What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects them on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £25 (~$33) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £21 (~$28) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £16 (~$22) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £11 (~$15) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £6 (~$8) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
On garden machinery, whether it starts from cold rather than warm. On glass and ceramics, chips and hairline cracks that do not show in a photograph.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether plant pots is worth what is being asked:
- Cracks from frost damage
- Chipped rims and bases
- Thin plastic pots, worth almost nothing
- Missing drainage holes
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Large terracotta and glazed ceramic pots
- Frost-proof construction
- Aged patina on terracotta, which buyers like
- Matching sets and graduated sizes
Common faults and fakes
Reproduction and ‘in the style of’ pieces sold as originals, particularly in glassware and lighting.
Ask for a video of machinery starting from cold. On glass, ask the seller to photograph the piece against a bright window, which reveals cracks.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about plant pots, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Say only what you know. Frost-damaged terracotta flakes apart over a winter and buyers who garden have learned to ask.
Check every one. A decorative cachepot without drainage is a different product from a planting pot.
Decide first. Pots are heavy and low value, so splitting rarely justifies the extra handling for either side.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check for hairline cracks, especially near the base
- State whether the pots are frost-proof
- Group them into a bundle rather than listing singly
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The whole group laid out together, countable
- A matching set stacked or lined up
- The base of one pot showing drainage and any mark
- Any crack, chip, frost flaking or missing saucer
Details to confirm before you commit
- How many pots, and diameter and height of each size
- Material — terracotta, glazed ceramic, plastic, stone or composite
- Whether frost proof, and whether saucers are included
- Whether drainage holes are present and clear, plus any crack or chip
Live plant pots listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse home & garden for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
March to July is the main window, with a smaller autumn one. Almost no demand in winter.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have plant pots sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell plant pots for what to photograph and how to price, or what plant pots are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used plant pots?
Around £2 to £16 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check plant pots before buying?
Ask for a video of machinery starting from cold. On glass, ask the seller to photograph the piece against a bright window, which reveals cracks.
Is buying plant pots second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. On garden machinery, whether it starts from cold rather than warm. On glass and ceramics, chips and hairline cracks that do not show in a photograph.
See also: all buying guides · plant pots value guide · selling plant pots · Home & Garden · condition grades.