If you want your potted plants to thrive, then you need to pay careful attention to the pots that you use. The material that your pots are made from may not be something that you would usually consider, but there are some that are far better than others when it comes to successfully growing a potted plant.
Wooden Pots
Natural and classic, wood is strong and hardy. Wooden pots can withstand cold temperatures without cracking, and the versatility of the material means that wooden pots can be crafted into such a variety of different shapes and styles.
There are two main downsides to wooden pots, with the first being their weight. However, this depends on the type of wood used. Wooden pots can also be susceptible to rot, which is why, when browsing for online pots, you will see that they often come with a plastic lining.
GRC Pots
You may not have heard of GRC pots, but you’ve probably seen plenty of them when looking for online pots. GRC stands for glass fibre reinforced concrete. It’s basically concrete that has been mixed with fibreglass, which creates a strong but lightweight plant pot.
GRC pots are also extremely weatherproof, and can be moulded into a variety of designs. As an added bonus, they are relatively inexpensive, especially if you buy an online pot.
Glazed Ceramic Pots
Ceramic pots are similar to terracotta pots, with the difference being that ceramic is usually glazed. The glazing process brings a number of benefits to the pot, such as enabling it to better retain water. This means that, unlike with a terracotta pot that dries out quite quickly, plants in a glazed ceramic pot won’t need to be watered quite as much.
Ceramic pots are also long-lasting, weatherproof, and aesthetically beautiful. There’s no denying that they add a more luxurious feel to a garden or patio. Their main downside is how heavy they are, which can make shipping expensive when shopping for online pots. Ceramic pots also break easily when dropped or handled roughly, so aren’t good for plants that will need to be regularly moved around the garden or taken indoors in the winter.
Metal Pots
Not all metal pots are good – some of the cheaper metals rust quite easily, especially when exposed to outdoor elements. However, if you go for a pot made from aluminium or galvanised steel, you’ll have a solid, durable pot that won’t be too heavy. When paired with the right plants, metal pots can become a beautiful focal point in a garden.
One thing to keep in mind is that metal heats up very quickly in the sun. This can quickly dry out the soil within, and could even burn your plants. While lining the pot with plastic can sometimes help, hot metal could potentially burn through this, rendering it useless. This makes metal pots best for shadier locations – avoid placing them in full sun.
Everything from the size and growing requirements of a plant to the climate you live in need to be taken into consideration when choosing plant pots. The choices out there when it comes to online pots may seem daunting at first, but once you have managed to narrow down a material, the decision becomes much simpler.