Cacti cannot tolerate being wet. The best pots for cactus lovers will be shallow, have proper drainage holes, be a material that rids the dirt of water while adding air, and be an appropriate size.
Many different styles are available, giving you plenty of ways to find a balance between a pot that looks great and works well for planting cactus specimens. Cactus plants are best planted upright in ceramic or clay shallow pots. My favorite way to display cactus plants is a classic round pot on a wood tray in soothing colors. But for the outdoors, I love the appeal of terra cotta pots.
Check out the reviews on my nine favorite pots for succulents. I’ve also provided a useful shopper’s guide afterward to help you find the right pot for your cactus plants.
- Best Overall – Round Large Succulent Planter
- Best Multi-Pack – 3-Pack of Sleek Modern Cactus Planters
- Best for Function – Traditional Neutral Natural Terra Cotta Pot
- Best for Aesthetics – Pretty Pastel Cylindrical 3-Piece Pottery
- Best Boho Blend – 2-Pack Striped Planter with Ribbed Rim
- Best for Multiple Cacti – 2-Pack Rectangular Ceramic Planters
- Best Cool Design – 2-Pack Mid-Century Modern Indented Planters
- Best Raised Pot – Slim Elevated Round Planter on Wood Stand
- Best for Starter Cacti – 3-Pack Stone-Imitation Ceramic Planters
Best Overall – Round Large Succulent Planter
Highlights
This colorful cactus in a pot offers a simple bowl shape with a single drainage hole. The smooth ceramic material comes in four neutral colors with a bamboo collection tray underneath.
The inner dimensions of the porcelain 5-in x 5-in x 3.5-in pot (8-in x 8-in x 6-in) support smaller succulents in indoor or outdoor settings.
Key Features
- Size: 6″
- Material: porcelain
- Number of pots: single
- Color: blue, white, pink, black
- Drainage hole: yes
- Water tray included: yes
Who’s This Best for?
This understated round short vase in soothing colors can be an excellent choice for people looking to display their smaller cactus in an understated design for offices, bedrooms, and dens.
Best Multi-Pack – 3-Pack of Sleek Modern Cactus Planters
Highlights
This three-pack of small cactus pots has a modern silhouette that tapers from the base to a wider neck for a sleek minimalistic look. The neutral colors of white, gray, and beige can go with any decor scheme.
Every 4″ pot has a central drainage hole and comes with saucers for mess-free watering. The ceramic material offers durability and moisture wicking to prevent waterlogged cactus plants.
Key Features
- Size: 4 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Number of pots: 3
- Color: white, oatmeal, gray
- Drainage hole: yes
Who’s This Best for?
This set of three minimalistic modern ceramic 4″ pots in three neutral colors makes the perfect choice for growing various cactus plants and succulents. The durable, moisture-reducing pots will look great indoors displayed in your living room, dining room, or bedroom or when used for outdoor decor in any theme.
Best for Function – Traditional Neutral Natural Terra Cotta Pot
Highlights
If you’re more interested in function over style, terra cotta planters make a viable and effective cactus pot option. This simple two- or 3.5-inch tall pot is natural terracotta orange.
The porous nature of the baked clay material allows for excellent drainage to keep cactus plants dry. And if the cooked earthy dirt color doesn’t appeal to you, this material is easy to paint for a custom look.
Key Features
- Size: 2-in or 3.5″
- Material: terra cotta
- Number of pots: single
- Color: natural orange
- Drainage hole: yes
- Water tray included: optional
Who’s This Best for?
Terra cotta potters are fantastic to use for growing cactus plants. They’re among the best due to being porous and able to remove water while adding air to the soil to keep the roots dry. This basic terracotta pot is right for you if you like the earthy natural look or the Southwestern style appeals to you.
Over the last decade, I’ve acquired over a dozen scattered around my house; all painted in fun designs by my kids. They can last for a long time when cared for properly. But take it from my personal experience – don’t put them in the bathroom or kitchen where there’s a lot of humidity.
Best for Aesthetics – Pretty Pastel Cylindrical 3-Piece Pottery
Highlights
This three-pack of cylindrical ceramic pottery planters will proudly display your cacti in pretty pastel shades. The smooth straight sides offer a clean profile that works from casual to modern.
Drainage holes make the pots ideal for growing succulents. And the ceramic material makes it durable and used for indoor and outdoor decor. And you can get this three-pack set in two sizes – small or large.
Key Features
- Size: small (2.25-in wide x 2.25-in tall) or large (3-in tall x 3-inch wide)
- Material: Ceramic
- Number of pots: three
- Color: pastel coral, baby blue, white
- Drainage hole: yes
- Water tray included: no
Who’s This Best for?
This lovely set of three cylindrical vases in light soft colors offers a delicate nuance that accents the hues of small succulent cactus plants. It makes for elegant centerpieces for tables, desks, and patios.
Best Boho Blend – 2-Pack Striped Planter with Ribbed Rim
Highlights
This set of two ceramic flower pots proudly displays cacti plants in a beautiful yellow and green glazed exterior. Single drainage holes at the bottom make these vases appropriate for growing cactus plants.
At 5″ tall, 2.7″ wide, and with a 4.3″ wide ruffled rim, these ribbed vases make an excellent visual accent for tables, desks, porches, or bedroom decor.
Key Features
- Size: 5″
- Material: glazed ceramic
- Number of pots: two
- Color: multicolored
- Drainage hole: yes
- Drainage tray: no
Who’s This Best for?
This pack of two multicolored ceramic vases offers an interesting visual appeal that can add texture and dimension to your area. The large size makes it excellent if you grow a few small cacti plants together or one medium-sized cactus plant solo.
Best for Multiple Cacti- 2-Pack Rectangular Ceramic Planters
Highlights
This set of ceramic planters for succulents gives you a different way to display your cacti plants. The 11.3-in x 2.5-in white ceramic planters are perfect for growing several plants simultaneously.
Built-in drainage holes keep your plants dry, and classic bamboo trays add a modern aesthetic to traditional white planters. The trays also keep things tidy and control the heat the pots absorb when used outside. Each tray can hold multiple small cactus plants at once.
Key Features
- Size: 11.3-in x 2.5-in
- Material: glazed ceramic
- Number of pots: two
- Color: white
- Drainage hole: yes
- Drainage tray: yes
Who’s This Best for?
This two-piece planter set is the perfect solution for gardeners interested in growing multiple cactus plants at once. The simple neutral white finish and bamboo saucer can fit into any room scheme, and the versatile use indoors or outdoors makes it a great choice for all home areas.
Best Cool Design – 2-Pack Mid-Century Modern Indented Planters
Highlights
This retro set of two planters in black and white creates a unique hourglass aesthetic for growing your cactus plants. The curved 4″ ceramic has a ribbed lower portion that offers a stable grip.
A single central drainage hole keeps your plants from drowning. And the flat base rests securely on any surface – elevated or floor-level – indoors or out.
Key Features
- Size: 3.74-in x 3.74-in x 3.74-in
- Material: glazed ceramic
- Number of pots: two
- Color: white and black
- Drainage hole: yes
- Drainage tray: yes
Who’s This Best for?
These understated retro cactus pots can be an easy way to incorporate a black-and-white palette into your environment. The ribbed bottoms make it easy to hold the pots without slipping, making them an excellent choice for plants you’ll frequently move around or bring indoors and outside.
Best Raised Pot – Slim Elevated Round Planter on Wood Stand
Highlights
This Boho-inspired cactus planter offers an incredible understated aesthetic perfect for a touch of zen. At 10-inches wide, you can create an entire cacti garden using several species of succulents.
The shallow 2.5″ depth of the white ceramic planter with a drainage hole is excellent for the small roots of cactus plants. And the simple 11-in D x 4-in H of the wood stand adds a mid-century vibe that blends with any interior.
Key Features
- Size: 10-in W x 2.5″ D (4-in H x 11-in D with stand)
- Material: Ceramic
- Number of pots: one
- Color: white
- Drainage hole: yes
- Drainage tray: no
Who’s This Best for?
This elevated round white ceramic pot on a wide wood stand is the perfect addition to any indoor garden where you want to grow multiple species of cactus plants in the same pot.
Best for Starter Cacti – 3-Pack Stone-Imitation Ceramic Planters
Highlights
This three-pack of ceramic planters can display your baby succulents as if they naturally grow in the wild – protruding from rocks. The realistic paint job means you can use these vases indoors for windows, fish tanks, or to dress up tables. And they also look stunning when placed outside.
The small size makes it great for helping several specimens of starter cacti get established. But they’re not permanent homes for many succulents, which will need transplanting into bigger pots as they grow.
Key Features
- Size: 2 ½-in W x 2 ½-in H x 5 ¼-in L
- Material: Ceramic
- Number of pots: three
- Color: imitation rock
- Drainage hole: yes
- Drainage tray: no
Who’s This Best for?
The small size makes this set an excellent way to start growing baby cacti in pots so they can establish healthy roots. But it’s better for use as a starter pot than for long-term cacti growing.
Criteria for a Proper Cactus Pot
When shopping for the best pots for cactus plants, there are several factors to consider. The unique needs of cacti plants mean you should use consideration when deciding on the proper jar.
Cactus Roots Need a Shallow Depth and Small Size
Cactus plants do not grow well in deep pots. The roots need to be able to expand to all areas of the pot, but the roots cannot prosper long, requiring a shallow pot.
Most cactus plants only require two to four inches of dirt to cover the roots and base. Also, give your cacti a manageable amount of horizontal space. You should only choose a wide pot if you are planting multiple cacti together. And only a large cactus will need a deep pot.
Choose a Moisture-Preventing Pot Material
You can find pots in various materials. But the best option for the specific needs of cactus plants is ceramic (a baked clay material). This material performs excellently in creating breathability and aeration in the soil.
Ceramics can also be durable as long as they don’t sustain impact. When cared for, ceramic pots can last multiple years. But the main reason it’s the best choice for cactus plants is the material’s ability to remove moisture from the soil.
Cactus plants don’t like being wet, which causes root rot. Ceramics do an excellent job of preventing overwatering due to water retention in the soil. Terra-cotta (another type of clay) is another suitable material due to its porousness.
Plastic is another popular material to use for growing cactus plants. These pots are lightweight, making them easy to move around. They also make the soil dry slower, resulting in less frequent watering and reduced rot risk. And finally, plastic is more affordable and holds heat, which makes cacti happy because they don’t like sudden temperature fluctuations.
The Right Pot Will Have Holes
Along with choosing a material that rids water from the soil and improves air circulation, you’ll also want to ensure the pot you pick has drainage holes.
If a pot can’t drain, it puts cactus plants at higher risk of rotting. This is because cactus plants can soak up water nearby, even if already absorbed too much. As long as the water is present, the cacti will continue to try to collect it.
FAQ
Do cacti need pots with holes?
Cactus plants cannot tolerate being wet, so the pot you choose must be able to drain water out via one or more drainage holes. If the pot you purchase does not have existing holes, you can create some using common household tools.
Are ceramic pots good for cacti?
Ceramics is one of the best materials to use for cacti pots due to its ability to absorb water out of the dirt. Ceramics is a type of clay turned hard by heating.
Do cactus like to be root bound?
Most Cactus plants cannot tolerate being root-bound or having too much space that the roots can’t cover.
Are terracotta pots good for cacti?
Terracotta pots are excellent for cactus plants because they are clay that can wick moisture from the soil to keep it dry.
Cacti Do Best in Shallow Pots That Eliminate Water
Because cacti are succulents, they do not need a lot of water. Nor will they tolerate staying wet for extended periods. Therefore, you must pick a cactus pot that will help the soil dry out, with drainage holes and a porous behavior. The large round succulent planter truly hits the spot with this one. The best pot materials are ceramic, terra cotta, clay, and plastic.
You also do not need deep pots, as cactus plants have shallow roots. An ideal pot depth for cacti plants is between 2-in and 5 inches. If your pot is wide, consider growing several succulents in it.
Can’t Get Enough of the Greenery? We’ve Got the Hook-Up
If you found this cactus pot guide helpful, we’ve got plenty of other gardening facts to blow your mind. Check out how to grow plants using water with our interesting hydroponics guides.
What’cha Got to Say About It?
Do you have thoughts or feedback on our recommendations on the best pots for growing cacti? I’m so down to hear them, so drop me a line, and we’ll respond! Talking plants is what we do.
