Viridian Ceramic Face Planter

A planter with a face carved into it walks a fine line between charming and strange, and this one lands solidly on the charming side. Several expressive faces are molded directly into the ceramic surface, giving what would otherwise be a plain round pot an actual personality, the kind of object that gets a comment the first time someone new spots it on a shelf or desk. Rather than reading as kitsch, the faces come across as playful and a little sly, which lets the piece sit comfortably in a clean modern room just as easily as on a shelf already crowded with collected, maximalist objects. The wide open top gives a plant genuine room to grow rather than pinching it into a tight opening, so a full, generous succulent or a trailing vine both have space to develop without looking cramped against the rim. Set on a tabletop, windowsill, console, or desk, it works as a small conversation piece even before anything green goes into it, and once planted, the faces peeking out from beneath leaves or trailing stems only add to the effect. It is a rare Oak Mercer planter that manages to be genuinely funny and still look intentional rather than like a novelty gift shop impulse buy.

The body is glazed ceramic, fired for durability and finished with a surface that wipes clean easily whenever soil or water splashes onto the exterior during watering. The interior runs deep enough to hold a small root ball along with real room for soil, so a plant is not forced to sit right at the surface, and the base carries enough weight to keep the whole pot steady even once a trailing plant grows long and starts to lean over one side. Succulents, cacti, jade, and string of pearls all do particularly well here, since their compact root systems match the pot's straightforward design, and a small pothos works nicely too, its vines eventually spilling down past the molded faces for a slightly overgrown, jungly look. For anyone not ready to commit to a plant at all, the Viridian planter doubles easily as a desk catchall, corralling keys, paper clips, and other small clutter in something considerably more interesting than a plain tray or dish. That flexibility means it earns a spot on a shelf or desk long before, and long after, any particular plant is actually living inside it, and repotting is rarely necessary given the wide top and generous interior depth on offer.

From Oak Mercer, the Viridian face planter makes a reliably well-received gift for the plant person in your life who already owns several plain terracotta pots and would rather have one with a bit of character. It also works as a small, low-cost way to add personality to a shelf of otherwise identical planters sitting in a row. Before planting anything, it is worth checking whether the chosen plant needs active drainage; if it does, a simple nursery liner set inside the pot solves the problem without requiring a drilled hole in the ceramic itself. Watering habits matter here as much as the pot does: water sparingly, especially for succulents and cacti, and always empty out any standing water that collects at the base rather than letting roots sit in it, since that is the fastest way to lose an otherwise easy-care plant. A quick wipe of the exterior with a damp cloth keeps the glaze looking fresh and protects the surface from mineral buildup over time. It also makes a thoughtful housewarming gift alongside a small starter succulent, giving the recipient both the plant and the pot together in one simple gathering. Because the glaze resists most everyday stains, a spilled bit of soil or a light water splash wipes away without leaving a lasting mark on the finish, keeping the faces looking fresh through years of regular use on a busy desk or shelf.

• Material: glazed ceramic with a durable, wipe-clean finish
• Design: sculptural planter with multiple molded faces
• Best for: succulents, cacti, jade, string of pearls, small pothos
• Also works as: a desk catchall for keys and small items
• Care: water sparingly, avoid standing water, wipe clean
• Brand: Oak Mercer

Free standard shipping on every order within the United States, with no minimum. Standard delivery takes 5–10 business days. Express delivery is available at checkout for $15.00. Returns accepted within 60 days of delivery.