It’s crucial to pick the appropriate pot for your plant! Your choice of planter impacts the rate of soil evaporation, plant growth, and root health. And this article offers some straightforward guidelines to remember when you buy pots to ensure the health of your plants.
There are three major categories of pots: ceramic/glazed, terra cotta/clay, and plastic. Choosing the appropriate one according to your plant and usage is most important. So here are a few things to remember about each material:
Terracotta
Terracotta pots, which come in various sizes and shapes, look fantastic virtually everywhere, and their earthy hues enhance the attractiveness of almost every plant. Terracotta, made of porous, iron-rich clay, has the capacity to “breathe,” which helps keep the soil cool and healthy by enabling excess water to drain from the plant’s roots. Meanwhile, terracotta is also often delicate and may dry out relatively fast, especially in sunny places, which is its biggest drawback.
Plastic
Plastic is a fantastic option if you don’t care about the container’s aesthetics or if you have a plant that will outgrow the planted pot. Plastic plant pots are sturdy, effective in maintaining moisture and cost less. Additionally, it is lightweight, making it perfect if you’re considering renovating your garden. Meanwhile, if you intend to place these pots in an area with a lot of sunlight, avoid using black or dark plastic pots. These hues’ extreme heat may harm soft roots as they absorb heat.
Concrete
One drawback of concrete is its weight, but it’s perfect for incorporating tall plants and trees that require extra support. Additionally, it offers excellent heat insulation and safeguards the vulnerable root system by preserving a cosy soil environment. Also, concrete planters may be left outside all winter long without them suffering harm, and this is advantageous as you most likely don’t want to move.
Wood
Among the most valuable and organic containers for gardening, wooden planters have a nice appearance, keep the water well, and are light. So when picking a rigid container, make sure it is made of non-perishable wood, such as cedar or redwood. It has a high-quality structure because the wood contracts and expands when exposed to different temperatures. You may also buy pots made of pine and conifers, but to stop the decay, they must be sprayed with non-toxic paint or stain.
What’s Next?
The following important factor to consider when deciding on a material is the size. Although many plants want to stretch out, having too much or too little room might be problematic! So, if the container is too big, there might be too much water and a substantial amount of nutrients that will not get absorbed. Meanwhile, the roots may get constricted if the container is too tiny, and there won’t be enough room to store water.
Tips for Choosing the Size
When changing pots, it is preferable to buy a pot 6-inch deep if you have plants in 4-inch pots. Avoid going overboard and doubling the pot size because it will take a while for the plants to fill the container, and watering needs will rise. Also, select shallow pots for plants with short roots and deep pots for those with massive roots. Besides, large-leafed plants may be grown in pots that are as broad as they are and tend to have deeper, more extensive root systems. Meanwhile, shallow pots are ideal for cactus and succulents.
Read also: ibomma
