I have now managed to collect so many plants in the few months since I began this quest, I now need (and have) a basement space to accommodate all my babies. Next in the works, is a window- plant -holder -thingie my DH is building for me (will post pics after it is finished)

In the meantime, I purchased a cool looking planter at TJ Maxx that fit my kitten ears plant perfectly - I was stuck by the difference in presentation. Well, I would like to buy nice containers for ALL my plants but it is EXPENSIVE, esp if you need them by the dozen.
BTW I am not worried about drainage etc because these will not be actually planted in.

So , where do you go looking for containers for your plants ? Any online sites you can recommend ?

Usha

Unless I'm purchasing a special pot (usually more th $20) at a cactus and succulent show, I get all of my pots / plant containers at thrift stores.

If the pots don't have holes (most of them don't), they'll get them by getting drilled.

I have found some really pretty outer containers of all kinds in thrift stores, too. I prefer pottery, copper, or brass containers.

If you are looking for small pots look in the discount stores in the dinnerware area. You will be amazed what a beautiful soup bowl as a planter will look. Hey I have looked at some of my own odd Tea Cups and thought I do not need that cup I can use that for a plant. LOL

Garage sales. I've found some real beautys, decorated ceramic, less than .50.

Dollar Stores, Grocery Stores, CVS, Walgreens.
The best time to buy nice, inexpensive containers, at stores mentioned above is from late summer to early winter..But check regularly because they go fast.

About no drainage. Are you planning on setting say a plastic, growing pot directly inside a container w/o drainage or have another idea?

Toni

Thanks you guys, I will be scouring the thrift stores this weekend - this might be fun.....

Toni, you are correct , I want to set the plant-growing- container inside the decorative planter.

BTW, I visited my sister in northern virginai this christmas break and visited an awesome greenhouse - Merrifield nursery, in Merrifield, VA. great variety, well cared for plants and it seemed to me that a lot of plants were planted in Al's gritty mix :). Highly recommend if you are in the area.

Prices were on the expensive side :(
I bought a few small plants - a lipstick plant, a sans. cylindrica and a pepperomia (the purple hued crinkled leaf kind, the name escapes me). I'll post pics of those as well. I think I am going to have to leave early from work today !

Usha
http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/Home.aspx

The planter was 35 but the trash can for the bathroom was on sale for 5.00. The only difference was the pot had a drainage hole. Made by the same manufacture. LOL

For large pots, 6" and up, I add styrofoam sheets between pots. Leaves first yellow indicating something is wrong. If unattended, plant will get root rot and die.

If you're interested in online shopping Collection Inc is a good place to find inexpensive, ornate pots..

Collections

Garage Sale

Collections, Inc Santa Planter..4.00--Cactus Stand. 5.00

Rare Secret Gardens. 12.99

I have others, but can't find them on my site, lol.

Try Collections, Inc. Or check their online site. They also have a catalog, but I prefer ordering online. Better bargains.

Another is Lakeside Collection. Toni

Just as an aside, 'gritty mixes' have been used in the trade for many years. Not just for containerized plants, but for other horticultural industries, as well. Al has really done a very good job at fine-tuning his different mixes into formulae that work very well for him and others who use it.

It's kinda interesting...the first time I saw a mix made of turface, perlite, peat moss, and bark fines was when I was attending a trade show for the golf course industry. Different variations of these ingredients were used to create the artificial medium under golf course greens. Gosh, I hate to think how long ago that was, lol.

I was at Tuesday Morning today they have some beautiful pots and pot possibilities real cheap. I do not know if you have one of these stores in your area but they are a high end resale discount store, they sell some beautiful stuff.

rhizo, those are pretty colors. I wonder if you could make one if you could find one of those styrofoam wig heads and cover it with concrete or clay. Michale here sell both in small boxes for crafts like that.

Here are a few I have picked this year.

From the thrift store none of these were over 3.00

Picked these up at CVS last week for 50% off. The most expensive was the group of 3 for 10.00. They band them together and you get 3 different size pots for one price.