Home and desk

Build a planter with the drainage you want

This tool generates a parametric planter with the drainage solution you choose and exports it as an STL. Enter height, body diameter and wall thickness in millimetres, pick a silhouette and texture, choose a base type, and the model is computed in your browser.

The body uses the same surface engine as the vase template, so all twelve textures from flutes to voronoi work here too. The difference is underneath: one of five base types adds drain holes, feet or a built-in water reservoir, which decides whether the planter needs a saucer at all.

Open in editor See the sizes

Free, no sign-up. Change the sizes in millimetres and download the STL.

Ready-made variants

Each variant is the same template with different settings. Follow the link and the editor opens with those values.

Cone, fluted, multiple holes

Silhouette: Cone · Cross-section: Circle · Surface texture: Flutes +11
Open this variant: Cone, fluted, multiple holes
Barrel, ripples, on feet

Silhouette: Barrel · Cross-section: Circle · Surface texture: Ripples +12
Open this variant: Barrel, ripples, on feet
Cylinder with water reservoir

Silhouette: Cylinder · Cross-section: Circle · Surface texture: Plain +9
Open this variant: Cylinder with water reservoir
Hex section, prism texture

Silhouette: Cone · Cross-section: Hexagon · Corner softness (%): 36 +11
Open this variant: Hex section, prism texture
Wavy silhouette, honeycomb

Silhouette: Wavy · Wave count: 5 · Cross-section: Circle +12
Open this variant: Wavy silhouette, honeycomb

Adjustable sizes

These values are edited in the editor's template panel. A number outside the range is clamped to the nearest limit automatically.

Size	Range	Default
Shape
Silhouette	Cylinder, Cone, Trumpet, Barrel, Egg, Double bulge, Wavy	Cone
Cross-section	Circle, Triangle, Square, Pentagon, Hexagon, Octagon	Circle
Surface texture	Plain, Flutes, Prism, Ripples, Chevron, Terraces, Bubbles, Honeycomb, Diamond, Basket weave, Scales, Voronoi	Flutes
Corner softness (%) *	0–100	36
Body twist *	0–1080 °	0 °
Curve strength (%) *	0–160	100
Wave count *	2–12	5
Dimensions
Height	40–300 mm	110 mm
Body diameter	40–180 mm	120 mm
Mouth diameter (% of body)	20–100	100
Base diameter (% of body)	20–100	68
Wall thickness	0.8–6 mm	2 mm
Floor thickness	0.8–10 mm	3 mm
Texture
Repeats around *	3–60	30
Repeats up *	2–40	14
Texture depth *	0.2–8 mm	2.6 mm
Drainage
Base	No holes, Center hole, Multiple holes, Feet, Water reservoir	Multiple holes
Hole diameter *	3–20 mm	9 mm
Hole count *	2–12	5
Foot height *	2–20 mm	10 mm
Feet *	3–8	4
Reservoir height *	5–50 mm	18 mm

Sizes marked with a star appear in the panel only when the related shape, style or option is active.

What it is used for

Small desk planter for succulents and cacti
120-180 mm body planter for a house plant
Basil and mint pots on a kitchen windowsill
Self-watering planter for low-maintenance plants
Propagation pot for cuttings and seedlings

Printing tips

Orientation: Print base down with the mouth up. The reservoir ceiling narrows from the wall with a 45° chamfer, so the false floor is never left hanging.
Layer height: 0.24 mm is enough for texture and saves time. Fine honeycomb and scale textures read better at 0.2 mm.
Infill: 0% infill with 3 perimeters. Soil and water add weight, so never drop the floor below 3 mm.
Supports: Not needed at most settings. With feet, the underside bridges between the feet and a wide planter may need support; the flat centre of a reservoir is also a bridge, so keep bridging enabled.
Material: Use ASA or another UV-stable material outdoors, because PLA turns brittle in one season of sun. PETG is the balanced indoor choice against both water and damp soil. PLA only suits dry indoor use.

Tips

Soil moisture can weep through the wall; print decorative planters with 3 perimeters and a solid floor, or drop a plastic nursery pot inside.
Keep drain holes at 8-10 mm; smaller ones clog with soil.
With feet, 10 mm height lets water run off without the base sitting in it.

Drainage and the water reservoir

The five base types match different watering habits. A solid base suits using the planter as a decorative cover with a plastic pot inside. A centre hole cuts one large opening, while multiple holes arrange 2 to 12 holes in a circle; both need a saucer underneath.

Succulents: multiple holes, 5-6 holes at 9 mm
House plants: feet base, 10 mm feet
Low-maintenance plants: reservoir, 15-18 mm deep
Decorative cover: solid base with a nursery pot inside

Silhouette, texture and wall thickness

The planter offers seven silhouettes: cylinder, cone, trumpet, barrel, egg, double bulge and wavy. Cone and trumpet make repotting easier, while barrel and egg give more volume at the same height. The wavy form takes a wave count from 2 to 12.

Easy repotting: cone or trumpet silhouette
Most volume per height: barrel or egg
Outdoors: 2.4-3 mm wall in ASA
A textured surface hides soil staining that a plain one shows

Frequently asked questions

Will a 3D printed planter leak?

A PETG or ASA planter printed in normal mode with 3 perimeters and a solid floor holds soil moisture. Single-wall vase-mode prints do weep, so use a saucer if it sits on a windowsill.

How long does it last outdoors?

A planter printed in ASA lasts several seasons. PLA becomes brittle and cracks after a single summer in the sun, so do not choose it for outdoor use.

How does the reservoir get filled?

It fills through the hole in the middle of the false floor. Water the soil from above and the excess drops into the reservoir for the plant to draw up. If you want an overflow, drill a small hole in the side wall yourself.

Similar templates

Set the sizes to fit your part

Open the template in the editor, enter your values and download a print-ready STL. No account needed.

Open in editor

Ready-made variants

Cone, fluted, multiple holes

Barrel, ripples, on feet

Cylinder with water reservoir

Hex section, prism texture

Wavy silhouette, honeycomb