Guest Author - Sue Walsh

An important part of growing happy and healthy container plants is choosing the right container for them. There are several different kinds of pots available and different types of plants need different types of pots. Here is a look at what’s available and what they are best for:

Plastic- Most plants are sold in plastic pots or trays, and for the most part, it’s fine to keep them in them. Plastic pots are durable, shatter proof and keep the soil from drying out too quickly. They come in a wide array of sizes and colors-some even look like terra cotta or stone. Try to find the type that comes with a saucer that snaps on the bottom to protect your furniture. Just make sure to remove it when you water to insure proper drainage. Discard any pots that have cracks or chips in them as the edges can be sharp and they may leak when you water.

Clay/Terracotta- These pots have been around for centuries and are the traditional plant container. Cacti and succulents do well in clay pots, but they are a poor choice for any plant that needs consistently moist soil as clay pots are very porous and allow the soil to dry out quickly. Clay pots are very decorative but they break easily and tend to be heavy, so keep plants in them away from high traffic areas. Before putting a plant in a clay pot, be sure to soak the pot in warm water for an hour or so.

Self Watering- These containers come in two types. One has a reservoir at the bottom and wicking fabric that draws the water up to the roots. The other has a built in reservoir with an external opening to add water. While both types will technically allow the plants to water themselves, the reservoirs will have to be filled and cleaned every so often.

Ceramic- These pots are the most decorative of all plant containers. They come in an array of shapes, colors, and designs, but they all have a serious drawback-no drainage holes. This makes them inappropriate to plant directly into because no plant will last long without drainage. A way around this is to use the ceramic pot as a holder or cachepot, for a plastic pot. This ensures proper drainage without losing the decorative qualities of ceramic. Be sure to clean the inside of the outer pot regularly and check for standing water.