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How to Choose the Best Grow Pot for Your Plants?
Potted plants always add beauty to your space regardless of where you grow them. Ensure you meet the needs of your plants for them to keep looking as radiant as they did when you first brought them home.
One of the ways to achieve this is to use the best grow pot suitable for your plant.
There are two things to consider to get the best from your plants. They include planter size and proper discernment of when to re-pot into a larger space.
In this article, you will discover how to select the best grow pot and get extra information to give your plants the best results.
- Part 1: Standard Pot Sizes and What to Grow in Them
- Part 2: Vital Questions to Ask Before Choosing the Best Grow Pot
- Part 3: Five types of Grow Pots and How to Use Them
Standard Pot Sizes and What to Grow in Them
In your local hardware store or a local garden, you must have seen grow pots for sale. You also have shops that sell fabric grow pots and other containers that aid the planting process. These pots come in different sizes and can fit perfectly for different plants.
We measure the diameter of these pots, and they include:
10-inch grow pots:
Pots with this kind of diameter can hold about two to three gallons of soil for potting. This container is perfect for herbs and succulents, including vegetables like strawberries, beets, leaf lettuce, turnips, small carrots, zinnias, and marigolds.
14-inch grow pots:
Potting containers with this diameter do well with peas, hearty leafy greens, e.g., kale, large carrot varietals, cabbage, chard, and collard greens.
18-inch grow pots:
Pots of this size can accommodate veggies like eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and peppers. This size is also perfect for cacti, shrubs, and berries.
24-inch grow pots:
Pots with 24-inch diameters can contain 24 gallons of potting soil and can host large houseplants that have a broad root system. Another plant that’d fit in perfectly is the fiddle leaf fig tree.
The only condition to be met here is that it should be tall enough as its roots need space to go downwards. Other plants that fit well here include dwarf peach trees, pomegranates, and apples.
30-inch grow pots:
Pots with this diameter are the best grow pots for trees that will end up being planted into the ground – they serve as a nursery for these trees. Trees like plum, apple, and pear can live their entire life span within their pots if you fertilize them adequately.
Vital Questions to Ask Before Choosing the Best Grow Pot
Before choosing the best grow pot for your plants, there are a couple of things to consider. In the previous section of this article, we looked at two of them; however, never proceed to use any container without asking these crucial questions:
Do I Need a new Planter?
The answer to this question depends on why you’re right here in this article. If you've considered re-potting because your plants may need a bigger space to thrive, then it's a yes. In this article, we’d show you just how to do it.
Are there things I need to know?
Yes. There are terms you should get familiar with in this piece that'd benefit you greatly as you read.
As you will discover in this and many other articles concerning grow pots, the words “planter” and “pot” are commonly used interchangeably; however, they aren't entirely the same as pots.
Grow pots are usually smaller and are meant to host one plant. While planters are for outdoor plants and are irregular in size - they also contain many plants.
Do I Need to Re-pot?
The need to re-pot cannot be overemphasized, so it's a Yes! This fun and muddy adventure are always healthy for your plant.
As earlier established, certain factors help your plant thrive. For instance, if you desire to plant outdoors, you already know how essential sunlight and humidity are.
If you also wish to plant indoors, using an artificial lighting system like the LED grow lights cannot be downplayed.
So, it's equally valid that re-potting is a crucial way for your plants to survive.
Re-potting is a win-win situation for your plant as it not only helps your plants maintain size but allows it to grow bigger.
Initially, repotting doesn't necessarily mean scaling up the pot size. Rather, it could mean changing the old potting mix, which has degraded its nutrients.
Eventually, as your plant grows, it will need a new pot since it will surely outgrow the present one.
Does grow pot size count?
Yes.
When we refer to plants, the common parlance is the inches or size. However, this often doesn’t refer to the actual plants but the pot's diameter.
For instance, a 4-inch plant refers to one which is growing in a pot with 4-inches, regardless of the plant size. It means that the plant is growing in a four by 4-inch pot.
These terms are used to allow for different types and heights of plants. For instance, a cactus that perfectly fits into a 4-inch pot may only be as tall as 1-inch or 1 ft. If the plant is in a 10 inches pot or a smaller container, ensure that you select a pot that is 1-2 inches larger than the actual plant size.
But, if the plant is hosted by a larger pot size greater than 10 inches, select a pot that is 2-3 inches in diameter.
Is there a need for drainage?
It is possible to create planters without employing drainage work; however, it is best to select pots and planters that possess drains, especially if you're just starting.
Never forget to pour out about a third of the size of the grow bag or planter in water. One other trick you can employ is to use lava rocks to line the bottom of the planter – what you're doing is creating spaces to allow for drainage of excess water. Using these methods will drastically reduce your chances of root rot.
Is the planter porous?
Before selecting the best pots for auto-flowers, ensure you find the best and most relevant material for thriving. What is available in many stores include plastic, wood, or terracotta planters.
The best thing to look out for is the porosity of the material. Terracotta, for instance, is porous and will dry more readily and evenly compared to plastic pots. Wood planters are also better than terracotta pots based on this feature.
Another great choice will be ceramic pots; if you’re concerned about the weight of the pots, then you will be glad to use fiberglass planters. Fiberglass planters are best suited for plants about 8 inches or greater in diameter.
Five types of Grow Pots and How to Use Them
There is room for creativity even while you try to grow your plants; this also applies to how you choose your grow pot.
As already emphasized, the single factor that makes a planter qualify as the best grow pot is porosity. Here are a couple of pots based on the materials they were made from and how to use them:
Terra-Cotta Grow Pot
These pots are available in different sizes and shapes; they not only offer your plants a great space but also enhance the beauty of your place.
Terracotta is composed of a mixture of clay and iron; it is known to "breathe" due to the porous nature of clay. This nature helps keep the potting soil cool and helps to suck out excess moisture from plant roots.
Image Source: Amazon
The single challenge with using this kind of pot is that it is very fragile. It also dries up quickly in sunny locations and readily gathers hard frosts, which easily crack the containers.
Some planters enjoy using terracotta pots as they help to retain water better.
Concrete Grow Pot
The main issue with concrete is weight – it is heavy. This probably makes it the best for trees or large plants that need support.
Concrete also possesses some excellent insulating qualities that help protect tender roots by creating a conducive milieu. When you plant in exposed areas, you're assured that your plants are safe, as there's a lesser possibility that someone would trample on your precious plants.
Image Source: Amazon
These pots are also useful in the winter as they save you the stress of moving your plants in and out of the house.
Plastic Grow Pot
Plastic will be a good choice, especially if you're not concerned about aesthetics or having to see the plants overgrow or cover the plastic pot.
The durability of plastic nurseries is undeniable; they retain moisture and are inexpensive. Plastic grow pots are also lightweight; this makes them the best indoor grow pots.
Image Source: Amazon
If you desire to plant outdoors and your garden is situated in a hot location, it is preferable not to use dark-colored or black plastic pots. These colors are known to absorb heat and will get hot, and this will harm and destroy tender roots.
Use light-colored containers as this will help keep the plants cool by reflecting heat. Because of this feature, some claim plastic pots are the best pots for indoor grow tents.
Wood Grow Pot
Wood remains of the most natural vessels for gardening. These planters look great, are lightweight, and retain water adequately.
Be extra meticulous while choosing wood pots as some woods are prone to rot. The best kinds of woods you should consider include redwood or cedar; also, check for the quality of the construction as wood is known to expand and shrink in the elements.
Image Source: Amazon
Pots made of softwoods like pine can also serve this purpose; however, you need to paint them with a non-toxic stain to prevent rot. Wood planters are also not expensive as you could craft one yourself with some nails and scrap wood.
Glazed Ceramic Grow Pot
These pots are undeniably beautiful and will brighten up your garden space. Nothing comes without a cost - so these fancy pots may be pricey.
Image Source: Amazon
Another advantage they have is that they help protect plants from freezing temperatures; they are perfect for indoors.
Conclusion
The aim of selecting the best grow pot for your plant is to see it thrive and attain its full potential. There are many questions to ask regarding what plants may suit you best. They've all been covered in this article.
Remember that while you set out to choose the best type of pot, ensure to keep porosity in mind. Also, consider your plant in all growth phases, and know the best pot diameters to employ.
Grow pots would not only add value to your plants by giving them a chance to thrive, but they could also help bring color and beauty to your environment.
Now that you’ve thoroughly followed this article, it’s time to get your hand dirty with the muddy fun of growing your plant.
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Indoor Growing Vs. Outdoor Growing: Which is Best for You?
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