How to Choose The Right Pots for Your Plants
Spring is around the corner. That means it's time to enjoy the visual treat of leaves fluttering and flowers swaying in the breeze. Spring is also an excellent time to give a kickstart to your indoor and outdoor garden and refresh your aesthetics as per the call of the season.
So, tend the lawn and dig some holes, fill the drab corners in your living room and tune-up tools. However, do not forget to play on the appeal by choosing the different types of pots for your container-grown plants. Take the guide to put your money plant, jade, bonsai, daffodils, lilies, roses, aloe vera and so many more indoor and outdoor greens in the most display-worthy pots. Read on:
1. Choose The Right Type of Pots
Container gardening is a rewarding experience if you have the right type of pots for your plants. There are basically five types of pots for plants that come with their set of pros and cons mentioned as under:
Plastic Pots
Pros
- Plastic pots are lightweight, cheapest and easiest to obtain.
- They come in various sizes, colours and designs
- They are easy to wash and reuse, thereby, making them easy maintenance.
Cons
- Can become brittle in extreme summer conditions.
Ceramic Pots
Pros
- Best for small plants and succulents
- Ceramic pots keep the soil moist, making it suitable for tropicals
- Come in amazing designs and glaze, best for indoor aesthetics.
Cons
- Ceramic pots are expensive
- They are heavy and can be difficult during shifting and rearranging.
Terracotta
Pros
- Terracotta pots are traditional and an affordable choice
- Quick to soak up water
- Suited for all plants & creates a traditional garden look.
Cons
- Easily breakable
- Not suited for places with high temperatures as it dries out quickly.
Wooden
Pros
- Provides insolation against heavy temperatures
- Can be built at home with old pallets
- They are durable.
Cons
- They require maintenance and need to be protected from weathering and pests
- They are heavy.
Concrete
Pros
- They are long-lasting and environment-friendly
- They are strong and stable
- Colour mixed with concrete is less likely to fade.
Cons
- They are extremely heavy and come in large sizes
- Prone to be stained with lime, mosses and mineral salts.
2. Go for The Right Pot Size
The right size is a must. A small pot will result in a bad growth of plants. A large pot will cause extra labour and cost in soiling and maintenance. If you are wondering which pot is best for plants as per the size, here’s a quick guide. a 10-inch diameter pot is perfect for small herbs, a 14-inch diameter pot is best for cabbage, collard, spinach, an 18-inch diameter pot can hold all greens in multiples whereas best plants for pots with 24-inch diameter are cucumber, artichoke, large pepper etc. The rule is to go for deeper pots for plants with larger roots and shallower pots for plants with smaller roots like those of succulents, cacti etc.
3. Check for Drainage
Drainage is a MUST for potted plants, lest it should cause root rot and result in death of your potted green. Plants don’t only need sun and water to grow but also require oxygen for the roots. Besides, they need to discard excess water during times of overwatering. In case, your plant smells sour, check if its drainage is not blocked.
4. Choose Durable Pots
Don’t go for cheap pots to avoid some bucks. A nice pot might cost a little extra but will help you skip the hassle of repotting at a shorter duration. Constant repotting can also disrupt the smooth growth of plants. So, go for durable pots that can last long and also, give space of growth to plants.
5. Make It Aesthetically Pleasing
You can pretty up your planters in a lot of ways to turn up your decor game. You can go for different types of pots for plants in terms of colours and shapes or DIY a plain one as per your creative skills. You can stamp the pots with a label, knit a pot cover, embellish them with seashells, cover them in fabric or decorate with laces
6. Consider Cost & Time
No matter how much you love spending time with your plants, you might just not have enough time to spare for them. Fulfil your hobbies by choosing plants online along with colourful and different types of pots for plants and add character to your indoor and outdoor garden.
7. Look for Porous Pots
Some plant pots allow better penetration of air and moisture than others. Different plant pots like glazed terracotta, metal and plastic allow less porosity and work best only for plants that require more water retention. Porous pots also let the water evaporate from the sides and allow the soil to cool down, preventing root rot.
Choosing the right pot for your plants is very important as it affects the growth of the plants. So, make sure you keep these tips in mind before going for one.
