How much weight can a typical indoor plant stand hold?

It varies dramatically. Listings in this category range from roughly 50 lbs total (small two-tier metal stands) up to 200 lbs (heavier wrought-iron designs). Verified-purchase reviewers consistently warn that the advertised capacity assumes evenly distributed weight; concentrating a heavy ceramic pot on one shelf will bow slats or destabilize cheaper stands. If you plan to hold large pots over 8 inches, look for stands that explicitly list per-tier capacity and use solid wood or thick metal tubing rather than MDF.