Studio guide from Sylvia Levy, founder of Tree Art Studio (Miami, est. 1995). First published April 24, 2026. Last updated May 12, 2026.
Hexagonal planters are six-sided ceramic pots designed for small plants (succulents, air plants, cacti, herbs, small flowers), most often sold as desktop sets to display on shelves, desks, and windowsills. Tree Art Store sells 4 studio-designed hexagonal planter sets, each containing three ceramic pots with drainage holes, three bamboo trays, decorative rocks, and a glass spray bottle. Plants are not included, so you choose the species that suits your space.
If you are deciding which hexagonal planter set to buy:
- For a modern workspace or curated interior? Choose Pixeled Canopy. Graphic pixeled pattern, suits contemporary desks and design-forward homes.
- For a soft, nursery, or pastel interior? Choose Pastel Foliage. Calm palette, suits Scandinavian-style rooms and gentle interiors.
- For an indoor plant collector? Choose Leaf by Leaf. Playful botanical artwork with leaf phrases, for plant lovers.
- For a relaxed, plant-forward home? Choose Butterfly Bloom. Butterfly and bloom motif, warm and inviting.
→ See all 4 hexagonal planter sets at Tree Art Store · Free shipping on orders over $65
Honest note about size. Each pot is 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.0 inches (6.4 × 6.4 × 5.1 cm). These are mini desktop planters, sized for succulents, air plants, small cacti, bonsai, herbs, and small flowers. They are not meant to hold full-size houseplants. Please consider dimensions before buying.
The 4 hexagonal planter sets at a glance
| Set | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pixeled Canopy | Graphic pixeled pattern | Modern workspaces, curated interiors |
| Pastel Foliage | Soft pastel botanical | Nurseries, Scandinavian-style rooms, calm interiors |
| Leaf by Leaf | Playful leaf motif with phrases | Plant lovers, kitchens, kids' rooms |
| Butterfly Bloom | Butterfly and floral pattern | Plant-forward homes, warm interiors |
In this guide
- What are hexagonal planters (and why the shape matters)
- What plants work in hexagonal mini planters
- Do succulents prefer deep or shallow pots?
- What to look for in a hexagonal planter set
- What makes Tree Art Store hexagonal planters different
- What is included in every set
- All 4 designs at Tree Art Store
- Where to display hexagonal planters in your home
- How to choose a set for your room palette
- Hexagonal planter sets as gifts
- How to care for plants in mini ceramic pots
- Three styling tips from 30 years of art teaching
- Frequently asked questions
What are hexagonal planters (and why the shape matters)
Hexagonal planters are six-sided plant containers. The shape is more than a design choice. It changes how the planters work as a set in a small space:
- The flat sides align cleanly against books and rectangular objects on a shelf or desk. Round pots leave awkward gaps. Hexagonal pots sit flush against straight edges, making the arrangement read intentional rather than accidental.
- Multiple hexagons tile together. A set of three hexagonal pots can sit side by side in a honeycomb arrangement that round or square pots cannot replicate.
- The geometry reads as designed. A hexagon adds visual interest to a desk or shelf that a generic round pot does not.
- The shape is stable. Six flat surfaces give a hexagonal pot more contact area than a round one, making it less likely to tip over from a brushed hand or a pet.
This is why hexagonal planters work especially well on desks, windowsills, bookshelves, and small surfaces where multiple objects share the space. The shape does design work that a round pot does not.
What plants work in hexagonal mini planters
The Tree Art Store hexagonal pots are 2.5 inches across. That sets a specific range of plants that thrive in them. Plants that work well:
- Succulents. The most popular pairing. Echeveria, jade, sedum, haworthia, and other small succulents thrive in mini pots with good drainage. Their slow growth means they stay sized for the pot.
- Air plants (tillandsia). Need no soil. Sit directly in the pot, sometimes with decorative rocks underneath. Mist with the included spray bottle every few days.
- Small cacti. Most mini cactus species (mammillaria, parodia, gymnocalycium) live happily in 2.5-inch pots for years.
- Bonsai starters. Beginner bonsai species like dwarf jade or juniper saplings fit the scale.
- Herbs in small quantities. A single basil, parsley, thyme, or oregano seedling fits, though it will need transplanting once it matures.
- Small flowers. Dwarf flowering plants and small annuals work for short-term display.
- Propagated cuttings. Pothos, philodendron, and other propagation-friendly plants can root in mini pots before transplanting to larger containers.
Plants that do NOT work in these pots:
- Larger houseplants (monstera, fiddle leaf, peace lily, ZZ plant)
- Plants with deep root systems
- Anything that needs frequent watering and large soil volume
Plants are not included with Tree Art Store sets. This is intentional. The right plant depends on your light, your watering schedule, and your local climate. Buying plants locally lets you pick species that already thrive in your environment.
Do succulents prefer deep or shallow pots?
Succulents prefer shallow pots over deep pots, and the reason is biological. Succulent roots spread laterally close to the surface, not deep into the soil. A shallow pot keeps the roots in the active soil zone and helps soil dry between waterings, which is what succulents need to avoid root rot.
The 2-inch depth of the Tree Art Store hexagonal pots fits this requirement well. It is the right scale for most small succulents, and the drainage holes in each pot help excess water escape after watering. This is exactly the setup most experienced succulent growers recommend for small specimens.
For larger succulent specimens, a wider shallow pot (still shallow, just wider) works better than scaling up to a deeper pot. Depth is not the variable to increase.
What to look for in a hexagonal planter set
A quick checklist for evaluating any hexagonal planter set before buying:
- Material. Ceramic is the standard for indoor planters. Durable, fired at high temperatures, breathable enough for plant roots, and easy to clean. Avoid plastic (degrades in sunlight, looks cheap) and unfinished concrete (porous, stains easily).
- Drainage holes. Non-negotiable for plant health. Pots without drainage trap water at the bottom, leading to root rot. Tree Art Store pots all have drainage holes.
- Included tray or saucer. Drainage holes need a tray underneath to catch runoff. Sets without trays force you to buy them separately. Tree Art Store sets include three bamboo trays sized to fit the pots.
- Set size. A set of three is the practical scale for desk and shelf display. Singles look incidental. Larger sets need more surface area.
- Pot size honestly disclosed. Many listings show oversized photos that misrepresent actual pot size. Read the dimensions carefully. Tree Art Store pots are 2.5 inches.
- Design quality. The bulk of the hex planter market is plain white or solid color. Studio-designed artwork is a real differentiator and adds visual interest where it lives.
- Maintenance accessories. A spray bottle is useful for misting air plants, succulents in dry climates, and propagating cuttings. Decorative rocks help retain soil moisture and finish the planter look. These items are often sold separately. Tree Art Store sets include both.
What makes Tree Art Store hexagonal planters different
The hex planter category is dominated by solid-white commodity pots sold in 6- or 7-packs at low prices. Tree Art Store sits in a different position: 4 studio-designed sets with original artwork, sold as a complete styling kit with everything needed to display plants from day one.
Specifically:
- Original studio artwork. Every design is drawn in Tree Art Studio. The 4 palettes have a coherent point of view, designed to match specific room moods rather than blend in as neutral commodity pots.
- High-fired ceramic with glazed finish. Durable, weather resistant, smooth surface, easy to clean with a damp cloth.
- Drainage holes in every pot. Essential for plant health, often missing from cheaper commodity pots.
- Bamboo trays included. Three trays sized to match the pots, made from fast-growing renewable bamboo, water resistant, naturally durable.
- 200g of white decorative rocks. The finishing touch on a planted arrangement, helps retain soil moisture and gives the planter a polished look.
- Compact glass spray bottle (50ml). Sized for misting air plants and succulents. Glass instead of plastic for a cleaner finish.
- 4 design palettes covering modern, soft, plant-collector, and warm interiors.
- One free online art class included with every purchase.
The result is a planter set you would happily display on a desk or shelf even before plants are added. The pots themselves are the design, with the plants as a bonus.
What is included in every set
Every Tree Art Store hexagonal planter set includes:
- Three (3) hexagonal ceramic pots with drainage holes (2.5 × 2.5 × 2.0 inches each)
- Three (3) bamboo trays (2.75 × 2.75 × 0.4 inches each)
- 200g of white decorative rocks
- One (1) glass spray bottle (50ml capacity)
- One (1) free online art class from Tree Art Studio
Plants are not included. Choose succulents, air plants, small cacti, bonsai, herbs, or small flowers locally to match your light and climate.
All 4 designs at Tree Art Store
Every hexagonal planter set at Tree Art Store is drawn in Tree Art Studio. The 4 sets in the collection:
- Pixeled Canopy, a graphic pixeled pattern for modern workspaces and curated interiors
- Pastel Foliage, soft pastel botanical for nurseries, Scandinavian-style rooms, and calm interiors
- Leaf by Leaf, playful leaf motif with botanical phrases for plant lovers and kitchens
- Butterfly Bloom, butterfly and floral pattern for plant-forward homes and warm interiors
For households building a unified design language across rooms, the hexagonal planters pair naturally with our hangable acrylic puzzles (the hexagonal shape repeats) and our hexagonal paper placemats for the dining table.
Where to display hexagonal planters in your home
The 2.5-inch scale opens up specific display options that a full-size planter cannot occupy:
On a desk or work surface. A set of three pots takes up about 9 inches of total width. Fits on most desks alongside a laptop, keyboard, and small lamp without crowding the work area. Pixeled Canopy is the natural pick for a desk.
On a windowsill. Most windowsills are 4 to 6 inches deep. The 2.5-inch pots fit comfortably and give the plants direct light. Succulents and air plants especially thrive in windowsill placement.
On a kitchen counter or windowsill. For small herbs (basil, parsley, thyme) used while cooking. Leaf by Leaf works well in kitchen settings.
On a bookshelf or floating shelf. Between rows of books or alone on a shelf, the geometric shape breaks up vertical lines and adds visual interest.
On a bedside table or nightstand. A single pot with an air plant or small succulent adds living color to a bedroom without taking up much surface area.
In a bathroom (with natural light). Air plants and small ferns appreciate the humidity. The ceramic finish handles bathroom moisture well.
On an entryway console or hallway shelf. A grouping of three signals a designed home from the moment guests walk in.
In a kids' room or nursery. Pastel Foliage in a nursery with air plants (no fragile leaves to break, no watering risks).
→ See the full collection and pick a set for your space
How to choose a set for your room palette
Three practical rules from 30 years of teaching color and composition:
Match the planter palette to the room temperature. Warm-toned rooms (wood, cream, brass, terracotta) suit warm palettes like Butterfly Bloom or Leaf by Leaf. Cool-toned rooms (white, grey, marble, painted cabinets) suit cooler palettes like Pixeled Canopy or Pastel Foliage.
Match the planter palette to the room style. Modern workspaces and design-forward rooms suit Pixeled Canopy. Soft, calm, traditional rooms suit Pastel Foliage. Plant-collector kitchens and warm family rooms suit Leaf by Leaf or Butterfly Bloom.
Match the planter scale to the surface scale. A set of three small hex pots is the right size for a desk, windowsill, or shelf. On a large empty surface (a big console, a long counter), the set may look small. Consider a different scale of planter for those spaces.
Hexagonal planter sets as gifts
A complete hexagonal planter set is a strong gift choice because the recipient gets everything they need to display plants from day one. No follow-up purchase required.
Common gift occasions:
Housewarming gifts. A new home benefits from living color in the smallest spaces (desks, kitchen windowsills, bathroom counters). Pastel Foliage and Pixeled Canopy work for most modern interiors.
Mother's Day and Father's Day. For the parent who loves plants or already has every gardening tool, a curated planter set is a quiet upgrade they would not buy themselves.
Baby shower gifts. Pastel Foliage for a nursery, paired with low-maintenance air plants, brings living color into a baby's room safely.
Move-in gifts for college students or first apartments. Small space, small budget, small plants. A complete planter set is the rare gift that fits the actual size of a dorm room or first apartment.
Birthday gifts for plant lovers. Leaf by Leaf is the dedicated pick for friends with established plant collections who would appreciate a thoughtful addition.
Office gifts. A small planter set on a desk doubles as decor and a daily mental break. Pixeled Canopy works in most office aesthetics.
→ Browse all 4 designs to find the right gift
How to care for plants in mini ceramic pots
Small pots require slightly different care than full-size planters. The basics:
Soil volume is limited. A 2.5-inch pot holds about a tablespoon of soil. This means soil dries faster than in larger pots, and there is less soil to buffer over-watering mistakes. Water less, but check more often.
Drainage is essential. The drainage holes in each Tree Art Store pot let excess water escape. Empty the bamboo tray underneath after watering to avoid the pot sitting in standing water.
Mist instead of soak for sensitive plants. Air plants need misting, not soaking. The 50ml glass spray bottle included with every set is sized for daily misting of air plants and weekly misting for humidity-loving succulents.
Transplant when needed. Plants grow. A succulent that has outgrown a 2.5-inch pot can be transplanted to a larger container, with a smaller propagated cutting taking its place in the hex planter.
Keep the planter clean. The glazed ceramic surface is easy to wipe down with a damp cloth. The bamboo trays can be rinsed and dried.
Three styling tips from 30 years of art teaching
Three principles Sylvia Levy brings from teaching art and composition at Tree Art Studio for over 30 years:
Stagger plant heights across the three pots. A short succulent, a medium air plant, a taller flowering plant. The varied heights add visual rhythm. Three identical plants in identical pots reads as a row, not a composition.
Echo the planter palette in something nearby. A plant pot on a desk reads more intentional when the colors in the planter design appear somewhere else on the desk, like a notebook, a pen cup, or a small framed photo. The repetition makes the planter feel like part of the styling.
Position the trays slightly forward of the pots. The bamboo tray should peek out from under the front edge of the pot, visible as a base. A tray hidden entirely under the pot reads as missing. A tray visible as a base reads as designed.
Frequently asked questions
What size are the hexagonal pots?
Each pot is 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.0 inches (6.4 × 6.4 × 5.1 cm). The bamboo trays are 2.75 × 2.75 × 0.4 inches (7.0 × 7.0 × 1.0 cm). These are mini desktop planters, sized for small plants.
How much soil can fit in each pot?
Roughly one to two tablespoons of soil, depending on the plant and how much root space is needed. The compact size suits small specimens that prefer not to be over-potted.
Are the pots suitable for air plants?
Yes, ideally. Air plants need no soil and live happily in the dry pot, sometimes with decorative rocks underneath. The included glass spray bottle is the right tool for daily misting.
Are the bamboo trays water resistant?
Yes. Bamboo is naturally water resistant. Empty the tray after watering to prevent prolonged moisture exposure.
Do the pots have drainage holes?
Yes. Every pot in every Tree Art Store hexagonal planter set has a drainage hole in the base. The bamboo tray catches runoff.
Do succulents prefer deep or shallow pots?
Shallow. Succulent roots spread laterally near the surface rather than deep into the soil. The 2-inch depth of these pots is well-suited to small succulents.
What plants are included with the set?
None. Plants are not included. Buying plants locally lets you choose species that match your light, climate, and care schedule.
What is the spray bottle for?
Misting plants. Air plants, humidity-loving succulents, and propagated cuttings all benefit from regular misting. The 50ml glass bottle is sized for daily use.
What are the decorative rocks for?
Topping the planted pot for a finished look, helping retain soil moisture, and offering a polished low-maintenance display. 200g is included with every set.
Can the planters go outdoors?
The high-fired glazed ceramic is weather resistant, but extended outdoor exposure to freezing temperatures or harsh sun can shorten the planter's lifespan. Indoor display is recommended for best longevity.
Are they suitable as gifts?
Yes. Common gift occasions include housewarmings, Mother's Day, baby showers, first apartments, birthdays for plant lovers, and office gifts.
Where can I see these in person?
Follow @bytreeart on Instagram for photographs of the full collection in real homes, or reach out via the contact form to ask about local Miami availability.
Most popular hexagonal planter sets by use case
For modern desks and home offices: Pixeled Canopy. Graphic pattern, suits contemporary workspaces.
For nurseries and soft palettes: Pastel Foliage. Calm pastel palette, the gentlest pick.
For plant lovers and kitchens: Leaf by Leaf. Playful botanical artwork.
For warm interiors and gift settings: Butterfly Bloom. Floral palette, the most giftable design.
→ See all 4 hexagonal planter sets at Tree Art Store · Free shipping on orders over $65
