Choosing the right pot for your plant

Choosing the right pot is key to ensuring your plant is well looked after and can thrive. Read on to learn about which factors you should take into account when picking your next pot.

Pick the right type of pot

Select the material that best suits the plant and growing conditions. Terracotta pots tend to dry out quickly, which makes it an ideal pot for indoor drought-loving plants. Glazed terracotta doesn’t dry out as fast. Plastic is lightweight and durable and works well both inside and out. Wood offers a natural look that blends well into garden settings. Wooden containers work best outdoors as the wood breaks down over time. Glazed ceramic pots are durable, versatile and perfect for indoor plants. Concrete pots have the best durability, so are best used outdoors, but they can be quite heavy.

Does size matter?

Yes! If a plant is too small for the pot, it will tend to tip over. As well, the soil will dry more slowly, making your plant susceptible to root rot. If your plant is too big, the soil will dry out, and you’ll need to water it more frequently. Your plant could also become root-bound and have stunted growth.

Do I need to repot?

Often newly-purchased plants have already outgrown their plastic pots. Without proper repotting, the plant will not grow to its potential. Repotting doesn’t necessarily mean a larger pot. It could just mean changing out the soil. Eventually, you will need a larger pot.

What to do if you don’t have a saucer?

If you have a pot without a saucer, you could use a mismatched saucer, and add pretty rocks or marbles to bring the two styles together. Another idea is to turn your pot into a cachepot. Place the pot inside a larger pot that doesn’t have a hole.

What to do if your pot doesn’t have a hole?

Pretty much all plants require drainage, therefore having a hole at the bottom of the pot is essential. There are however many pots available that do not have a hole, known as ‘Cachepots’. These are designed to have nursery pots placed inside them. When it comes to watering, you remove the nursery pot from inside the Cachepot, water the plant, wait for it to drain and then place it back! 

• https://www.sunset.com/garden/houseplants-does-your-planter-need-a-saucer
• https://www.bioadvanced.com/articles/choosing-right-pot-plants
• https://www.miraclegro.com/en-us/library/container-gardening/how-pick-right-pot-your-plant
• https://www.thesill.com/blogs/the-basics/how-to-choose-right-pot-houseplants
• https://gardeningmentor.com/container-gardening/