural light, keep them out of hot, sunny windows
- Watering Needs: Low
Many of the succulents can be grown indoors. Here are 13 Problems You May Be Having Growing Succulents Indoors.
Gasteria spp
Gasteria plants have thick, fleshy leaves with intricate patterns or spots. Gasterias are one of the more popular choices of plants for beginning gardeners. They don’t need much to thrive in your home and are a great way to introduce yourself to growing succulents. These plants stay small, so they’re great for a small head pot.
- Growth Rate: Slowly to moderately indoors
- Light Requirements: Bright natural light, keep them out of hot, sunny windows
- Watering Needs: Low
We picked out 21 of our favorite head planters; shop them now, Whimsical Face Planters To Showcase Your Plants.
Aloe barbadensis / Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a remarkable plant with numerous qualities that make it a great addition to any home or garden. The gel found within the fleshy leaves of the aloe vera plant has been used for centuries to soothe and heal various skin conditions.
If you are searching for outdoor head planters, Aloe vera is a plant that can be grown outdoors in some climate zones. In the garden, you want yours to get 2 or 3 hours of sun a day, and it will do its best to be protected from the hot afternoon sun.
- Growth Rate: Slowly to moderately indoors
- Light Requirements: Needs lots of bright, natural light to grow successfully indoors and for those leaves to get nice and plump
- Watering Needs: Low
We’ve done many posts and videos on Aloe Vera. Check out our Growing Aloe Vera Indoors Guide for lots more info.
Crassula argentea / Jade Plant
Jade Plants are wonderful for indoor gardening and would do well planted in head planter pots. They have thick, fleshy, oval-shaped leaves that grow in a bushy form. The most common Jade is solid green; a Variegated Jade Plant is pictured above.
As plant lovers, we can appreciate the ease of growing Jade Plants, and they are a perfect choice for someone looking for an easy-care indoor plant. If you have a larger Jade Plant, it will work well in this Buddha Head Planter, which is also suitable for outdoor use.
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Growing indoors, they need as much sun as you can give them, at least 6 hours. They aren’t suited for low light conditions.
- Watering Needs: Low
Are you looking for your succulents? We’ve got you covered! Classic Terra Cotta Pots, Tabletop Planters, Hanging Planters For Succulents, & Small Pots For Succulents
Peperomia argyreia / Watermelon Peperomia
If you’re looking for a plant that stays small, has gorgeous foliage, and is easy to maintain, look no further. With its unique look, this plant is a real attention grabber and would pair well with a beautiful head planter.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Light Requirements: Moderate bright light, can tolerate lower light
- Watering Needs: Medium
These are great houseplants. Check out our Watermelon Peperomia Care Guide here.
Peperomia caperata / Ripple Peperomia
We love the form, shape, and texture of this easy-care plant. As a tabletop plant, it doesn’t take up much room, so that you can squeeze it in almost everywhere. Its small size makes it a great gift for a fellow green thumb looking to add to their plant collection.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Light Requirements: Bright indirect light
- Watering Needs: Medium
We’ve done a Ripple Peperomia Care Guide and Peperomia obtusifolia & Peperomia Hope care guides.
Aglaonema spp / Chinese Evergreen
Are you a fan of houseplants with patterned leaves? Aglaonema’s are the epitome of fabulous foliage that ranges in various colors. They are easy on the eyes and one of the easiest maintenance houseplants out there. We can picture this plant being potted in a lady head planter, adding variety to your indoor plant collection.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Light Requirements: Ags with more color & brightness in their foliage need medium light to do their best. These can tolerate high light but keep them away from windows with the strong sun coming in, or they’ll burn in no time flat. Aglaonema Maria (pictured above) tolerates lower light levels.
- Watering Needs: Medium
We’ve done a general Chinese Evergreen Care Guide, along with Pink Aglaonema & Red Aglaonema care guides.
Philodendron Imperial Red
This beauty has large leathery leaves loaded with shine. It grows tight to the center with a single base and is a type of self-heading philodendron. We love the deep red stems.
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight with moderate or medium light exposure.
- Watering Needs: Medium
Interested in more? Here’s more on Philodendron Imperial Red Care for you.
Trailing Plants For Head Planters
Senecio rowleyanus / String of Pearls
String Of Pearls is a fascinating hanging succulent. The long, thin stems full of beads give this plant a fun, boho feel. Its unique look makes it a great conversation starter, as few people have seen such a neat-looking plant. It is a more difficult plant to grow and requires the right amount of light and water to thrive.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast grower in bright light
- Light Requirements: The light needs to be as bright as possible. It grows best in indirect light, protected from the sun’s direct rays. Also, you don’t want your String Of Pearls to be up against hot glass.
- Watering Needs: Low
We’ve done many posts & videos on the String Of Pearls Plant. This post on 10 Problems You May Have Growing String Of Pearls Indoors will help you.
Hoya carnosa Rubra / Wax Plant
The “rubra” variety of Hoya carnosa has thick, waxy leaves that are typically deep green with striking reddish-maroon veining and edges. If you have enough light in your living room, this plant will look great in a head pot on a shelf so it can trail down. There are many other Hoyas to choose from!
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Bright light but no direct sun.
- Watering Needs: Medium
Hoyas are easy to grow indoors & make great houseplants. Check out our posts on Growing Hoyas indoors & outdoors.
Pothos N’ Joy
Pothos N’Joy has stunning variegated leaves and trails as it grows. It needs more light than a Golden Pothos or Jade Pothos because it is highly variegated. This plant would look cute planted in a doll head planter.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Light Requirements: Moderate (this one needs bright natural light to keep the variegation)
- Watering Needs: Medium
This guide to Pothos Care gives you more details on growing these popular plants.
Golden Pothos
Pothos are one of the most popular houseplants. Besides being easy to maintain, they’re easy to find as many big box stores and local nurseries sell them. You can buy a beautiful trailing Pothos in a 6″ pot with long stems for around $20.00. Pothos vines will add a lush tropical vibe to your home.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Light Requirements: Moderate light (bright natural light)
- Watering Needs: Medium
We’ve Answered Your Questions On Growing Pothos right here.
Crassula perforata / String Of Buttons
String Of Buttons is a succulent with square or triangle-shaped leaves that create a spiral shape around the plant’s stem to give it a stacked appearance. Because it’s a succulent, you will want to plant it in a head planter with good drainage.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Light Requirements: Bright natural light
- Watering Needs: Low
Does your planter not have a drain hole? We’ve got a post for you on Planting & Caring For Succulents In Pots Without Drainage Holes.
Chlorophytum comosum / Spider Plant
Spider Plants are one of the easiest indoor plants to care for, so they’re perfect for newbie plant enthusiasts. They’re tolerant of a wide range of conditions and are adaptable and durable as can be. The babies spray out on long stems; you can find this plant solid or variegated. This fun plant will pair perfectly with a unique planter.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light is their sweet spot; they tolerate lower light conditions.
- Watering Needs: Low
Read lots more on Spider Plant Care here.
Hatiora gaertneri / Schlumergera truncata Easter Cactus / (False) Christmas Cactus
Easter Cactus and Christmas Cactus produce beautiful blooms around the holiday season that they are named after. The beauty of the plants doesn’t end after their blooming cycle ends. They can be grown year-round and, with the right care and enough light, will put off amazing displays of flowers every year.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Light Requirements: Bright, natural light; a medium to high light exposure
- Watering Needs: Low
Don’t get rid of these plants after the holidays. They make long-lasting houseplants. Read about Growing Easter Cactus & Christmas Cactus Care.
Rhipsalis baccifera / Mistletoe Cactus
The mistletoe cactus is a tropical epiphytic succulent with pencil-thin stems that cascade as they mature. With its cascading growth, it would look great being planted in a ceramic head planter, giving it the look of hair growing out of the head of the planter. This is a good choice of a plant if you want a funky, trailing look.
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Light Requirements: Bright, natural light; a medium to high light exposure
- Watering Needs: Low
Are you looking for containers & ways to display your houseplants? We’ve got you covered! Classic Terra Cotta Pots, Tabletop Planters, Pots & Planters, Hanging Planters, Baskets For Large Plants, Air Plant Displays, & Multi-Tier Plant Stands.
Sedum morganianum / Donkey Tail
Donkey Tail, also known as Burro’s Tail, is a trailing succulent and an excellent addition to any home as a houseplant if you have bright natural light and don’t water it too often. It’s such a beautiful and versatile plant that it can go in a large pot with other beautiful succulents or be showcased on its own. Plus, it’s a grey-green color uncommon in the houseplant world.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Light Requirements: Bright, natural light; a medium to high light exposure
- Watering Needs: Low
Interested in more on this plant? Check out this post on Burro’s Tail Care, indoors & outdoors.
Tillandsia spp / Air Plants
We included Air Plants as a bonus in this round-up of plants for head planters. They have more of an upright growth habit and can still be placed in a small face planter. Air Plants, in their natural environments, grow attached to other plants. When growing in our homes, they don’t need soil, but do need to be sprayed or soaked to keep them from drying out.
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light is best. Ensure your air plants don’t get any hot, direct sun or aren’t in low light.
- Watering Needs: It’s best to spray or soak your air plants 1-2 times a week
We have several posts on Air Plants for you to check out.
We hope this made your plant selection easier, and you can bring some added whimsy to your decor with a head planter. Now that you have chosen a plant check out our 21 Favorite Face Pots that you can buy online.
Happy gardening,
-Cassie
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
