With the right nurturing and care, your investment in a fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant, palm tree, or alocasia could translate into a long-lasting display—one that will warmly welcome guests for years. Shouldn’t the planter showcasing it have that same type of sustainability and stylish presence?
When shopping for planters for your residential or commercial spaces, chances are you’ll encounter a wide selection of available materials, including fiberglass and plastic. It’s a worthy investment of your time to understand the difference between these planter materials, as one significantly edges out the other in numerous areas. A side-by-side comparison—fiberglass planters versus plastic planters—reveals the following distinctions:
Appearance
Plants and planters, when included in landscaping design for your home, office, retail space, or resort or hotel design projects, have the ability to immediately transform even the most sparse settings. For the following reasons, a fiberglass planter easily wins over its plastic counterpart when looking at aesthetic appeal:
Fiberglass
Choosing a quality fiberglass planter for your plant design projects will yield an extensive array of design options, primarily because of the construction process. Fiberglass planters are made of spun glass fibers held together with a resin, and covered with automotive-grade paint. This composite material can be molded into a wide variety of shapes and finished with a virtually endless number of hues. Although you will have the ability to choose from dozens of sizes, shapes, and colors—from bold and glossy to sophisticated matte finishes—you also have the option of requesting a custom finish from reputable fiberglass manufacturers that specialize in customization. Also, because of the quality of the construction, colors will appear vibrant and saturated.
Plastic
Plastic planter manufacturers will provide you with numerous shapes and colors but will have limitations when compared to fiberglass. Since colors are generally applied through a melting or dyeing process, the finish may not be as rich as a fiberglass planter of the same color.
For these reasons, the differences between a fiberglass planter and a plastic planter will be apparent to the eye, primarily because of the differing qualities of construction. Plastic plant containers will stand out in sharp contrast to your other higher-quality furnishings.
Durability
Choosing the right planter for your interior spaces and patio, deck, or pool area will often include questions about durability—how long will your planters last? Chances are you’ve encountered planters at properties that look faded, scuffed, or cracked. Planter material is the main factor that determines how well a vessel will endure weather conditions such as rain, wind, solar ultraviolet rays, and high-traffic areas.
Fiberglass planters and plastic planters are both made to withstand harsh interior and exterior conditions. Within the first season, your planter—whether fiberglass or plastic—may not look much different from the day you first purchased it. However, over time, the differences between a fiberglass and plastic planter will become increasingly apparent. Take a look at why fiberglass will always emerge as the preferred planter material season after season:
Fiberglass
The construction process and materials of quality fiberglass planters are designed to withstand harsh conditions. Fiberglass planters are low-maintenance, and there’s no need to remove them from outdoors in the event of snow, thunderstorms, or other adverse conditions—they are frost-resistant, rust-proof, and shatterproof. These qualities also contribute to the enduring appearance of your planters. That saturated hue you fell in love with? Count on it remaining that same shade for years after your purchase.
Plastic
The materials and manufacturing process for plastic planters are the very attributes that can work against them. Plastic planters are more susceptible to fading, cracking, and shattering. The longer you leave them out in the elements, the more likely you will need to replace them after a few seasons.
Ease of Use
Concerned about ease of use when planting and moving your arrangements around? When it comes to types of planters, fiberglass and plastic containers rank highly as lightweight and easy to maneuver when compared to other planter options, especially ceramic, concrete, or clay pots. Here’s more information:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass planters, although incredibly strong and durable, are surprisingly lightweight. The composite materials of resin and fiberglass sheets along with the construction process contribute to their lightweight structure.
Plastic
Although plastic planters may not get high marks for durability, their lightweight construction allows you to easily move them around after potting your plants.
Cost
Of course, cost will be a consideration for many when shopping around for the best planter for an interior or exterior green design project. Depending upon the size of the planter you choose, the difference in cost between a fiberglass planter and a plastic planter could span a wide range of price points. If you’re only calculating a purchase based on the price tag, a plastic planter will more than likely have the advantage.
However, if you’re considering the long-term cost, a fiberglass planter will be your best option due to the likelihood of having to regularly replace plastic planters. Over time, those costs add up. Consider these factors when choosing between the two:
Fiberglass
When selecting a planter, consider how long you want it to last. If you plan to include it as an element in your overall design scheme, rather than as a temporary display, a fiberglass planter is your best option. This is a particularly important consideration for exterior landscaping projects since fiberglass will endure the elements season after season, year after year, without the need to move them indoors or replace them. The extra cost will far outweigh the disadvantages that come with plastic planters.
Plastic
If your project is short term, perhaps for one trade show, a plastic planter can provide you with a temporary solution without the higher cost of a fiberglass planter, which is designed as more of a permanent solution.
Choosing the best planter material for your flowers, trees, and plants can involve many considerations, from design appeal to durability to cost. When taking into account every factor, fiberglass planters will almost always emerge as the leading choice for design flexibility, longevity, and overall value.
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