Are plastic or terracotta pots better for indoor plants?
Unsure of which type of pot to use when you're re-potting your houseplants? Here at Plant Care for Beginners, we'll help you figure out the pros and cons of plastic and terracotta pots, so that your plant can get the right home makeover!
Do you want to give your indoor plants a "home makeover"? Let's explore whether plastic or terracotta pots are the right pot for you and your plant!
When it comes to selecting the right type of pot for your indoor plants, it's important to think about what it's made of. Pots don't just look nice, they serve a purpose and the material it's made from can help your plants thrive!
In this plant care guide, we're going to compare using plastic pots or terracotta pots to grow houseplants. We'll look at the advantages, what plants do best in which type of pot, and which one is right for you!
These are the topics we're going to look at:
Let's dive in and explore whether plastic pots or terracotta pots are better for your indoor plants!
Plastic pots for indoor plants
Plastic pots have become quite popular over recent years, and it's easy to see why. These lightweight pots are very durable, easy to clean, and look very modern, so you can be confident in knowing that your plants' new home is here to stay for a while.
If you're considering using plastic pots for your indoor plants, here are the benefits you'll get to enjoy when you use a plastic pot for your plant.
Retaining Moisture
When it comes to keeping soil moisture levels just right, plastic pots can be very advantageous! They have a useful non-porous surface that helps to reduce water evaporation. This advantage holds up even more so during those hot summer days when the water can easily evaporate quickly.
With these added features, moisture is kept around your plant's roots a lot longer and is great for plants that prefer to grow in soil that's moist most of the time, such as ferns or those tropical plants we all know and love, like an Alocasia or Monstera.
All in all, this feature alone makes a powerful statement about why you should choose plastic pots instead of terracotta ones.
Preventing Waterlogging with Drainage Holes
One of the biggest issues with taking care of plants is overwatering them. This is where Plastic pots come to the rescue! They often have drainage holes at the bottom to help drain any excess moisture from the pot to prevent your plant from getting overwatered.
The drainage holes in plastic pots allow excess water to escape and drain out, which keeps root rot far away. It's essential for the well-being of your plants that you get rid of excess or standing water quickly. If your plant is standing in wet soil for too long, its roots will start to rot and this could kill your plant. The drainage holes help you keep your plant healthy.
Easy Maintenance
Plastic pots are both simple and practical when it comes to cleaning and care! When you need to clean them, just use mild soap and water to keep them looking their best. Plus, they weigh less than other types of pots, making them convenient when you want to move them from one room to another for your indoor gardening project.
Terracotta pots for indoor plants
Terracotta pots have been used for centuries! Made out of clay, these pots are known for their rustic, natural look. Why should you consider using terracotta pots for your indoor plants? Let's find out!
Breathability: Enhancing Root Health
Terracotta pots rock! That's because they let air and moisture pass through their porous material quite easily. This means that your plant's roots benefit from a nice flow of oxygen.
Like breathing helps us feel better, it's great for root growth, too! When air can flow around the roots, it prevents water from becoming waterlogged in one area. That way it can go into every area where the plant needs it.
The most common way root rot starts with your plant is that oxygen can't reach the roots as well anymore, so the roots die. This attracts insects and fungi, which further damages your plant. A great flow of oxygen is very important for your plant's health.
Drainage
Terracotta pots are just like plastic pots because they usually have drainage holes! These draining holes make sure that the plant won't get too much water and lets the extra moisture escape.
It's great to remember if you don't see those little holes already built onto your terracotta pot, you can easily make them using things like a drill. Just be careful to drill slowly and use plenty of water to make the drainage hole clean and prevent the pot from cracking.
Preventing Overwatering
Terracotta pots can help you care for your plants in the best way possible! The pores in the clay absorb any extra moisture from the soil, making sure your plants don't become overwatered. The excess moisture will quickly evaporate, making sure the roots of your plant are never in wet soil for too long.
This is especially beneficial if you're growing a kind of plant that is known to be more fragile when it comes to moisture or those that prefer dryer soil, like succulents or cacti. By using terracotta pots for these plants, you can give them the best start without needing to worry about root rot caused by too much water!
Choosing Between Plastic and Terracotta Pots
Let's jump into some extra details to make sure you make the best decision about your pot! Here are a few factors to consider: price, durability, weight, the material of the pot itself, and aesthetic appeal. After weighing those against the advantages plastic and terracotta pots offer on both fronts, you can go right ahead and choose the best planter for you!
Plant Watering Needs
Watering your plants is an important factor in their health, so take a moment to think about how much moisture they need. If you'd like to give them a little extra hydration, plastic pots could be a smart choice! They're great at keeping moisture in the soil. Tropical plants, ferns, and palms would be great plants to grow in plastic pots.
On the other hand, if your plants don't like too much moisture around their roots, terracotta pots might fit your plant better. This type of pot allows for the evaporation of water from the sides of the ceramic walls and can provide an excellent setting for happy and healthy plants. Great plants for terracotta pots are a Succulent, a cactus, a Sansevieria, a ZZ plant, and any other plant that thrives in dry soil.
Environmental Factors
If you're looking for the best pot to use for your plant, make sure to look at the environment in and around your home!
If you live in a hot and dry climate, you should consider using a terracotta pot. These pots help to keep the soil and roots of your plant relatively cool. However, these types of pots will also evaporate any more from the soil much more quickly, so you'll have to water your plants more often to keep them healthy.
A plastic pot, on the other hand, won't protect the soil and your plant's root against the hotter temperatures as well. It'll feel like a humid sauna in the soil if it's a particularly hot day. However, the pot will also hold onto moisture in the soil for longer and won't let it evaporate through the sides.
If you live in a more humid, but still hot environment, the terracotta is your best choice. This pot will protect your plant and the humid air helps to keep the soil moist for longer. A plastic pot might hold onto too much moisture for your plant's well-being if you live in a humid environment.
Aesthetic Preferences
When deciding on the right pot, think about what you think looks the best. Terracotta pots give off a naturally earthy feeling, so if that is the look you're aiming for, this is a perfect choice.
On the other hand, if you are looking for more color or style options then plastic pots could be great for you. Not only can they bring a bit of fun to your home, but they also come in many varieties of shapes and colors. Plastic pots fit in a lot of different styles and spaces, so be sure to pick something you think would look great with your plant and your space.
Still not ready to choose? Do this!
It can be hard to decide between plastic or terracotta pots for your plants. When deciding which pot would work best for you, think about where in your home the plant will be living, how frequently you plan on watering it, and which aesthetic gives you the biggest smile.
If you're still struggling with a choice, who said you had to make a choice? Why not pick both? See which one you like best and which works best for your plants.
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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