Pots and Planters UK – Large Terracotta, Mosaic and Fibreglass Garden Pots
Palm and Olive sells large garden pots and planters for UK gardens: hand-thrown terracotta jars, amphoras and wide planters from 45 to 80 cm across and up to 107 cm tall, sized for olive trees, palm trees and big shrubs. Mosaic and fibreglass pots are being added to the range. Delivery is free to most of mainland UK.
Terracotta pots and planters
Natural, breathable and heavy enough to stay put in the wind, terracotta is the classic choice for olive trees and Mediterranean plants. See our large terracotta pots page for the full guide.
- Large Terracotta Olive Jar – Rustic Mediterranean Garden Planter – £599.00. Height 107 cm, width 70 cm. A statement piece – olive trees, big shrubs or seasonal planting.
- Large Rustic Terracotta Jar planter – £399.99. Height 85 cm, width 65 cm. Tall plants and small trees by a door or terrace.
- Large Rustic Terracotta Amphora with Handles – £249.99. Height 80 cm, width 55 cm. Upright shrubs, grasses or a planted liner pot.
- Large Rustic Terracotta Pot – £249.99. Height 80 cm, width 50 cm. Bay, citrus and slim trees.
- Large Terracotta Pots – £249.99. Height 60 cm, width 80 cm. Olive trees and palms – wide and easy to plant.
- Large Terracotta Planter with Handles – £249.99. Height 60 cm, width 80 cm. Trees and big shrubs you want to move or repot.
- Large Glossy Terracotta Planters – £249.99 (out of stock). Height 72 cm, width 55 cm. Front doors and modern patios.
- Large Flared Terracotta Garden Jar – £169.99 (was £199.99). Height 70 cm, width 60 cm. Shrubs, small trees and flowers.
- Large Grooved Terracotta Pot Planter – £187.54. Height 55 cm, width 45 cm. Lavender, herbs, agapanthus and smaller shrubs.
Mosaic pots
A mosaic pot is a terracotta pot covered by hand in small pieces of glazed tile, then grouted and sealed.
Our mosaic pots are being added to the shop. WhatsApp us on 07481 102135 to reserve one.
Fibreglass and ceramic planters
Fibreglass planters are light and weatherproof – ideal for balconies, roof terraces and very large sizes. Glazed ceramic adds glossy colour by a front door.
Our fibreglass and ceramic planters are being added to the shop. WhatsApp us on 07481 102135 for sizes and prices.
How a mosaic terracotta pot is made
- Make the terracotta pot. Every mosaic pot starts as a hand-thrown terracotta pot, dried slowly and fired at around 1,000 °C so it is strong enough to carry the tiles.
- Cut the tiles. Sheets of glazed tile are snipped with tile nippers into hundreds of small pieces, called tesserae.
- Draw the design. The pattern is marked straight onto the clay – borders, zigzags and flowers – so every band lines up all the way round.
- Lay the tiles. Piece by piece, the tiles are set into outdoor tile adhesive, following the curve of the pot.
- Grout the gaps. Weatherproof grout is pressed into every joint and the surface sponged clean, locking the tiles together.
- Polish and seal. Once set, the pot is polished and sealed so the colours stay bright through rain and frost.
Which pot does my plant need?
Choose a pot about 10–15 cm wider than the root ball, leaving 5–8 cm of fresh compost all round. As a guide: a 1.2–1.6 m olive tree or palm needs a pot around 45–50 cm wide; a 2 m tree 55–65 cm; and a mature 2.5–3.5 m olive tree 70–80 cm. Wide-mouthed planters are easiest to plant and repot; jars have a narrower neck and suit smaller root balls or a liner pot.
Terracotta, mosaic or fibreglass?
| Material | Look | Weight | Winter | Breathes? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terracotta | Warm, natural clay that ages beautifully | Heavy – stable in the wind | Frost-resistant when raised on feet and well drained | Yes – keeps roots cool, dries faster | Olive trees, palms, Mediterranean plants |
| Mosaic terracotta | Hand-laid tiles in bright patterns | Heavy | Sealed tiles; keep it dry underneath in winter | Partly – the tiles slow evaporation | Statement pieces, courtyards, front doors |
| Fibreglass | Smooth, modern finishes | Light – easy to move, good for balconies | Weatherproof, does not crack in frost | No – holds moisture longer | Roof terraces, balconies, very large sizes |
| Glazed ceramic | Glossy colour and depth | Heavy | Glaze seals the surface; keep it dry underneath | Less than plain terracotta | Modern patios and entrances |
Pot sizes
| Pot | Height | Width | Shape | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Terracotta Olive Jar – Rustic Mediterranean Garden Planter | 107 cm | 70 cm | Jar shape | A statement piece – olive trees, big shrubs or seasonal planting | £599.00 |
| Large Rustic Terracotta Jar planter | 85 cm | 65 cm | Jar shape | Tall plants and small trees by a door or terrace | £399.99 |
| Large Rustic Terracotta Amphora with Handles | 80 cm | 55 cm | Jar shape | Upright shrubs, grasses or a planted liner pot | £249.99 |
| Large Rustic Terracotta Pot | 80 cm | 50 cm | Jar shape | Bay, citrus and slim trees | £249.99 |
| Large Terracotta Pots | 60 cm | 80 cm | Wide mouth | Olive trees and palms – wide and easy to plant | £249.99 |
| Large Terracotta Planter with Handles | 60 cm | 80 cm | Wide mouth | Trees and big shrubs you want to move or repot | £249.99 |
| Large Glossy Terracotta Planters | 72 cm | 55 cm | Wide mouth | Front doors and modern patios | £249.99 |
| Large Flared Terracotta Garden Jar | 70 cm | 60 cm | Jar shape | Shrubs, small trees and flowers | £169.99 |
| Large Grooved Terracotta Pot Planter | 55 cm | 45 cm | Jar shape | Lavender, herbs, agapanthus and smaller shrubs | £187.54 |
Looking after a large pot
- Drainage first. Any pot you plant straight into needs a drainage hole. Cover it with crocks or gravel so compost does not wash out.
- Lift it off the ground. Three pot feet let water run away and stop the base freezing to wet paving in winter.
- The right compost. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3 for trees – it holds nutrients and keeps big pots stable.
- No saucers in winter. A saucer of standing water is the main cause of frost damage. Remove it from autumn to spring.
- Water deeply. Water until it runs from the base, then let the top few centimetres dry. Terracotta dries faster than plastic.
- Place it first. A large pot is heavy even empty. Put it where it will live before you fill and plant it.
Pots and planters FAQs
What size pot do I need for an olive tree?
Choose a pot about 10–15 cm wider than the root ball, so there are 5–8 cm of fresh compost all round. A 1.5–2 m olive tree usually needs a pot around 50–60 cm wide; mature trees suit our 70–80 cm wide pots. Use the pot finder on this page to see your tree in each pot, to scale.
Are terracotta pots frost-proof?
Our terracotta is frost-resistant. Frost damage happens when wet clay freezes, so raise pots on feet, remove saucers in winter and make sure water can drain away – then a good terracotta pot will last for many winters.
Terracotta or fibreglass – which is better?
Terracotta is natural, heavy and breathable: it keeps roots cool, is stable in the wind and ages beautifully, but dries out faster. Fibreglass is light, weatherproof and easy to move – ideal for balconies and roof terraces. For olive trees and palms in the ground-level garden, most people choose terracotta.
What is a mosaic pot?
A mosaic pot is a terracotta pot decorated by hand with small pieces of glazed tile, set into adhesive and grouted. Watch the animation on this page to see one made, from the clay to the final polish.
Do you sell mosaic and fibreglass pots?
Our mosaic and fibreglass pots are being added to the shop now. If you would like one before they are listed, send us a WhatsApp message on 07481 102135 and we will help.
Do I need a drainage hole?
Yes, if you plant directly into the pot. Without one, water collects at the bottom, roots rot and the pot is more likely to crack in frost. Jars without a hole can be used with a plastic liner pot inside.
Should I line a terracotta pot?
You do not have to. For thirsty plants you can line the inside walls (not the base) with a plastic sheet to slow evaporation – just keep the drainage hole clear.
Can I put a big pot on a balcony?
Large terracotta pots are heavy once filled with compost and water, so check what your balcony can take. Fibreglass pots are much lighter and a better choice for balconies and roof terraces.
What compost should I use in a large pot?
For trees and shrubs, a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3 mixed with some grit is ideal. For olive trees add extra grit so it drains freely.
Do you deliver pots?
Yes. Delivery is free to most of mainland UK. Large pots are packed carefully – if anything arrives damaged, contact us and we will put it right.
Also see Terracotta pots, Olive trees, Palm trees, Tree ferns, Late-autumn repotting guide for olives and Trachycarpus, Anchoring potted olive trees and palms in winter.
Questions? Call or WhatsApp Palm and Olive on 07481 102135 or email info@palmandolive.co.uk.