Yes: try some local garden centers. Any full-sized independent ones that may be present in your area might be the most likely to have what you are looking for. Or know where you can get them.

The bigger you want the more you may have to look. Depending on just how big you want.

Allison, do you have a species of plant picked out to put in the planter?

My woodworker husband made ours. Inside the tree is planted in a large nursery pot, and below that, a rubberized "saucer" from a farm store. This tree is more than 30 years old, trimmed periodically.

Depending on size of plant a plastic pot might be worth considering. We have a five foot tall Meyer lemon tree. In a ceramic pot it was far to heavy to move it in and out to deal with our Chicago weather. From late spring to late fall the tree is outside for winter we move the tree down into the basement with a grow light. Not perfect solution, but we get a lot of lemons all year long making the hassle worth it.

For indoor potted plants - and especially those of a large size - resin planters often make good sense. Extremely lightweight, they come in a myriad of sizes, shapes and colors; some with drainage holes and others intended as cache pots. Often retail nurseries or garden centers will carry them but you can certainly find them online as well. And because of weight, shipping is not nearly as much as one would expect. And many are made out of recycled products.

These will work equally well outdoors.

would winter be a good time for transplant??? .. presuming shes in winter ...

would an ID of the tree matter?

wonder if you might find more guidance in the houseplant or container forums ...

ken

I like baskets for plants. I put a large inexpensive bowl inside and place the plant in the bowl.

Thanks, everyone! I have yet to pick out a plant or container, but thinking a trip to the nursery will be a good starting point. I'm new to this!

I assume you have a place in your home that will provide sufficient light for the tree to survive. My wife has several large trees. There are only a few places in the house where the trees manage to survive because of light problems. Heating air flow patterns can also cause problems as it can dry the plant out.

If you plan on moving the tree from the house to the outside in the summer, then you need a manual two wheel truck to move it on. Some of my wife's trees are in pots that are about 18" tall and 20" in diameter. I suspect they are over 100 pounds. You don't pick them up and move them.

I have modified the standard two wheel hand truck by adding a 14" extension to the blade. This gives a bigger platform to put the tree on when you pick it up. With out it is difficult to get the pot to tip back when you go to lift it. You may also wish to add a modification to keep the round plant stable when it is leaning against the truck.

If you have steps to go up and down, you may wish to make some modifications. Mine are simple, a 2X4 that I put on each step so when I bring the pot up the steps, I do not have to go out and over the lip of the step.

If these are indoor/ outdoor plants there is another consideration. When out doors they are in an out door environment. That means they pick up spiders, snakes, frogs, lizards, all types of insects, and any thing else arount your house. Be prepared to deal with them when you bring your plants in, in the fall. This fall we were lucky; no spiders, 3 frogs, and 4 lizards. Our cat brought them to our attention.

Lastly make sure you are physically able to wrestle the trees around, working with these weights you can easily mess up your back.

You've all been super helpful! In addition to the large tree (TBD), I'm thinking of planting an espada plant (Sanseviera?) in a well-lit portion of the house. I was inspired by them years ago in Mexico City at Frida Kahlo's house. I like @gardengal48's suggestion of using resin planters, and like the look of the tall ones (like this 36"-tall one from Ursillis). Or one like this from Crate and Barrel.

My question becomes: what do you do with all the space in a tall planter? Filling it to the brim with potting soil seems heavy and unnecessary. Can you fill the bottom part of the tall planter with Styrofoam or some other filler substance? Or is potting soil the way to go?

Thanks for any insight!

Also, I think I've decided on a tree: White Bird of Paradise. Any tips and tricks related to this would be appreciated! Namely: Can I plant it in winter? I live in Denver and our house is kept at the temps recommended here. It'll have plenty of light. Looks like a 14" pot is recommended, which makes me feel better about not having to invest in an expensive, humongous one!

https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/bird-of-paradise-how-to-grow-care