In the Know | Rattan, Wicker, Cane What's the difference?

Grown in tropical regions across South-east Asia and parts of Africa and Australia, Rattan is a member of the palm family that climbs up the trunks and branches of trees. A close relation to bamboo, rattan is the second-fastest-growing material (after willow), and it regenerates within five to seven years. The rattan itself is the hard, outer core of the palm plant and the other parts of the plant are used for other purposes. Rattan’s fast-growing nature and its hardiness make it perfect for use in furniture construction. It also means that it’s a lot more sustainable than certain other types of wood. However, the advantages don’t end there: this natural material also has the benefit of being both lightweight and very durable, as well as having good flexibility and natural protection against weather. All these properties probably explain why it’s such a popular choice for outdoor furniture. It can be easily moved, stacked when not in use and, as it’s more porous than other similar materials, it can be treated and painted, so will last for a long time and can be regularly spruced up to keep it looking fresh. The natural look and feel of rattan means that it also works well in conservatories, atriums, roof terraces and other indoor-outdoor spaces, particularly when paired with large plants and foliage.

Where rattan and cane are materials, wicker refers to the actual process of weaving natural materials and is the collective term for woven furniture. As such, you may see cane or rattan furniture referred to as ‘wicker furniture’, ‘wicker cane’, or ‘wicker rattan’. Wicker does not only refer to rattan and cane, it can also involve willow, bamboo and reed. More recently, it has been used as a process for synthetic materials too. It is a technique that is thousands of years old, as it requires only natural materials, skill and time to produce hardwearing, useful products such as baskets, boxes and floor matting. Natural wicker isn’t weatherproof, so it’s worth noting that any products made using this technique shouldn’t be intended for outdoor use. With regards to wicker furniture, it will require different maintenance to rattan or cane, so always check the care details when you buy wicker furniture. If you’re using rattan or cane furniture for your exterior project, then complementing it with wicker inside your venue will create a flow between the spaces.

When you’re next considering one of these products for your venue, you can now choose the one that works best for its intended position and usage. Although they have similarities and their origins are the same, rattan and cane have their own unique properties, making each more suited for different purposes, while wicker is a process that links them together.