Different Types Of Pots For Indoor Plants

Different Types Of Pots For Indoor Plants

A walk down at Flora Market will highlight all the available choices in containers. You’ll most likely find pots made of various materials, colors, sizes and styles and sometimes choosing the right one can seem daunting.

To ensure you select the best pot for the plant you’re planning to grow in it, it’s always best to familiarize yourself with the plant’s preferred cultural conditions and characteristics first. This helps in choosing the best material, size, and style to ensure problem-free and vigorous growth.

Let’s look at pot materials first, the pros and cons of each, and how they impact conditions for your plants.

Terracotta:
In Italian, terracotta translates to “baked earth” and pots are manufactured from a variety of clay-based materials. Classic terracotta pots are typically unglazed and somewhat porous.

Pros:

  • Terracotta’s warm reddish-brown color blends well with any plant.
    • Pots come in a wide range of sizes from several inches to those that accommodate larger plants like small trees.
    • The cost of terra cotta pots range from very inexpensive to expensive.
    • Good choice for plants that prefer a drier, well-drained soil.
    • Pots are heavier and more stable, making them less likely to tip over.

Cons:

  • Soil dries out faster in unlined terracotta pots so plants need to be watered more often than if planted in non-porous pots.
    • Terra cotta pots filled with soil, especially larger ones can be extremely heavy and hard to move. Place the pot on a stand with rollers to make moving easier.
    • The material is brittle and breaks easily if the pot is dropped or damaged.

Ceramic

Compared to terracotta pots, ceramic pots are manufactured from earthen materials that are less porous and denser. The pots are glazed on the outside and inside.

Pros:

  • Ceramic pots come is a wide range of sizes, colors and styles, with some elaborately decorated.
  • The pots are more durable than terracotta and don’t break as easily, lasting for decades.
  • The soil in ceramic pots doesn’t dry as quickly as in terra cotta.
  • Suitable choice for plants that prefer more consistently moist conditions.
  • Pots are heavy and stable, and less likely to tip over.

Cons:

  • Similar to terracotta, larger ceramic pots filled with soil can be heavy to move. Place the pot on a stand with rollers to make moving easier.
  • Ceramic pots, especially large ones can come with a hefty price tag.
  • Some might not have bottom drain holes, leading to the possibility of soil remaining too soggy. You may have to drill a hole in the pot’s bottom.

 

Plastic

Plastic pots for indoor plants offer gardeners an almost endless selection in colors and styles and can be attractive plant partners highlighting their beauty, as well as complimenting indoor decor.

Pros:

  • Of all the pot materials, plastic pots are the least expensive.
  • Plastic pots come in a vast array of colors and sizes.
  • Plastic pots are very lightweight and not as heavy as ceramic or terra cotta.
  • They stand up to damage better and won’t break if dropped.
  • Soil stays moist longer.
  • A good choice for plants that require a bit moister conditions.

Cons:

  • Cheaply made plastic pots left out in the sun can lose their vibrant color, turn brittle and break.
  • Since plastic pots aren’t porous, overwatering can create soil conditions that are too soggy and possibly cause health problems of the plant.

Metal

Metal pots for indoor plants offer a unique look and can add to the beauty of the houseplant they hold. No matter your design style, you can find a metal container that compliments it.

Pros:

  • You can repurpose a wealth of metal items to use as plant pots. Just be sure to create a bottom drainage hole.
  • With the addition of a plant, metal pots make attractive indoor accent pieces.
  • Metal containers used indoors are durable and long-lasting.
  • You can find metal containers in a wealth of different sizes and styles.

Cons:

  • Depending on the type of metal, some metals containers can rust.
  • Larger containers made out of a metal such as iron can be heavy to move once filled with soil.
  • The majority of solid metal containers require drain holes installed on the bottom.
  • If placed in a consistently hot and sunny location, the container can heat the soil making it dry out quicker.
  • Metal isn’t porous so the soil stays moist longer which can be problematic if you have a tendency to overwater.

 

Wooden

For a natural look and building material, you can’t go wrong with wood and it can give a planting container a rich and expensive look. When manufactured properly from long-lasting woods like cedar or redwood and stainless steel hardware, wooden pots will last for years.

You can also make wooden pots from pine, but it doesn’t last as long unless pressure treated with chemicals that can be toxic to your plants. However, lining any type of wooden pot with plastic will extend the pot’s life, as it prevents extensive water damage.

Although more commonly seen in outdoor container gardening, indoor wooden planters can look fantastic.

Pros:

  • Constructing wooden pots to fit your specific needs on size and style is an easy DIY project that uses basic tools.
  • You can stain or paint the wood to fit your specific taste.
  • Wooden pots can cost considerably less than high-end pots made from ceramic or terracotta.
  • You can make a wooden pot out of various recycled materials like wooden boxes, crates, baskets or bark.

Cons:

  • To prolong the life of the wooden pot, it requires periodic resealing.
  • The wood can decay after a couple of years, especially if a plastic liner isn’t used and the wood remains wet or the pot is made from an inferior wood.
  • Depending on whether the pot’s wood is sealed, wooden containers can be porous and the soil will dry quicker.
  • More likely to leak, so you should use a good drip tray when using wooden pots or planters indoors.