Choosing a pot for your plant is a very important step in caring for houseplants that are usually neglected. Ninety percent of the pots that we choose can damage our plants. There are many important factors that we need to consider when choosing a pot, and we should remember that the beauty and attractiveness of the plant are not the only factors. Choosing a beautiful but improper pot will lead to irreparable damage and even your plant’s death.
So, in this article provided by theHplants team, we will cover all the points you need to consider when choosing a pot for your plant: factors like size, drainage, material, weight, and beauty. You need to put a saucer under the pots. Pots have numerous shapes and sizes, from the smallest one, the size of an egg container for plants such as African violets, to a large garden-sized flowerpot. There are some unique plants, like planting inside a tree trunk.
What is the worst type of pot that you can choose for your plants?
- If the height of the pot is too much, lower layers of soil will always stay wet; as a result, your plant will face root rot.
- The saucer should not be attached to the pot.
- The pot should not be barreled-shaped because the smaller the aperture, the later it will take for the soil to dry.
- The pot should not be glazed on one side because it causes the roots to rot.
- The pot should have more than one drainage hole.
- The bottom of the pot should not be flat because it disrupts the oxygenation of the roots.
- Since iron can quickly transfer heat and cold, the pot shouldn’t be made of this material. It can also quickly oxidize (rust).
- One of the worst options for choosing a pot for houseplants is to choose a tall and big pot. Due to their depth, moisture remains permanently in the soil, rotting the roots.
One solution for using these types of pots is to fill 2.3 of the pot with gravel and then add the soil.
Best pots for indoor plants:
Different key characteristics make the ideal pots for houseplants. To keep the plants’ roots ventilated and avoid waterlogging, they usually have enough drainage holes at the bottom. The pot’s size should also suit the plant’s root structure, providing enough room to grow without being too big. In addition to being small enough for easy carrying and moving, suitable pots are also strong enough to hold the plant. They visually enhance the living space’s general décor.
Consider factors like resilience, simplicity of cleaning, and whether the pot has a saucer to collect extra water. In general, the best indoor plant pots balance efficiency, design, and plant health to produce a setting ideal for growth and enjoyment.
Pots come in various materials, such as clay, ceramic, or breathable plastic. Clay pots that are not glazed are the best for houseplants because they allow moisture to move in and out of the soil through the walls. Excess salts will get out of the pot and deposit on the pot’s surface, increasing the quality of the soil and, therefore, improving plant growth.
10 perfect options to choosing a pot for your plant
choosing a pot for houseplants can be tricky due to the numerous types and shapes. We should bear in mind that some of them can cause your plant’s death, while others can improve your plant’s growth. In the following, we will introduce the top 10 pots for your plant.
1 Clay pots
These pots are much more delicate and fragile than others, and you must take good care of them. Because of their water absorption, these pots constantly wet the soil and ultimately cause root rot. Glazed pots won’t let the excess water out of the pot, which can lead to problems like root rot and fungal disease.
2 Unglazed clay pot
They are the best pots for houseplants. This means that they won’t absorb soil moisture, which means that the body is always wet; they also exchange moisture and excess salts, which will increase the soil quality and ultimately result in a better plant.
3 Ceramic pots
Usually, they are so heavy. For this reason, they are the best options for plants that grow fast and are heavy. Although they are a bit expensive, the great variety in their design and color is appealing to everyone. Among their variety, Round and bowl-shaped ceramic pots are more popular. Still, like clay pots, they won’t let the excess water get out of the pot, so you need to pay attention to watering..
4 Plastic pots:
Most of the plants you buy have plastic pots. Since they are cheaper, florists use them while selling. These pots cause root rot due to water accumulation. Even though plastic pots might not be as breathable as clay or ceramic pots, they frequently feature drainage holes that help to keep the soil from becoming too wet while promoting strong root development. Plastic pots are a practical option for beginner and expert plant lovers because they are also simple to clean and maintain.
5 Stone or concrete pot:
These pots weigh a lot! Heavyweight pots are good for protecting plants against wind and falling. However, moving them can be challenging. So, if you intend to buy this pot, first consider the best place for it. However, they are resistant to damage and injury. Concrete pots can shield your plant’s roots from the cold and provide thermal insulation, but they are not recommended as they absorb water, which causes the plant to get dehydrated.
6 Fiber pot:
Fiber pots are cheap and environmentally friendly, making them a perfect option. They are usually made of coconut shells, and they are strong and have the advantages of paper pots. In addition to coconut shells, they can be made from cereal husks. They have various shapes and colors. The height of these vases ranges from one inch to higher. Here is a video of how to make a coconut pot.
7 Metal pot:
These pots are substantial and can be heavy depending on the type of metal. An aluminum pot is an ideal option for plants. Because in addition to high resistance, it is light and easy to move. Aluminum does not rust. It is stainless and cheaper than the other metals, but some metals like zinc, copper, steel, and lead can transfer heat and cold to a plant’s root and damage your plant, as well as transfer heavy elements on a larger scale and damage the plant’s quality and PH.
8 Paper pot:
These pots are decomposable, so they are environmentally friendly. The only disadvantage of these pots is that you will need to change them once a year. However, considering their low prices, they are economical. The inner layer of some of them is covered with wax, which increases their useful life. The thicker the paper is, the longer it will last. Paper pots are great for planting vegetables.
9 Resin pot:
Although these pots are unsuitable for the environment, they have considerable advantages. Resin pots are tough, lightweight containers created from a chemical-based substance known as resin. Because they are resistant to fading, cracking, and weathering, they are common options for both indoor and outdoor plants. Resin pots offer a wide range of design and style options because of their diverse shapes, sizes, and colors. Furthermore, drainage holes are a common feature of resin pots, which help to encourage strong root development and avoid waterlogging. However, since the production of these pots harms the environment a lot, we do not recommend using them.
10 Wooden pots:
Wooden pots do not crack during the winter. The only demerits of these pots are wood decay and root rot of your plant Because wood keeps the water. To avoid such problems, use a layer of plastic inside a wooden pot. Make sure to make a hole in the plastic to create proper drainage. So, you will have a beautiful-designed pot made of wood and a proper drainage system.
An essential point for choosing a pot for houseplants:
So far, we just talked about the type of pots you can use for indoor plants because it is a crucial factor. However, we should consider that houseplants are kept inside and not exposed to extreme weather changes. So, while purchasing, you don’t need to worry too much. In this part, we will discuss other crucial factors you must consider while choosing a pot for your plant. Along with the pot’s type, these factors play an important role in your plant’s growth.
How important is the size of the pot?
Choosing pot size for plants is one of the essential factors you need to pay special attention to. Most people neglect this factor and consequently face some irreparable damages. If the pot is too big, it will take a long time for the soil to dry; as a result, the chance of root rot will increase. On the other hand, if the pot is too small, it will get dry rapidly, and you will need to water it more often. Also, the roots will be under pressure, which will stop their growth. To prevent this problem, choose the proper size for your pot.
When you intend to transplant seed, move the plant to a pot whose diameter is 2 to 4 inches larger than the plant. And if the plant grows fast, the diameter should be 8 inches larger than the plant. On the other hand, if your plant grows slowly, the pot’s diameter should be 1 to 3 inches larger than the plant’s. If the plant you buy is in a pot with a diameter of less than 25 cm and you want to report it to get a pot that is 1 to 3 inches larger than the previous one, and if it is in a pot with a diameter of more than 25 get a pot that is 2 to 5 inches larger than the previous one.
What is the role of the drainage system in choosing a pot for your plant?
In most cases, plants that live in pots without proper drainage face serious problems. Hence best pots for indoor plants should have at least one drainage hole. Note that this hole is necessary for both drainage and air circulation. In such cases, put a saucer under it to avoid messiness for the drainage of succulent plants; baskets or hanging pots are suitable for houseplants.
Always use a pot with a drainage hole so that the excess water gets out of the pot, and problems such as root rot will be avoided. Draining the excess water also makes the soil lighter, and air will flow perfectly in the soil. As you know, you should not water succulent plants too much, and the soil should not be wet all the time. Of course, some pots a just for decoration. These pots may not have a drainage hole, and as long as there is no living plant, they won’t cause any problems.
Pots type and its effect on choosing a pot for your plant.
In the following part, we will cover this factor. If you have any questions about plant wilting after repotting, be sure to read its article
The style of the pot
Not all the factors about choosing a proper pot for houseplants should be technical and scientific, but you should also consider the style of them as well for this reason, when you are buying a new pot, among the wide variety of colors and designs, be sure to buy alone that you relate to the most and it is more compatible with your environment, which on the other hand encourages you to take care of the plant psychologically.
Cleanliness
The proper pot for houseplants: is easy to clean. For instance, due to water evaporation, a white layer will be on clay pots’ inner surface. So you should clean the inner surface of the pot with scotch tape and then put in a bleach solution (with a ratio of 1 to 9 bleach solution to water) and then in hot water. Some people may think it’s a boring or difficult; however, cleaning ceramic pots is way easier. Some pots, like paper pots, do not require any cleaning; instead, you change them annually. So, when buying a pot, consider cleaning as well.
what are the signs of improper pot for plants?
Plants in the wrong pot can get waterlogged from poor drainage, grow roots bound, wilt even after watering, turn yellow with stress, develop mold or fungus from too much moisture, have damage or cracks that affect the health of the roots, or become unstable from a small or light pot.
Pots that can kill your plants
Towering metal pots: since they are tall and have wide mouths, they have just one drainage hole, and you can’t add another. They are not the best pots for indoor plants but good for shrubs.
Pots with a saucer attached: Ventilation is not considered for these pots. The soil at the bottom of the flower pot is always swampy; therefore, your plant will get root rot very quickly.
Tall glazed clay pots: Their high height prevents water from leaving the pot and causes root rot
What are the signs for a proper pot?
Make sure the bottom of the pot has a groove so that you can make as many drainage holes as you want, the height is appropriate for the plant, and the mouth of the pot is also suitable.
Which pot is suitable for which plant?
For Callisia that grows on the surface, the mouth of the pot should be wide, and the pot shouldn’t be tall.
For Bryophyllum, use tall cylindrical pots
Use the same type for Bamboo.
Dracaena can live in pots taller than 10 feet.
Caladium also prefers tall pots.
Medium-sized pots are suitable for Yucca.
Snake plants, French lavender, living stone, Petunia, Violet, Panda Plant, Geraniums, Blossfeldia, Aloe vera and Maranta grow well in shallow pots. You do not need to change the pot because of their shallow roots.
The most important point you should pay attention to when keeping plants is that in a tall pot, you should have proper drainage to prevent damage to the roots.
Choosing the wrong pot can also be one of the reasons for the death of a cactus, in a separate article you should read about cactus drooping.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a pot for houseplants:
In the following, we will answer some frequently asked questions about buying pots and how to choose them.
Is the type of pot effective in plant care?
Yes indeed. The materials used in a pot can play an important role in your plant’s growth. For instance, a clay pot dries out faster than a plastic pot, so it helps the soil to drain better, and your plant will need more watering.
Which pot is suitable for my plant?
That depends on your plant; if it does not need much watering and air ventilation, you can use clay pots. On the other hand, if you are going to move the plant to new places frequently, use lighter plastic pots. It should be said that large plants are better to be kept in clay pots.
What is the right pot size for my plant?
As a general rule, it is better to always choose a pot one size larger than the previous pot or the plant’s root ball. In this regard, we must say that a very large pot causes the soil to dry later, and a very small pot prevents the growth of roots and damages the plant.
Which one is better, the ceramic pots or plastic pots?
Unlike clay pots, plastic pots are not porous. So, they do not allow moisture or oxygen to enter or leave through walls. For this reason, the moisture in plastic pots stays about 2 times longer. So, they are perfect for plants that you don’t need to water frequently.
Which plants like ceramic pots?
For ceramic, clay or concrete pots, choosing a plant that likes moist soil is better. Some plants like their soil to be wet most of the time, and plants like Pothos (Devil’s ivy), philodendrons and Orchids.
Should the pot have holes?
Having a drainage hole is a must in all the pots. The excess water flows out of the pot through these holes. The remaining excess water in the pot’s soil will damage your plant’s roots.
How to drain the pot?
First thing first, use the proper soil. You can use Leaf mold and Potting soil because they usually have a coarse texture. Also, you can fill the bottom of the pot with gravel and pebbles or put pieces of stone or broken pieces from another pot in the holes in the bottom of the pot. This makes the potting soil not removed, and excess water does not remain in the pot.