Small plants in small pots | Photos by the writer
There are many aspects of gardening that we, even those with many years of experience, tend to take for granted. Selecting the right kind of plant pot for the job in hand is one of them.
It is wonderful to know that the number of newcomers to gardening is increasing by the day but judging from the questions they submit, they are more than a little puzzled about the pros and cons of the various plant pots and containers currently available in the market as well as what can be grown in recycled containers.
Plastic plant pots versus traditional, unadorned clay ones
Plastic plant pots in various sizes and shapes have flooded into the country in the recent years and many gardeners are opting to use them. Often more expensive than their traditional clay counterparts, plastic pots are light to handle, easy to clean and have clearly defined drainage holes in the base. Being lightweight is their main advantage, especially if they are to be used in rooftop gardens where, unless the roof was architecturally designed to be load bearing, every bit of weight must be taken into account. A seriously overloaded roof could, quite conceivably, be damaged by the tremendous weight of a huge number of pots, the soil they contain and the incredible weight when soil is wet.
The right pot or container is essential to your success and your ability to care for your plant properly
The problem with these light-weight plastic pots is that they offer no resistance to sunlight and heat: the soil in them dries out rapidly and plant roots too become overly hot and dry out, unless they are watered at least once, perhaps even twice, a day when temperatures are high.
On the other hand, traditional clay plant pots are heavy and difficult to move around, particularly if these are full of soil and plants, but these thick clay pots work hard to retain moisture and keep plant roots cool. Plants in clay pots need far less water than the same plants grown in plastic ones.
I would recommend clay pots over plastic ones every time.
Pot size