How to Choose The...

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.