Best Plants for Head Planters UK

Q: Should I use real or artificial plants in a head planter?

Either can work. Real plants give natural movement, while artificial stems are useful in dark corners or places that are hard to water.

Ripleys Nest · plant pot guide

The easiest head planter styling trick is to treat the plant like hair or a crown. Trailing plants soften the face. Upright plants add height. Compact plants keep the sculpture crisp.

Quick answer

For most head planters, start with a small trailing plant if you want a soft, living-hair look. Choose an upright plant if the pot will sit on the floor, a plinth, or a wide shelf where extra height makes sense.

Always check the plant's nursery pot size against the planter opening before ordering. If you are using a cache-pot setup, keep the plant in its own inner pot so watering is easier to manage.

Shop head planters

Simple rule: trailing for movement, upright for drama, compact for a tidy sculptural look.

What works best

Plant style	Good for	Why it works
Trailing plants	High shelves, sideboards, mantlepieces	They fall around the face and make the planter feel softer.
Upright plants	Floor stands, plinths, clear corners	They add height and make the bust feel more sculptural.
Compact plants	Desks, windowsills, narrow shelves	They keep the planter shape visible and tidy.
Artificial stems	Low-light rooms or awkward spots	They give the look without worrying about watering or light.

Plant ideas by look

For a soft trailing look

Try pothos, trailing ivy, string of hearts, or a small trailing fern. These suit head planters because they break up the edge of the pot and give movement around the sculpture.

For a taller statement

Try a small snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, or upright fern. These work when the planter has room around it and the plant can rise above the head shape.

For a clean sculptural look

Try a compact peperomia, small fittonia, small fern, or artificial foliage. This keeps the face, finish, and silhouette easy to see.

Water carefully and lift the inner pot out where you can. That helps protect the planter surface and keeps the plant easier to care for.

How to plant a head planter

Choose the plant and its position together. Compare the plant's nursery pot with the planter opening and usable interior space: the sculpture's overall height does not tell you whether that pot will fit.

Choose the spot. Match the plant to the available light and leave room for growth. Trailing foliage can frame the face on a high shelf; a compact plant keeps the features visible on a table.
Check the pot. Read the particular planter's drainage and care details. For a decorative outer-pot arrangement, use a nursery pot with drainage inside and check that both fit comfortably. Do not assume every design has a drainage hole.
Water away from the display. Lift the inner pot out where practical, water for that plant's needs and let excess water drain before returning it. Do not leave it standing in collected water, and protect the surface below.
Check the balance. Use a level surface away from edges. Leave room for the foliage rather than crowding the opening.

Succulents in a face pot

A compact succulent can give a face pot a crown-like silhouette. Choose the variety for the light you have, use a draining inner pot that fits and a suitable free-draining compost. Follow that plant's care advice: succulents differ in their light, water and winter needs. Check the variety before choosing an outdoor position.

For plant care, see the RHS guide to growing plants in containers and RHS succulent growing guide. Compare the opening and care details in our head and face planters.

Head planters to style

Choose a head planter you enjoy looking at, then compare its opening, size and care details before choosing a plant.

Cast Stone Woman Planter | Black Woman Head Planter See options and current prices

Gold Face Plant Pot | Golden Tears Bust Planter See options and current prices

Spiral face plant pot with trailing greenery

Spiral Face Plant Pot | African Head Planter See options and current prices

Art Deco face plant pot with gold crown and greenery

Art Deco Face Plant Pot | Gold Head Planter See options and current prices

Teal face plant pot with gold wave crown

Teal Face Plant Pot | African Head Planter See options and current prices

Questions people usually ask

Should I use real or artificial plants in a head planter?

Either can work. Real plants give the best natural movement, but artificial stems are useful in dark corners or places that are hard to water.

What plant gives the best hair effect?

A trailing plant usually gives the strongest hair effect. Pothos, trailing ivy and string of hearts are common choices for that look.

Do head planters need drainage?

Check the individual product option before ordering. If you are unsure, a nursery pot inside the planter is the simplest setup.

What should I check before buying?

Check the planter opening, the nursery pot size, the room light, and where the leaves will fall. A plant that looks right in the space matters more than choosing the trendiest variety.