BEZANO Spiral Faux Boxwood Front Door Planters, Set of 2

Plants can liven up any environment, and a visit to the nursery can be like a trip to the candy store for those who love them. But while you’re picking out the perfect flora, don’t forget to dress them up in a flattering outfit — and by that we mean a smart-looking planter.

Picking the right planter is especially important when you’re potting outdoor greenery near the entryway to your home. After all, this is where you want to greet guests with your most impressive flowers and foliage. These will usually be larger, more colorful plants, perhaps even decorative topiary bushes. You definitely don’t want to ruin the effect with a drab planter.

You’ll want to make sure that you buy something designed for outdoor use, but that still leaves a lot of leeway with regard to the construction of your planter. If you’ve got the money, you might be tempted to go with something in a more solid material like stoneware or terra cotta. These are both popular choices for indoor and outdoor plants, and there’s no denying they look great.

Buyer beware, though: Ceramics and stoneware can chip in extreme weather conditions or even show cracks if they’re left out in the cold long enough. Terra cotta is cheaper and a bit more durable with regard to climate, but it is permeable if you buy it unglazed. That means that it can soak in water from the outside and can leech water away from your soil on the inside. That’s fine for some plants, but it can be a bad fit for thirsty ones.

If you’re going for a more modern look, metal can be a great alternative. Just make sure that it’s stainless steel or a non-rusting variety like aluminum.

Want something a little less heavy? Fiberglass, resin or plastic planters are a great middle-of-the-road option. They can be painted and textured to look like more expensive materials and won’t be as heavy. (In some cases, they might be a little too light, especially with taller plants. You can always weight them down inside with pavers or rocks if that’s an issue.) Not only are these materials less expensive overall, they tend to be the most resistant to the elements.

Whatever material you choose, make sure you’ve got proper drainage. In most cases, that’s just a few holes at the bottom of your planter. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to fill up the entire planter with soil. Smaller plants can sit on an insert partway up the planter, and that insert can come with its own drainage holes that allow moisture to drip down into the bottom of the container.

How do you choose the right size planter for your plant? Unfortunately, it’s not an exact science. Cosmetically, outdoor planters look best when they’re about half as high as the plant itself. Equally as important are considerations for your plant’s root structure. You don’t want small planters to restrict root growth, but ones that are too large can cause your plant to take on too much water.