What container materials work best for different plants?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Selecting the appropriate container material influences plant health and growth success. Each material has a different degree of moisture retention, root temperature, and soil aeration. Select pots that match your plants' needs and your informational preferences. This will help prevent issues like root rot or dehydration.
Plastic Pots
- Moisture retention: Excellent for thirsty plants like elephant ears or ferns
- Weight considerations: Lightweight and easy to move but may tip over
- Temperature control: Insulates roots from extreme heat and cold
- Durability: Lasts multiple seasons but becomes brittle in freezing temperatures
Terra Cotta
- Breathability: Porous walls allow air exchange preventing root suffocation
- Ideal plants: Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and drought tolerant succulents
- Maintenance: Requires more frequent watering in hot dry conditions
- Winter care: Bring indoors or wrap to prevent cracking in freezing weather
Fabric Grow Bags
- Root health: Air pruning promotes dense healthy root systems
- Best for: Vegetables like tomatoes and deep rooted fruit trees
- Drainage: Superior drainage prevents waterlogging in heavy rain
- Portability: Light when empty but difficult to move when filled with soil
Size consideration is just as important as material. Plants with shallow roots, like say lettuce, thrive in 6-inch plastic pots. At the same time, tomatoes need 18-inch fabric bags, as they are deep-rooted. I tend to reuse nursery pots inside decorative ceramics, which enables beauty with utility. It also allows me to rotate plants easily.
Climate adaptation is important. Terra cotta keeps roots from rotting in wet areas. Plastic prevents moisture loss in dry areas. For cold areas, I wrap containers with bubble wrap insulation. White pots reflect heat and keep roots cool during heat waves.
Maintenance Tips Increase Your Containers' Longevity. Clean plastic containers with a vinegar solution once a year to remove any residue. Condition natural terra cotta with linseed oil to prevent excessive salt accumulation. Keep fabric bags dry (and frost-free) in the winter to avoid mildew. Following these practices will allow for a long-lasting container.
Read the full article: 10 Best Plants for Containers
