Facilitate Your Indoor Plants With the Best Planter Trays in 2021
This year, people are interested in minimal furnishing options and are more inclined towards adding a natural touch to their home. Plants are an awesome addition to any indoor space as they provide subtle beauty without being too much. Indoor plants like aloe vera, Chinese money plant, baby toes, and others lift the vibe of any room and keep the air filtered naturally. Planter trays are a handy item for long-term use and to hold plants properly in one place without compromising on their quality. We reviewed the finest planter trays in 2021 that not only help you grow plants successfully but also make sure that your house remains clean.
It is imperative to use the right kind of tray to manage and maintain indoor plants. A poor-quality product will cause frustration and may not hold the plant properly. This is why we have included a comprehensive buying guide so you can pick a planter tray worth your hard earned money.
Best Planter Trays Buying Guide
What to look for in a high-quality planter tray?
Size
Size is an important factor as it helps you find something suitable to go with the pot of your plant. When choosing a planter tray, consider the size of the plants you are planning to put on them along with their growth rate. Any flora and fauna bigger than a 23-inch growth should be kept in a floor pot.
Material
The type of material you pick must be according to the size of your plant, its watering requirements, and, most importantly - the location of setup. Most people use planter trays outdoors, like on a patio or entryway. In such a case, opt for heavier material. On the other hand, any light material would do if your setup is exclusively indoor with smaller plants.
Color
This may not seem important, but the right color for your planter tray can make or break the overall look of your indoor garden. Transparent trays are the top choice among home decorators but, if you want to go with something colorful, contrast the color of planter trays with the overall look of your room.
Leakage
Before purchasing, ensure that your material is leak-proof with no holes. Besides dehydrating your indoor plants, leakage can also ruin the look of your home and cause unwanted puddles and excessive moisture in walls. Polypropylene and terracotta are leak-proof materials that prevent water absorption in walls. Cement, although durable, might not be as waterproof and has the potential of leaking water.
Packages
Check the packaging of the planter tray before buying it. Are you looking for a single-sized set of trays for your plants, or do you require multiple trays in various sizes? Some packages come in numerous planter trays of the same size, while others have equal sets of different sizes. Check the type of plants you intend to place on the planter trays before finalizing the package.
Why should every indoor garden have planter trays?
Prevent spills
If you are using regular outdoor pots for a dainty indoor garden, prepare yourself for unwanted water spills, moisture-absorbing roots, and whatnot. Using leak-proof planter trays makes it easier to lock the moisture inside without disrupting the look of your house.
Increase humidity
Everyone wants sufficient humidity in their house without any effort. While some people invest in a humidifier to do that, you can increase your home's humidity with some indoor plants like the peace lily and English ivy. A humid house keeps your skin fresh and healthy while reducing fatigue and anxiety.
Gorgeous aesthetic
Some people go for the health benefits of indoor plants, while others opt for the look. Apart from facilitating your home with health benefits, plants can add a nice touch to the overall look of your space. By using the right kind of planter trays with contrasting colors, you can actually create a gorgeous corner in your home.
What is the best material for planter trays?
The three most common materials for planter trays are plastic, clay, and terracotta. While fiberglass and cement options are also available, they are mainly used for outdoor planting.
Plastic
An affordable option, plastic is the top choice for many people looking for a budget-friendly way to make an indoor garden. Other than being reasonably priced, planter trays made from polypropylene plastic are lightweight but durable, so you can use them for a long time.
They are available in almost every other color and shape, so you can add a layer of creativity all around your home. Additionally, planter trays made of plastic can retain more water, reducing the frustration of regular watering. However, you must know that plastic is ideal only for lightweight plants and indoor use. Due to their lightweight properties, they might not be able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Terracotta
Terracotta planter trays create a far more conventional, pot-like look because of their durable material and weight tolerance. You can find terracotta planters in various designs and subtle colors for a refreshingly sober look. However, they require frequent watering as compared to their plastic counterparts because of their brittle design. Terracotta is ideal for plants that require more air and less water, like cacti and aloe vera, but they are more costly and not available easily.
Clay
Add a touch of rustic charm to your planter trays by choosing clay trays. These create a sophisticated, natural, and charming aura with an eco-friendly theme. Plants seem to remain fresh, cool, and hydrated throughout the day in clay planter trays. Clay planters require regular sunlight to remain dry. Therefore, you must opt for a sunny corner of the house for this setup.
What are the different shapes of planter trays?
Square
Square planter trays are a hot commodity for arranging your plants and decorating a specific part of your house. They can be placed side-by-side while eliminating unwanted spaces between your trays, so the water doesn't overflow. Additionally, they have a higher capacity and more surface area, making them a perfect pick for plants with more expansive roots.
Rectangular
If you want to grow a row of vegetables or flowers, a rectangular container is the best choice. They look best with smaller plants such as the African violet, mint, carrots, and aloe vera.
Round/oval
Round and oval-shaped planter trays are a perfect addition to your home if you are a herb enthusiast. Perfect for use in the kitchen, these planter trays offer ample space for roots to grow while retaining water that is crucial for lovely herbs to grow perfectly. However, when choosing a round pot, always check the depth as well as the diameter of the base.
Final thoughts
Planter trays are an essential addition to any home where people are looking to grow an indoor garden. They come in multiple shapes, sizes, and colors that give you a big variety when picking one. We reviewed some of the highest-rated planter trays in 2021, along with a detailed guide to ensure you don't spend money on something unworthy. With the right kind of planter tray, it becomes much easier to manage the quality and growth of your plants without any deterioration of your home.
Compare The Best Planter Tray In 2021
UltraOutlet Planter Tray
– Best Overall
UltraOutlet planter trays are the best clear plastic trays. Taking a minimalistic approach with their clear material, these lightweight plant saucers retain water from the drainage hole, ensuring a clean space post-watering. They are made from crystal clear, durable plastic that not only goes well with the theme of your space, but also allows you to see the water level and plant growth.
Available in 3 different sizes, this pack of 20 planter trays consists of 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch variants, so you can pick ones according to the size of your plants. Moreover, you can also store other small items in these oval-shaped planter trays.
- They blend well in any room because of their crystal clear color
- It consists of 20 trays of 3 different sizes
- Made from lightweight, durable plastic
- The diameter may be less than indicated
Hydrofarm Planter Trays
– Runner Up
Hydrofarm planter trays are a great choice for indoor plants if you are looking for something lightweight and durable. It has a unique ribbed bottom that provides your plants with sufficient amounts of water without them sticking to the tray so they can grow healthily. Available in 7 different sizes, each pack features 25 trays of the same size, ensuring you create a uniform look throughout your home. Additionally, these trays are available in a dark green color to match the aesthetic of various rooms.
- It is made from lightweight but durable plastic
- Helps water plants without creating a mess
- Available in 7 different sizes
- It might be too wide for certain plants
- Green may not be the perfect indoor color
HC Companies Planter Trays
– Honorable Mention
Brown is an ideal color for many spaces. HC Companies incorporate the perfect hue of chocolate brown in their planter trays, so they go well with the overall look of your living room. Made from durable plastic, these trays weigh only 0.4 lbs, allowing you to perform container gardening with ease. Ensuring perfect water control, they minimize your chances of overwatering the plants, so they remain well-nourished. Ideal for any indoor or patio setting, these planter trays have weather-resistant properties, assuring you long-lasting use. Available in 6 different sizes, these planter trays can accommodate all kinds of indoor plants effortlessly.
- Lightweight and durable
- Features an ideal water-control system
- Available in 6 different sizes
- It might be overpriced for some people
- Lightweight plastic cannot carry the weight of heavier plants
REMIAWY Planter Trays
– Contender
Incorporating indoor flowering plants is a great way to lift the aura of any room. REMIAWY has the perfect solution to hold your flower plants while complementing the look of the room. These planter trays come in a pack of 18 plates in three different sizes of 6, 8, and 10 inches, so you can accommodate pots within the base’s 4.5, 6.5, and 8-inch diameters. Additionally, the clear design helps you check water content while the ridges elevate the surface so you can keep all your favorite plants without the risk of rotting roots.
- Transparent design for creativity
- Different sizes in one pack
- Great for both indoor and outdoor plants
- It might crack after a couple of months
If you are searching for a planter tray that not only comes in different sizes, but also 4 different colors, then Matri is your go-to brand. These reliable and durable planter trays are made from 100% polypropylene plastic which allows you to create an eco-friendly space in your indoor garden. They are multipurpose planter trays so you can use them for a birdbath, DIY projects, etc. These planter trays also highlight UV protection properties against color fading, which makes them long lasting. You can find this round-shaped planter tray in 9-inch, 6-inch, 13-inch, and 16-inch variants, so you can pick one that suits your plant size. Moreover, choose your favorite among clay, black, cement, green, and terracotta colors.
- Made from weather-resistant and durable material
- Available in different colors and sizes
- UV-protection properties
- Some find them a bit expensive
Planter Tray FAQ
A: Rocks are by no means a compulsory part of your planter tray. However, you can consider placing rocks in your planters for extra saturation. Most people also go for a natural aesthetic by adding colorful rocks to transparent planter trays.
A: Usually, people improve the drainage capabilities of planter trays by adding gravel, rocks, and broken pottery. However, opt for lighter items such as smaller pebbles, foam, or crushed soda cans for indoor use.
A: While it is possible to use indoor planter trays outside, you must opt for heavier material with weather-resistant properties.
