5 Tips To Choose The Right Pot For Your Plants

For all the plant lovers who lack backyard space yet prefer to have their home enshrined with the soothing aura of greenery, container gardening is a boon in disguise. Whether it is a separate space that you lack for gardening or you are, like most of us, an urban dweller living in closed apartments, or maybe you wish to allot a different dimension to your balconies and start a terrace garden, or perhaps you want to make a perfect balance between soil gardening and its counterpart, through containers. Whatever aim you wish to fulfill through container gardening, keep reading; this article is here for you with some excellent pot selecting tips!

How To Choose The Right Pot For Any Plant?

1. Primary Purpose

Before you pick a planter for your plant, ascertain whether your goal is to bring more greenery to your surroundings, enhance the aesthetic quotient around you, or commercialize the yield. It is not like the pots can’t be aesthetically pleasing and suitable for growing healthy plants, but if your purpose aligns with a single goal, plan accordingly.

A. For Plant Propagation

The best materials for plant propagation are terracotta and plastic pots. Of course, many other factors will also determine which one to pick finally, but the overall agenda is to pick the ones that have drainage holes and can resist most of the climatic conditions outdoors. If you are cultivating them, especially for the purpose of selling the yield later, it’s best to keep the plants as healthy as possible.

B. For Ornamentation

Styling & decoration using container gardening is not a thing of the past. Several gardeners love to adorn their homes with the most gorgeous planters available online. If you are one among them, ceramic pots, fiberglass pots, metal pots, etc., will be our first suggestions. These pots come in numerous designs, colors, shapes, sizes, patterns, and lusters, so including them in your decor regime will feel natural.

You can also try using cachepots and kill two birds with the same arrow - be aesthetic and keep your greenery lively. When one keeps the basic pots made of terracotta, clay, cow dung, etc., inside a stunning-looking pot, the planter that goes in hiding is called the cachepot in the gardening lingo.

2. Planter Shapes

Have you ever wondered if varying planter shapes had anything to do with the future of propagated plants? If not, then it’s time we give it some thought.

A. Round Planters

Not only are the round containers pretty widespread globally, but they are also super ideal for growing a single plant. However, they lack proper space to water and soil due to their rounded corners.

B. Square Containers

Queuing square planters will surely ring some synchronicity bells, especially if you love geometry. These planters are known for maintaining the plant’s health by restricting the roots from growing into a ball. But they might lack the aesthetic appeal of the infamous round pots.

C. Rectangular Planters

These are the pots that gave themselves another name - planters. Pots cater to a single plant, while planters can accommodate several. These are suitable for propagating numerous plants as hedges, flower beds, etc., but they might take some extra space due to their spacious size.

3. Planter Sizes

The general compendium of gardening rules suggests that the container’s diameter should be around twelve inches. Also, the plant’s root balls should not feel constricted at any time, so the depth and length depend on the size of the root balls, too.

A. Medium & Large Pots

When growing trees, shrubs, dwarf perennials, vines, etc., it is always better to go for a large container. These planters enable the plants to unfold easily, providing enough space and support for their roots. Generally, these planters have a size above twelve inches, and as big as they are, they make a loud statement wherever placed. However, ensure you have enough space to place such gigantic floor planters.

B. Small Planters

If it is the houseplants you wish to grow, ranging from succulents, flowering buddies, etc., picking small containers is best. Unlike trees & shrubs, plants with controlled growth should be planted in mini containers ranging from one inch to ten inches. Also, small planters are more suitable for indoor gardening.

4. Apt Materials

These pots and planters come in a wide range of materials that look, feel, and appear different. While every material has pros, they also have cons, so it is mainly about the gardener's goals to pick the planter material for their greenery.

A. Terracotta Containers

Terracotta pots are an excellent choice for allotting a rugged appearance to your garden. These planters have good drainage abilities and are also durable for the long term. They come in several shapes and sizes and are pretty affordable compared to the other materials. However, remember that they are easy to move around only when they are small in size.

B. Plastic Planters

It goes without saying that manufacturing and using plastic in our day-to-day chores is not sustainable. However, these pots offer versatility in colors, shapes, and sizes, so there are ample options. Also, one may spray them with different colors and paint them with paintings to change their appearance any day. But remember that this material can easily fade due to the mighty sun’s rays. Intense sunshine also puts the plants in danger due to high heat absorption.

C. Wooden Containers

If you wish to clad your greenery in something unique, wooden planters will be your guests. These days, one can find premium-quality wooden planters made from top-notch wood. These containers are ideal for home growers who can maintain them every now & then. Don’t forget to add preservatives to the soil to eliminate the possibility of root rot. These containers are also easy to move around in the garden.

D. Metal Planters

One of the most chosen planter materials, metal pots are known for uplifting the ornamental quotient of any ambiance. They are decorative containers that last long, as they do not crack or fade due to the outside weather. However, they can rust due to water exposure and don’t offer much drainage due to a lack of porosity. It is best to use a cachepot inside them, as the metals can get heated up pretty soon and cause irreversible damage to the greenery planted inside them.

E. Ceramic Pots

Another superb option for ornamenting indoors and outdoors -  the ceramic planters. These containers come in various patterns and colors that instantly catch our eyes. They are perfect for ornamentation. Plus, their glazed appearance benefits the gardener in more ways than one - they look super lustrous, and one need not water the plants often as the glazed surface retains the moisture in the soil. However, they are susceptible to damage due to the changing climates outdoors, so bring them indoors when the climate gets against them.

5. Color Combinations

Did you know that the color of your planters can directly impact the health of your plants? Most gardening connoisseurs agree to choose a bright-colored container to push the plants toward a brighter future.

A. Dark & Light Shades

Science suggests that dark colors are more prone to catching heat, while light colors are more apt to reflect UV rays. Too much heat can cause the soil to dry out faster, while too less of it will cause them to freeze during winter. So, if you place them in an open arena under the direct sun in tropical countries like India, it is better to choose light colors. However, if you belong to the hilly regions, go for dark shades.

B. Pollination-friendly Hues

If the main purpose of your gardening lies in growing an abundance of flowers, veggies, and herbs, pick light-colored containers to attract bees and other pollinators. Light and bright hues like white, green, and yellow are considered the best to invite pollination-friendly wildlife.

C. Contrasting & Complementary Themes

One may also choose the planter colors based on the shades sprinkled around their placement location. Depending on your approach and decor taste, you can pick container hues in sync with the backdrop or contrast with it. Both approaches look gorgeous when implemented, as it’s more about the subjective tastes of the gardeners.

Container gardening is a long-term investment and should always be done after proper research and planning. After reading this pots selection guide and tips to choose right pot for your plants, you will be better equipped to pick the most suitable containers for your lovely greenery. These planters will be the lifelong residence for your greenery, so dear fellow gardeners, choose wisely!

FAQs About Choosing The Right Pots For Your Plants

Ques: How To Choose Right Pot For Plants?

Ans: Begin by ascertaining the allocated space of the planters, the potential growth of the plants, the planter materials’ capacity to handle changing climates, the shape of the containers, and the color schemes of your ambiance.

Ques: How Does A Planter Shape Matter?

Ans: The container's shape determines whether the propagated plant inside it can tip over due to winds. Choosing a shape is more about picking a planter that is more stable in nature.

Ques: Are Pots With Holes Better?

Ans: Although there are several plant species that can grow freely without a drainage hole, most of them prefer a container that allows the moisture to stay controlled.

Ques: How To Choose The Right Size Pot?

Ans: The container size should be enough to give the plants adequate space to grow with a robust root structure. It is advised to gauge their growth potential before settling them in a container.

Ques: Which Planter Material Is Best For Plants?

Ans: The best planter material depends on several external factors like climate, placement, mobility, plant potential, and so on. However, the safest and most options are terracotta pots.