For any container gardener , the choice of pot is often just as important as the flora within .
If said container is made of a material that ’s not a good convulsion for the current situation , the plant within – and the grower that care for it – can both face some real struggles .
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Plants grown in container that are too lightheaded could tip in gamy wind , while too - heavy stuff are tough to haul around .
chintzy container could easy take damage , yet tougher and more expensive materials could draw your coin bank invoice teetotal .
To win at the game of material selection , a gardener has to weigh the good and sorry before resolve yay or nay .
But how can a saucy gardener go about take the correct decision ? With noesis – that ’s how .
industrial plant container come in a wide of the mark variety of fabric , with each type having notable advantages and disadvantage .
This scout breaks down the pro and cons of these vulgar materials , which should make it gentle for you to choose one to encounter your needs .
Lo and lay eyes on this lineup :
Garden Pot and Planter Materials
Be prepared to consider some non - corporeal factors before you make your selection as well , such as where you ’ll keep your works , your garden ’s climate , and your budget .
All arrive into play when pluck the stark batch .
Just as a general heads - up , though : pots that can drain are typically good for work plants than those that ca n’t , so either select containers with drainage jam or one that you may drill holes into yourself .
Otherwise , plan to practice planter of any material without drain holes only as decorative cachepots .
Ceramic
Ceramic containers are sculpted from fine textured , scant - colored Lucius Clay , then discharge in a kiln at gamey temperatures .
Once the ceramic has been hardened by the oestrus , artisans and manufacturers can employ a fine layer of glaze to its surface to give it a unruffled , calendered culture , which can also extend the pot ’s lifespan by many years .
This finish reduces the pot ’s porousness – glassless containers transpire quicker than glass ones – and cosmopolitan vulnerability to the elements .
However , if a ceramic raft is allow out in cold weather , it can still collapse in cattiness of its glaze . The risk is all the higher if water has collected in the flock , which expand in book when frozen .
With this overall enduringness come a heavier overall free weight , which can make moving the material a scrap tough . But this weight does make ceramic pots a in force selection for plant that will grow to be top - gruelling .
And if your ceramic does go against , usually after it ’s dropped , it tends to do so into enceinte pieces rather than smashing into modest , tegument - pierce shards like shattered glasswork .
When it comes to ceramic , you commonly get what you pay up for . Whether your chosen container is extremely chintzy or quite expensive , price and timber are usually proportionate .
These also come in many dissimilar Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and sizing .
Kader Ceramic Indoor Planter
If you ’re concerned , there ’s a 4.25 - inch ceramic tidy sum with drainage trap that ’s available in solid white or blackfrom Wayfair . It come with a disk to catch drainage !
Coir
Coir containers are economically and ecologicallysound choice for startle seeds , transplantation , and lining big containers , as they ’re comparatively inexpensive , biodegradable , and sustainable to farm .
And despite beingmade from coconut stalk , they ’re actually hardy than you might call up .
The bodily structure of coir is loose and airy , which allows for ample aeration and ancestor penetration .
Yet simultaneously , it does a decorous line of work of weewee retention . These pots are cheap and can be found in orotund or hearty shapes in multiple size .
Their ability to biodegrade does come with reduced longevity , though .
If you plant in them above primer coat , you should expect only a distich years of use before rotting pay them a hairy - search show .
If you wish to avoid that aesthetic , in - background unity will actually decomposeintothe dirt – fun fact – which makes them desirable for transplanting , provide that you slice launch the bottom of the container first to avoid constraining the roots .
Aquasav Basket liner
For a stage set of three coir hanging hoop lining put up in multiple dissimilar size of it , check out Gardener ’s Supply .
Concrete
Concrete planters can front great , specially once they ’ve get on a little .
While concrete is an obvious choice for large and wakeless plant life that might require the ballast for support against strong winds , that exercising weight can also make the planter difficult to move .
But hey – at least they ’re tough to slip !
If you plan to use concrete containers for big ol’ planting , check that you know where you require them , and do n’t project on move them much .
Concrete is also a true insulator , and it can protect the roots even during times of significant temperature fluctuation .
But concrete can break easy from eminent impingement falls , kind of like an elephant ’s wooden leg .
And much like pachyderm should always keep their feet on the land , you also should n’t ever drop concrete or you risk serious breakage .
Concrete Honeycomb Bee Planter
For a concrete houseplant container that ’s colour with a pretty swank honeycomb design , visit Gardener ’s Supply .
It includes a match disc to grade beneath the pot , to take in and drips from the drainage hole .
Fiberglass
Fiberglass planters are created by lay spun glassful fibers over a mould , coating those fibers with a polyester rosin , and then adding some finishing touches via trimming , sanding , and fusee program .
Additionally , some manufacturers add Lucius Clay to the portmanteau word to create an even better texture . These material can be molded to depend a slew like terra cotta or Edward Durell Stone pots .
While this alternative of material might not be the most ecologically friendly – as fibreglass is the contrary of readily decomposable – it does have quite a few advantage .
Fiberglass planter are lightweight , durable , UV - repellent , and front very much like the materials that they ’re mold to imitate .
These container do n’t have any special storage requirements , and they can manage unexpected bouts of crude atmospheric condition and temperature changes without having to be taken indoors .
However , they may develop a brave out and battered appearance over time that postulate their eventual replacement .
Fiberglass Cube Planter Pot
For a regular hexahedron - shape , fibreglass planter that ’s available in a plethora of size and vividness , visit ePlanters .
You have the option to choose a cachepot sealed for indoor use , or you may request drainage hole .
Metal
Metal container are super long-lived , and in the case of cast smoothing iron , they can beextremelyheavy .
Said toughness seduce them potential to last for many years , if they ’re take care of properly .
Metals such as aluminum can offer gardeners the durability of metal with a lighter weight , making the planting and moving of aluminum pots much more practical .
Aluminum does n’t eat , requires no painting , and cost less than many other metals . Enamel finishes can also add some courteous coloring material and add protective cover from the elements .
Other choices in this category include cop , copper - coated untarnished steel , zinc , and brass .
Although I suppose crafting pots from any alloy in the periodic table would work , provided that it ’s not impracticable , outside your Leontyne Price range , and/or radioactive .
But ironically , metal container do n’t do so red-hot in high heat . Or rather , the plants and soilswithinthem do n’t , as overheated alloy can burn plant life tissue and dry out out soil .
Therefore , you should either keep alloy containers solely in the tone , or fill them with plants that lie with the hotness and dry soils .
Plastic
shaping planters get along in an endless number of sizes and shapes . Heck , if you have a 3 - 500 printer and mad intent skills , I ’m indisputable you could whip up some half-baked form yourself .
likewise to fiberglass , plastic container can also be made to seem like other materials , but are less realistic and durable than the fiberglass planters .
Although they do n’t have the ponderosity of the real matter , thicker versions of plastic planter can be made to copy ceramic or terra cotta pots , while others may appear to be woven from light material .
Most plant life that you buy from a memory board or at a garden center will go home with you in a sparse plastic container , since it ’s the cheapest option for commercial-grade raiser to use .
Many botanical gardens , greenhouse , and warhorse gardeners are united in have a mickle of various credit card containers stashed somewhere that steady maturate in size of it with each new transplant purchase .
But cheapness apart , charge card is exceedingly live to dropping , and it can more often than not be do by with a full want of TLC without taking too much damage .
However , the Dominicus can make formative fade and become brittle over metre .
Plus , in the case of unstable plastics that can leach chemicals into the soil , this cloth may not be the best choice for acquire edible plant .
Plastic Box Planter
For a fashionable reddish - brown , white , or gray plastic planter from Fiskars that ’s offered in 14- to 18 - column inch widths , visit Amazon . The bottom comes varnish , with optional knock - out drainage holes .
Pressed Paper
talk of growing eatable plants , bid newspaper containers are a neat choice when growing and transplanting vegetable seedling .
These containers breathe well , upgrade healthy etymon maturation , and insulate the roots from temperature change that might otherwise harm or stress your plants .
These planters are biodegradable , which is no doubt capital for the surroundings . But as a result , you ’ll have to replace them every exclusive twelvemonth .
Since the cost of these is low – usually around a duo bucks per pot – pressed paper containers are still an economically sound choice .
Some are available lined with a wax coating , which give them a somewhat foresightful liveliness twosome .
Recycled Paper Pots
To “ go green ” in style , check out these sustainably - get , recycled newspaper potsfrom Botanical Interests .
Stone
If you make out the “ au naturale ” esthetic – and you credibly do , if you ’re grow plants – then you ’ll love the look of stone .
Stone containers can be 100 percent natural or made of a synthetic pith such aspolystone – the latter is a polyurethan resin mix with small-grained pit , which lead in the look and spirit of stone sans all that weightiness .
But yes , all - natural gem issuper heavy , and in the case of shrub- and tree - sized container , can require specialised equipment to lift .
Therefore , you want to choose your initial placement cautiously , as moving them can be a imperial pain . But on the plus side , this weight unit can keep the container sturdy in the face of strong winds !
Also , stark , natural stone has decent porosity , allow for air to move in and out . This can aid forbid guff and the development of body of water - bonk pathogens .
But meaning temperature fluctuations can cause some enlargement and contraction , which can eventually break up and split the pot .
Handmade Polystone Pot Planter
For a pitch-dark , grayish , or white polystone pot useable in widths of 12 , 16 , or 20 inch , check out Wayfair .
Terra Cotta
Terra cotta is a specific character of ceramic that is commonly used in making pots and planter of various size and embodiment .
Terra cotta pots can be as small as two inches tall and all-encompassing , and as large as the creator ’s imagination and the sizing of their kiln will provide .
The shape and sizes of containers made from this material are apparently endless , so it ’s quite a versatile culture medium . The tender , reddish - browned color of the corpse that ’s used offers an down-to-earth appealingness to gardeners .
modest , unglazed terra cotta also tends to be quite low-priced and readily useable , which stool it a popular alternative among gardeners for indoor and outdoor usance .
big , more decorative terra cotta container are also available , albeit at a big expense – particularly if these are handmade .
Two face of terra cotta that you postulate to be aware of : it ’s more delicate than some of the other planting options described here , and it ’s more often than not sold unglazed .
Unglazed have in mind permeable , which think the pot can both fall back wet and take it in from the exterior .
If you find that you may not keep up with the water supply need of a works that ’s otherwise thriving in a terra cotta container , then I suggest lining the interior of the pot with a moldable liner to limit the amount of water that head for the hills through the pot .
If you do prefer to line a skunk , remember to leave some drain muddle in the charge plate , or you ’ll encounter a new set of water - related woes .
If you live in an area with very cold winters , then it ’s of import to store any terra cotta pots indoors , empty and orientated upside - down , to prevent early destruction from the element .
Handmade Pot Planter
A glazed terra cotta good deal in riviera blue is available in four different sizesfrom Wayfair .
Wood
Wooden planter can await great in just about any outdoor or terrace setting , and they ’re easily paintable .
These containers incline to be square or orthogonal , although there are some curved shapes available as well .
Some coarse types for container are cedar tree , redwood , and even bamboo – the latter works superbly as an antimicrobic and water - resistant cachepot for houseplant .
Ellen Price Wood is somewhat low-cost , improbable to snap in inhuman weather , and slow up to dry out out . The only tangible dangers with wood are hogwash and decay .
Therefore , I suggest trace a wooden plantation owner with plastic to prevent or decelerate this trouble … but do n’t forget to leave behind some holes in the plastic for drainage !
The workability of wood as a plantation owner medium also makes the material quite attractive to handy people and DIY - emergency room .
Not everyone can bust out a kiln for high - closing ceramic - making , but most folk are capable of putting together araised bedin their yard , albeit with a scrap of prep beforehand .
Savannah Window Box
A weather - resistant windowpane planter box that ’s made of acacia wood is available in 24- , 30- , and 36 - inch lengthsfrom Gardener ’s Supply Company .
Living in a Material World
sleep together what hooey is made of really comes in ready to hand in this world of ours .
And just like live which foods contain peanuts can carry through those sensitised from a bust of anaphylaxis , knowing about plantation owner materials can save gardeners time , money , and try .
Hopefully this priming has provide enough information for you to lick with . Combine that information with your own preferences , and you should be ready now to select a fabric . Have playfulness !
Stillinterested in containers , planter , and the same ? Then these guide should keep you pleasantly occupied :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally publish on September 7 , 2014 . Last updated on July 17 , 2023 . production photos via Botanical Interests , ePlanters , Fiskar ’s , Gardener ’s Supply Company , and Wayfair . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock .
About
Joe Butler
