How To Choose Right Pot for Plants

Every plant’s requirement is different when it comes to containers. Learn How To Choose Right Pot for Plants in this article!

Pots are essential aspects of container gardening and make plants accessible to everyone. They provide an ideal growing space where plants can nurture and thrive well. Selecting the right pot can be challenging for novice gardeners, but it becomes simple when you know different types of pots, their pros, and cons. Keep reading this article to learn How To Choose Right Pot for Plants!

Check out our article on making potting mix at home here

Types of Pots

1. Terra Cotta Pots

Made from clay and soil, they are easily available and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Here are the advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• Well-draining and ideal for plants that can’t stand water for long periods of time like succulents.
• Add a rustic vibe wherever you keep them and look beautiful!

Cons:

• Terracotta pots are fragile and break easily.
• You need to water the plants more frequently.

2. Plastic Pots

These pots are made from durable plastic and designed to last long. They are strong, lightweight, and come in a wide variety of colors. Plastic pots are easily available and affordable than other terracotta pots.

Pros:

• Weighs less than terracotta pots and easy to use.
• Offer more variety in colors and shapes than other kinds of containers.
• Very easy to clean, wash, and reuse.
• Perfect for starting seeds and plant propagation.

Cons:

• Cheap plastic pots are not durable and can’t last more than one-two seasons of gardening.
• Color fades with time, on exposure to direct sunlight.
• Can’t soak water and needs a lot of drainage holes

3. Ceramic Pots

Ceramic pots can brighten up any living space with their elegance! They are scratch-resistant and ideal for growing succulents, small plants that need less watering. The drawback is they cost more than plastic and terracotta pots.

Pros:

• Keep the soil moist.
• Look gorgeous and add a tropical touch to home decor.
• Porous and waterproof, resulting in better aeration for plants.

Cons:

• It is difficult to repot plants in ceramic containers.
• They are heavy and not recommended for plants that need frequent moving between indoors and outdoors.
• Come with limited drainage and it is hard to make more drainage holes at the bottom.

How To Choose Right Pot for Plants

Keep Drainage in Mind

If you are fond of growing indoor plants, always choose a pot with good drainage. It will prevent waterlogging that can cause root rot and harm your houseplant. Terracotta or plastic pot will be a good choice over ceramic because they come with fewer drainage holes. However, if you are missing the elegance of ceramic pots in terracotta pots, you can adorn them with acrylic paint!

Decide the Right Size

Choose a pot that goes well with the size of your plant. It will help the plant to thrive well without the dangers of root rot and stunted growth. If your plant outgrows the old one, transplant it to a slightly bigger pot. Avoid using too large and too small sizes for better plant health.