Every plant needs a home! Well, except for some epiphytes, of course. Today, we are going to go over the basics, and we will give you an easy-to-follow plan for picking your perfect pot.
Use the infographic below for a quick answer, or read on to learn the ins- and outs of planting pots.
Nursery pots v.s. Decorative pots
Nursery pots are hands-down the best option cost & care-wise. You can also place a nursery pot inside of a bigger decorative pot. Nursery pots are plastic, lightweight containers with drainage holes in the bottom.
These versatile pots are perfect for growing plants as they allow proper drainage and make it easy for you to check your plant's roots if necessary
The importance of drainage holes
Drainage holes allow water out of the bottom of the pot, preventing root rot. There are a few solutions if your preferred pot has no drainage holes:
- Place the plant in a nursery pot inside your decorative pot.
- Make holes in your pot yourself!
- Just use it, and water carefully. This, however, we do not recommend. The chances of your plant developing root rot using this method are very high.
Material of the pot
The material of your plant's pot matters. Certain materials can influence how fast your soil dries out and how often you might need to water your plants. Think about the type of plant you own: a drought-loving plant will thrive much more in a container that helps to prevent overwatering.
Clay, stone, or concrete
These pots are porous, which means there are tiny holes through which water or air can pass. This allows air to pass through the sides of the pot. This makes the soil dry out quicker, which makes it excellent for succulents and beginner plant parents who tend to overwater.
Wood
Wood can develop rot when it is exposed to moisture. Make sure to use an inside liner or a nursery pot to prevent deterioration and rot.
Ceramic
A tremendous all-around pot that comes in many beautiful glazed patterns. Some varieties have drainage holes, others don't. If yours has no drainage holes, make sure to use a nursery pot inside of your decorative ceramic pot!
Plastic
Your average everyday nursery pot. Ideally suited for any plant and can be placed inside a decorative container. Plastic is also very affordable!
You can buy our strong and durable nursery pots here!
Metal & stone
Keep these pots away from heat sources & direct sunlight, as these materials tend to absorb a lot of heat and burn the roots. A quick and easy fix for this is to add a buffer using a nursery pot inside the metal or stone pot.
Size of the pot
This one is simple: the larger the pot, the longer it takes to dry. If your soil remains wet for too long, you put your plants at risk of root rot, which can kill your poor plants! However, if your pot is too snug, your plant can dry out too rapidly.
As a rule of thumb, keep about 1 inch / 2.5 cm of space between your plant's root ball and the edge of your pot.
How much potting soil do I need?
It can be tricky to calculate how much soil you need to fill out your containers. For this, we've created a handy-dandy pot volume calculator! This tool will help you easily decide how many bags of soil you need.
