A rotating display for up to six small plants (Source: Jacob Cardwell — Printables)

Easily rearrange your plants with this rotating Ferris wheel display — no supports necessary! This multiple-part print is actually a rather simple design, and all components fit together nicely. 

A pot designed to make your plant look like an erupting volcano (Source: Three_Body_Problem — Printables)

Creatively display your succulents as erupting volcanoes with this design from Three_Body_Problem. This file comes with both a smaller and larger option so that users can select the proper size to fit their plant. 

A small succulent planter in the shape of a turtle (Source: nivekmai — Printables)

Bring your plants to life with this planter pot shaped like a turtle. Adding blossoming plants completes the turtle’s shell! 

A small planter with a maze on the sides (Source: charmed_electron — Printables)

This pot’s exterior maze design is simple, yet eye catching. Store smaller plants in style with this unique model. 

A cylindrical planter with self-watering capabilities (Source: parallel goods  — Thingiverse)

Need flexibility in your watering routine? No problem — try this self-watering planter! With its own incorporated water reservoir, you won’t have to worry about a daily watering schedule. 

Planter with winding staircase and doors (Source: Qrome — Printables)

Another small planter perfect for succulents, this tower-shaped pot incorporates a water drain on its lower level as well as small vents that allow the soil to breathe. 

Tower of stackable vases (Source: Cisco  — Printables)

Grow more of your plants in less space with these stackable plant vases. This planter’s compelling design allows for plenty of adjustments and customization — you can choose between 5 different forms and 3 different sizes. 

Seedlings in small boxed starters (Source: Quint  — Printables)

This simple yet innovative design allows you to get your plants started without having to worry about watering. The printed basin can store up to 9 starter plants and also serves as a water reservoir!

A traditionally shaped bonsai pot (Source: Jhon DL — Printables)

This minimalistic design mimics that of a traditional bonsai pot. Adjusting this model’s size makes it practical for both developing and fully grown bonsai plants. 

A circular pot with an empty center (Source: Isi8bit— Printables)

This pot’s unique shape mimics a donut with its empty center. You can place multiple plants in this pot and even have room for storage in the middle! 

A desk-sized rock garden planter (Source: Mikael Pawlus Design — Printables)

Inspired by natural landscapes, this print mimics the appearance of an outdoor rock garden, but in the perfect size for your desktop! 

A small, hollow moon-shaped plant display (Source: PRINTSY— Printables)

This modern moon-shaped plant holder is the perfect addition to any office or bedroom. It pairs perfectly with succulents and other small tabletop plants. 

Rustic-looking, wheelbarrow-shaped flower pot (Source: Creatures and Theming — Printables)

​This cartoon-style wheelbarrow is the perfect addition to any lawn or garden. The planter was designed to look wooden and rustic, which is great for blending into a natural outdoor landscape.

A square, box planter in the style of Santorini (Source: SlugboardSlim — Thingiverse)

​Inspired by the beauty of the Grecian islands, this modern planter pot is the perfect addition to any home or workspace. The design even includes water drains that fill the mimicked stone swimming pools of Santorini.

A double hedgehog planter (Source: Phoenixrubyfire — Thingiverse)

This woodland-themed planter is perfect for two small plants on the same watering schedule. These cuddling hedgehogs are connected in the center, so your plants are almost embracing too. 

A solid cube planter suspended within  larger cube supports (Source: Wozil — Thingiverse)

A contemporary design for any sized plant, this modern hypercube planter is simple yet eye-catching. Though support is necessary for this print, it is relatively easy to run. 

An engaged Ultimaker 3D printer head 

DLP Technology from ASIGA

Sinterit SLS Demonstration

When purchasing a 3D printer, it is vital to consider the difference between open-source and closed-source platforms. A closed-source platform refers to a 3D printer that does not provide flexibility in terms of material brand. These production systems are centered around a sole manufacturer, which means that they are only compatible with one specific brand of material. Users who do not wish to expand beyond a limited scope of materials might prefer a closed-source platform, but generally speaking, members of the additive manufacturing community find closed-source platforms quite limiting. 
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Though users tend to prefer open-source platforms, manufacturers typically prefer contriving production systems that are closed-source so that they can maximize their material sales. Over time, users have found this restrictive and costly, and there is a growing industry preference towards systems that are open-source.

Open-source 3D printers allow users to print with materials from any provider, which is advantageous for those who want to experiment with different materials, along with those who are simply able to find cheaper material alternatives. Fundamentally, these systems are more attractive to users because their production process does not have to become dominated by a sole brand. Open-source platforms also provide users with a larger community of those contributing to shared files, advice, and tips. Because of this, open-source systems typically lead to quicker industry developments simply because of a higher collective collaboration rate.

When it comes down to selecting a new printer, buyers should have a full understanding of these different models for production systems. Without understanding the true loss in flexibility, users might trap themselves into selecting a closed-source system based upon its standardization and simplicity alone.