A plant stand is a piece of furniture designed to support one or more potted plants, raising them to a height where they can be seen and receive light. Forms range from single stands for one jardinière to tiered stands, étagères and wirework structures holding many pots.
Plant stands became fashionable in the nineteenth century as the Victorian enthusiasm for ferns, palms and exotic house plants grew alongside the spread of conservatories. Typical examples include tall mahogany or walnut pedestals, bamboo and lacquered stands in the Aesthetic and Japanese taste, cast iron and wirework tiers for the conservatory, and Art Nouveau stands with sinuous carved or bent forms. Marble or onyx tops were common on finer pieces, and many stands were sold with matching ceramic jardinières. When buying, check stability and look for water damage, staining or rot to tops and feet, as these stands were frequently watered in place. A good plant stand is equally effective holding a sculpture, lamp or vase, and it is useful for introducing height and greenery into a corner, window bay or hallway.
