How to choose the Best Containers for Gardening
When we talk about gardening, it is not just limited to choosing the right plant for your home or garden. One important thing to decide is the types of containers for gardening. Here we are going to share everything you need to know about types of containers for gardening:
What materials are used to make pots?
There are various materials used these days to make pots and planters as per your need and choice.
- Terracotta
Terracotta is clay molded in a shape and dried and then baked to make it sturdy. Terracotta is the most common and oldest type of material used for pots and containers. These are inexpensive and come in all shapes and sizes. Terracotta pots are porous but heavy; hence recommended to use on the ground.
- Plastic
Plastic pots are the most inexpensive ones in the market and are widely used nowadays due to their lightweight and huge variety of designs and colors. Plastic pots are suitable for plants with thirsty roots since they are non-porous and water drainage is complex. However, you can make holes to serve the purpose.
Is it safe to grow vegetables in ceramic pots?
- Ceramic
Ceramic is also a natural earthen material like terracotta, just less porous than the latter. These also come in a variety of designs and are widely used both indoors and outdoors. Ceramic pots are more durable and stylish than terracotta.
- Fabric
Fabric pots are the most Eco-friendly and plant-friendly. These are breathable and give more freedom to plants. Fabric pots are also washable, reusable, and foldable, making them long-lasting though recommended for small plants.
- Wood
Wooden pots are also one of the natural and eco-friendly pots and can be made in any shape, design, and size. Wooden pots are best suited for flowering plants.
- Metal
Metal pots can give a royal look to your garden space. However, you need to choose the type of metal wisely. Metal pots also come in a variety of designs that can complement your garden space. Make sure to have holes in the pot for proper drainage.
- Fiberglass
Fiberglass is an artificial material using plastic-like fibers and resins. These are tough but exceptionally lightweight. Though fiberglass is durable, however, if overexposed to sunlight, it can become brittle and frayed.
- Concrete or cement
Concrete pots are also widely used in open gardens. They are perfect for large plants as they are heavily weighted. Only cement one is less porous; however, pots made of the building material mixture, concrete, are porous, so better in drainage.
- Hypertufa
Hypertufa is a concrete-like material, however, much lighter in weight and can be made at home. It is a mixture of cement, perlite, and peat moss. These are widely used these days as they can be easily made at home and cost less than market-bought pots.
The best material for plant pots | What containers are best for gardening?
As mentioned above, we have an extensive list of materials used for pots. Choosing the most suitable one becomes confusing. Hence, according to our study and opinion, we will tell you what the best material for plant pots is. When you are selecting a material for your plant pots, it’s essential to keep in mind the requirement of your plants.
Terracotta and ceramic pots are best for plants due to their being porous. This gives a better drainage system; however, you would need to be very disciplined in watering the plants. For lazy gardeners and plants that require a lot of water, plastic planters are the best choice. I would recommend you to use plastic pots with a few holes for the drainage of excess water.
Best pots for indoor plants
Indoor plants are usually low-maintenance plants, so most of them need less water and light. So you either choose any material of your choice but water less frequently or choose planters or pots with a sound drainage system. However, in the second option, no one would like leaking pots in their living room.
The solution to this problem is double potting. Use an ordinary terracotta or any natural pot to plant your green. Then, put this pot inside another pot of a different material that is more stylish and adds to the beauty of your space, like a metal pot.
Best pots for outdoor plants
For outdoor plants, I would recommend you to use materials such as terracotta, ceramic, wood, and concrete. All of them are eco-friendly, plant-friendly, and look good in gardens. People usually plant large-sized plants outdoors, so they need heavy pots, and they are most likely not easily moved, so above mentioned materials are a good choice.
However, you are not bound to these options. Depending on the type of plant and exposure to light, you can even go for plastic, fiberglass, metal, etc.
How to determine the size of the pot for the plant?
This is the most crucial point when choosing a pot for your plants. Size does matter when it comes to selecting plant pots. It would be best if you had a pot that allows the plant to grow well and also keep repotting as the plant grows. Always choose a pot that has at least 1 to 2 inches wider diameter than the width of the plant’s root.
This will give enough room to roots. However, if the plant has a speedy growth, choose a wider pot. Pots are always measured by their diameter size. This range from 10 inches to 30 inches and is selected as per the plant growth.
Are drainage pots necessary?
Most plants cannot thrive in excess water for long. Too much water rots the roots of plants, and they die. Hence drainage is essential in plant pots. Most of the pots available have a hole at the bottom that helps in drainage.
However, the size and number of holes is determined by the amount of water retention needed by a plant. If the hole is too big, you can cover it with a small stone, allowing only some water to drain. It is always recommended to use a pot with holes for drainage, but if you have a lot of experience in gardening, you can manage with no drainage pot.
A simple rule of thumb is to use water one-third of the pot’s capacity, and frequency depends on your plant’s water retention capacity and hydration needs. Succulents can survive for several days without water; however, there are plants that need watering every alternate day.
While it is crucial to choose a suitable pot for your plant, it is equally essential for you to take care of your plant as it needs. Like humans and animals, plants also need care, love, and timely attention to their needs.
Read Also : 10 Best Benefits of Aesthetic Plants
