Head Flower Pots | Novelty Planters That Work

Head flower pots are decorative planters shaped like human faces or heads, typically sold for indoor or outdoor use with small plants like succulents, herbs, and cacti.

A head flower pot turns an ordinary succulent into a conversation piece. These novelty planters come in styles ranging from elegant goddess faces to abstract modern sculptures. Before you pick one, the main decision is matching the planter’s material, drainage, and size to where you want it and what you’ll grow in it.

What Materials Are Head Planters Made From?

The material determines where the planter goes and how much it weighs. Three common types dominate the US market.

Resin head planters are lightweight and affordable, typically running from $9 to $70 depending on size and detail. They resist cracking and move easily from shelf to patio.

Concrete and magnesium oxide (MgO) planters are heavier and more expensive. These suit outdoor spaces and ground-level placement, but the weight — some concrete models hit 20 kg — means you do not want to move them once placed.

Ceramic versions exist too, though they are less common in the head-planter category. Whichever material you choose, check whether the listing includes a drainage hole; many resin models do, but not all.

How To Pick The Right Size For Your Plant

Head planters look dramatic but their soil cavities are modest — these are small-rooted plant homes, not shrub containers. A typical resin face planter offers a cavity roughly 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep. That fits one succulent, a small fern, or a few herbs. Larger concrete models give more room, but even the 24-inch Okak planter is tall rather than wide; its interior still suits plants with compact root systems.

Cactus, aloe, snake plants, pothos, and trailing succulents are the best choices. Root vegetables or any plant that needs more than six inches of soil depth will struggle. Check the product specs for cavity dimensions before buying, and avoid the assumption that all head planters are the same size — tabletop resin versions and freestanding concrete pieces are completely different products.

What To Watch For Before Buying

The most common mistake is buying a head planter without checking drainage. A pot that cannot drain traps water at the bottom, and succulents that sit in wet soil rot fast. The YIKUSH and Okak listings both include a stopper that lets you open or close the drainage hole — that is the right design. If a listing does not mention drainage, assume it has none and plan to drill one yourself or use it as a cachepot with a separate nursery pot inside.

Climate matters too. Frost-proof claims exist on some concrete models, but most resin planters crack if left out through a hard freeze. If the planter goes outdoors year-round, pick a concrete or MgO model rated for freezing weather. If it stays on a covered porch or indoors, resin is fine.

If you are ready to compare specific models side by side, our head flower pot roundup covers the best options for different budgets and styles, with exact dimensions and drainage details for each.

Do Head Planters Work Indoors Or Outdoors?

Most head planters work in both spots, but the material and placement matter. Resin models suit indoor shelves, office desks, and covered patios. Concrete versions handle full sun and rain but are too heavy for most indoor furniture without a dolly or solid floor base.

The Target Okak listing confirms “Ground Freestanding” placement — that planter lives on the ground, not on a table. Manufacturer guidance says these planters suit flowers, herbs, succulents, and vegetables. As long as the plant’s root size matches the cavity, head planters grow anything a standard pot of the same volume would.

One practical tip: the rubber feet included with many resin models protect your furniture from scratches and lift the pot slightly for airflow under the drainage hole. That small detail turns a novelty piece into a genuinely usable planter.