How to find cheap terracotta pots on Facebook Marketplace

As with many independent store chains, the prices on Facebook Marketplace have gotten a little out of hand. Just five years ago, I used the platform to furnish an entire one-bedroom apartment for less than $1,000. Now I can’t find an ungreased armchair for less than $200. What once seemed like a virtual yard sale full of bargains now looks like an overpriced antique mall that I can no longer afford.

But there is one timeless piece that I was still able to grab at such a low price that it almost feels like a steal: large terracotta pots.

I’m not talking about the basic planters you grab at the nursery, but the antique-style accent pots that make your front porch look like an ancient Roman courtyard. The older and more durable it is, the better – but also definitely more expensive if you buy it “new”.

Vintage-style pots, less than 8 inches, will run you about $30 from major brands like Pottery Barn, Rejuvenation and World Market. But once you hit that 15-inch and higher filter, prices jump into the hundreds.

Unfortunately, low consumable stores aren’t much better either. I rarely see large containers for less than $75. Instead of settling for either option, I decided to do some online research — and it definitely paid off. Now I bought some terracotta pots on Facebook Marketplace up to 16 inches tall, for $15 each.

I haven’t even told you the best part yet. Since most people try to unload them as soon as possible and don’t want to deal with the pain of transplanting, they list them with the plant included.

Typing “terracotta pot” into the search bar is an obvious first step. Anyone familiar with the platform knows that there’s a lot of scrolling and searching involved when you’re looking for something general. But FB Marketplace is a game, and if you want to find a diamond in the rough, you must follow the golden rule:

The less specific the listing, the lower the price.

Searching for phrases like “antique terracotta” or “old terracotta” can get me the exact pots I’m looking for, but they also fetch higher prices because the seller knows exactly what they have. If I’m trying to get a deal, I don’t want to buy from an interior designer who is familiar with the brand and rarity of a particular piece. I want to buy from someone who just sees a dirty old flower pot they are trying to get rid of.

So I like to look for the following:

These catch-all terms require more digging, but like spending an afternoon rummaging through a thrift store, it’s almost always worth it. And if that initial search comes up empty, I’ll turn to the factory itself.

As mentioned earlier, the cheapest (and largest) terra cotta pots I’ve found are listed with a plant included. So if I’m looking for a pot that can hold a tree, cactus, or other giant green friend, I’ll adjust my search to include those keywords. If I’m lucky, I might come across a listing for someone trying to get rid of their giant ficus and the pot it comes in. At the time of this writing, I’m planning a download for that exact combo for $20.

If you’re finally ready to say goodbye to those cheap plastic pots you’ve had since college, Facebook Marketplace is a great place to start. But before you make the transaction official, here are a few things to keep in mind.

The weight of these pots is the main reason people choose to sell them cheap – especially if they come with a built-in plant. These things are heavy with a capital “H.” So, before you decide to buy, make sure you have the right vehicle, manpower and moving equipment for safe transportation.

If you are buying a pot and plant combination, do your research on the plant itself. I once bought a pot with a fire plant succulent that I naively trimmed without realizing that its juice could cause severe skin irritation. Learn from my mistakes.

This goes for every purchase on Facebook Marketplace: Always bet on the lower price. You have nothing to lose by asking, and you’d be surprised how much people are willing to bargain to get rid of something quickly.

If you can offer same-day pickup, you’ll have even more leverage — and more room in your budget to buy more plants.