Rattan vs Wicker: What's the Difference (and Where Cane Fits In)

"Rattan" and "wicker" are used interchangeably on furniture listings, but they aren't the same thing. One is a plant; the other is a weaving technique. Here's what rattan is, what wicker furniture is, how rattan vs wicker compares indoors and out, and where cane fits in.

What is rattan?

Rattan is a climbing palm native mainly to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Its long, solid stems are strong, flexible when steamed, and can be bent into frames. The outer skin of the stem is peeled into thin strips called cane, and the core is cut into round "reed." So rattan is a material.

What is wicker furniture?

Wicker is a weaving technique, not a material. Wicker furniture can be woven from rattan, willow, bamboo, seagrass, paper cord, or synthetic resin. When people say "wicker chair," they mean the woven look, whatever it's made of.

What is cane?

Cane is the glossy outer bark of the rattan stem, cut into fine strips. It's typically woven into an open, hexagonal pattern (often called cane webbing) on chair seats, headboards, and cabinet doors. Cane furniture is therefore a kind of rattan furniture.

Rattan vs wicker: side by side

	Natural rattan	Resin (synthetic) wicker	Natural wicker (willow, seagrass, paper)
What it is	Palm stems and cane	PE or PVC strands woven over a metal frame	Plant fibers woven over a frame
Look	Warm, natural variation	Uniform; can look natural or modern	Natural, textured
Indoors	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Outdoors	Covered porch only	Yes, if UV-stabilized HDPE	No
Weight	Light	Light to medium	Light
Care	Keep dry; avoid sun	Hose down; very low maintenance	Keep dry

The verdict: choose natural rattan or cane for indoor warmth and texture. For an uncovered patio, choose all-weather resin wicker, ideally HDPE (high-density polyethylene) with a powder-coated aluminum frame, which resists UV, rain, and rust. Avoid cheap PVC wicker outdoors; it cracks in sun.

What is a rattan chair?

A rattan chair has a frame made from bent rattan stems, often with a woven rattan, cane, or wicker seat and back. Popular forms include peacock chairs, papasan chairs, egg and hanging chairs, and rattan dining chairs. Outdoor "rattan chairs" are almost always resin wicker made to look like rattan.

How to tell what you're buying

1. Read the materials line: "PE rattan," "resin wicker," "all-weather wicker," or "synthetic rattan" all mean plastic weave.
2. Check the frame: natural rattan furniture usually has rattan or wood frames; outdoor resin wicker uses aluminum or steel.
3. Look at the strands: natural rattan varies in thickness and color; synthetic strands are uniform.

How to care for rattan and wicker

Natural rattan and cane

• Dust with a soft brush or vacuum brush attachment.
• Wipe with a barely damp cloth and a little mild soap; dry quickly.
• Keep out of direct sun and away from radiators; very dry air makes cane brittle.
• Tighten sagging cane seats by dampening the underside lightly and letting them dry.

Resin wicker

• Hose off or wash with mild soap and a soft brush.
• Store cushions indoors and cover the furniture in winter.

See our outdoor furniture materials guide and outdoor furniture care guide for more.

Shop this guide

• Set of Two Natural Rattan Open Back Dining Arm Chairs
• Set of Two Round Wicker Club Armchairs with Seat Cushion
• Set of Two Black Faux Rattan Heavy Duty Plastic Outdoor Stacking Arm Chairs

The Short Version

Rattan is a tropical palm used for frames and cane; wicker is a weave that can be made from rattan, willow, seagrass, or plastic. Use natural rattan and cane indoors for warmth; use UV-stabilized HDPE resin wicker on aluminum for outdoor furniture.

Furnishing the patio? Shop Outdoor Chairs and check the weave material on each listing.