Why Are Bonsai Pots So Expensive?

If you have been shopping around for bonsai pots, you may notice that they can get a little expensive.

This can be for a number for reasons, which I will get into below, but basically the size, quality and production methods are all going to affect the price of the bonsai pots.

A lot of work can go into creating a bonsai pot, so when you start to add everything up it is understandable how they can end up being expensive, however, they are usually worth the high price.

Not All Bonsai Pots Are Expensive

Before we start talking about why bonsai post are so expensive I think its import to recognise that not all pots are expensive.

They are very much on a spectrum and the following factors I am going to discuss below will influence the price.

The Size Of The Pot Changes The Price

In general, the bigger the pot, the higher the price will be.

Of course a very large plastic pot is probably going to be cheaper than a very small, but rare ceramic pot. If you keep all things the same, apart from the size, then you will see a difference in price.

A large plastic pot is going to be more expensive than a small plastic one and likewise, a large ceramic pot will be more expensive than a smaller ceramic one.

You are literally paying for more material when you are buying a larger version, so it is only natural that the larger pots will be more expensive.   

Different Materials Are Different Prices

Bonsai pots are made from different materials. The usual suspects are plastic, ceramic and mica, but of course there can still be some variance within these three categories, especially with the ceramics.

Some materials are just more sought after, more rare, have better qualities, or just harder to work with and this will all effect the final price of the pot.

Generally speaking plastic pots will be cheaper than clay pots, but as I motioned above, size can play a role too, which again is going to influence the final price. These two factors alone can really make a broad spectrum of pricing occur between pots.

The Production Method Will Effect The Pots Price

Not all pots are made equally, quite literally. Some pot will be handmade and others will be made on a production line in a factory.

The handmade pots will take a long time to create and a lot of skill, as one person is slowly crafting the pot, where as factory made pot can be put together very quickly thanks to moulds, which allow them to mass produce the pot quickly.

This alone is enough to affect the final price, but then you can look at other areas of the production method to see how this can alter things.

Potters can pick between premade glazes, or can mix their own, both will of course have different price points which is going to be reflected in the final price.

You also have the method of firing too, some pots are fired in an electric kiln, while others will be fuelled by a wood wire. Both kilns are going to cost very different prices to run and require a different level of skill and man power, so again, either one of these is going to affect the final price.   

(you can read more about – How Are Bonsai Pots Made? (The Complete Journey Of Clay Through The Production Process))

The Design Can Effect The Price

For most pots, this isn’t really a factor, but it can still affect things a little bit.

Some pots are going to be harder to make, or just generally need more time or skill to create, based on their design. If you look at things like the ornate detail that goes into the feet, small things like this make the design more challenging to make and therefore affect the price.

This going to be especially true if the pot is handmade, as more skill will be required to complete the pot. 

The Overall Quality Of The Pot Will Change The Price

If you look at everything I have mentioned so far it can basically be bundled together and called “quality”.

If you handle enough pots at different price points you will quickly start to see the difference in quality.

A cheap factory made pot just doesn’t have the same feel as something that has been handmade; the final finish just isn’t the same. It makes sense that the higher quality pots cost more, everything about them is just better, or more premium.    

(You can read more about – Should You Buy A Handmade Bonsai Pot?)

The Age Of The Pot Can Matter

The age of the pot can actually change the price. This will really only happen if the pot is very old and is now an antique, but as your own pots age they may go up in value.

Your pots will actually patina over time, which can often be a sought after trait and eventually they will become antique pots and could sell for a higher price than if it was brand new.

The Rarity Of The Pot Can Make It Expensive

The rarity of the pot can affect the price too. This could be linked to the above point about age. An antique bonsai pot is going to be a lot rarer than a massed produce pot that has been made today.

The rarity could also be due to the potter. If your pot is handmade it is much more likely to be a unique piece, making it rarer. You may also find some potters work is higher in demand, and if they don’t make so many pots, then it will make the pot rarer.

This is especially true if the potter has passed away, as now there will be no more new pots made.  

Pots Are Not Expensive When You Consider Their Longevity

I think it is easy to look at pot and think it is expensive and maybe there and then it is …but you need to think of the lifetime of pot.

While pots are fragile and can break, they are also very long lasting and if cared for they are basically indefinite.

When you spread the cost of the pot out over a number of years …or even decades, the price isn’t actually too bad. You also have the option to sell the pot and while you may not get all your money back, you would still get some, regardless of how much you used it.

The Weight Of The Pot Can Affect The Price

The weight of the pot can affect the price you pay, but this will be more due to shipping costs if you are buying pots online.

Pots made out of ceramic will be heavier than plastic ones, and of course the size will affect things too and can make things heavier.

If you are buying online you can’t really get around this, it’s just part of the process.

Conclusion

Hopefully now you can see what different factors can go into affecting the price of your bonsai pot.

If you are looking at a pot and thinking it is expensive compared to another, just go through some of the things I have talked about above and it will start to make sense why one may be more than the other.

(You can read more about – How To Select A Bonsai Pot For Your Tree)