Rattan is considered to be one of the strongest woods available, since its grain grows vertically instead of forming the concentric rings of most other hardwoods. The straight rattan is usually steamed and then bent into the desired shape through the use of specialized shapers. Once the rattan has dried, it will retain its shape forever. These rattan poles are often used to form the frames of what will become rattan or wicker furniture.

Here's where the difference between rattan and wicker lies. Rattan is a specific material, but wicker is the general process of weaving rattan or other materials into finished goods. A rattan chair is definitely made from rattan, but a wicker chair may use other materials such as straw or bamboo slats around a rattan frame.

There is no material on Earth called wicker. Some manufacturers may even use the phrase cane furniture in place of either rattan or wicker. It is essentially the same thing as wicker, but the material used in the weaving may or may not be rattan.