Not too sure if you need to invest in tall succulent planters, tiny pots, extra-large succulent bowls, or shallow plant pots? Should it be ceramic pots, small plastic pots, clay pots, or wooden cactus planters? Buying the right succulent pot is critical for the healthy growth of the plant. The pot or the container can make a key difference between the plant thriving robustly or wilting down and dying. This blog will cover all aspects of choosing the right succulent plant pots for your tiny and huge houseplants.
Every succulent that you plant in a pot needs special care, however tough or undemanding the species is. Planting a succulent and a cactus is no different, especially because both the botanical species are prone to survive through challenging soil, weather conditions and yet are overly sensitive to water.
Cacti and other succulents require fast-draining soil and plenty of sunlight to thrive. This makes clay pots an ideal choice for growing these plants. Clay pots have been used for thousands of years due to their porosity and breathability. Here are some key reasons why terra cotta pots excel at growing cacti and succulent plants:
Excellent Drainage
The terra cotta material used to make clay pots is porous and allows excess water to evaporate through the pot walls. This prevents soggy soil that can lead to rotting of cactus and succulent roots. Clay pots effectively create the dry, well-drained conditions these plants need.
Air Circulation
The breathability of terra cotta clay allows air to reach the plant roots. Good airflow is essential for healthy cactus and succulent roots to prevent fungal diseases. The porosity prevents moisture from being trapped.
Wicking Action
Clay naturally pulls moisture from the soil to the surface of terra cotta pots where it evaporates. This wicking action keeps the soil drier. Cacti and succulents thrive in these drier environments.
Visual Soil Cues
As clay pots absorb water, they darken and change color. When the pot lightens again, it signals that water is needed. This makes it easy to visually determine soil moisture.
Insulating Properties
The clay material helps insulate roots against rapid temperature changes This prevents soil from getting overly hot while allowing heat absorption during the day
Natural Material
Terra cotta is an eco-friendly, sustainable choice over plastic pots. The clay is a natural material that is also breathable and healthy for plants.
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Key Benefits of Terra Cotta Pots
The porous terra cotta material provides several advantages that make clay pots well-suited for cacti and other succulents:
Selecting the Best Clay Pots
Follow these tips when choosing terra cotta pots for your cactus and succulent collection:
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Opt for unglazed clay rather than glazed for better breathability.
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Make sure pots have drainage holes so excess water can escape.
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Choose pots just slightly larger than the current plant, about 1-2 inches bigger.
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Use saucers carefully to avoid standing water. Consider skipping.
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Group pots together to increase humidity around the plants.
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Add sand or gravel layer to boost drainage and discourage evaporation.
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Match clay color with your home décor or go colorful with glazed pots.
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Prepare for the heavier weight of clay versus plastic pots.
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In cold climates, insulate pots in winter to prevent cracking.
Shop for plain terra cotta or decorative painted and glazed garden pots with ample drainage. Then fill them with cacti and succulents to create your perfect dry garden!
Best Cacti and Succulents for Clay Pots
Many different cacti and succulents grow well planted in terra cotta pots. Some top choices include:
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Hens and chicks (Echeveria): Shallow clay pots suit these low rosette succulents.
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Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum): Trailing stems look lovely draping over pot rims.
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Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): A unique succulent that enjoys clay pots with holes.
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Aloe vera: Fleshy aloe plants need fast-drying terra cotta to prevent rot.
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Ladyfinger cactus (Mammillaria elongata): Tiny round cacti thrive in small terra cotta pots.
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Ball cactus (Parodia magnifica): Shallow pots match these globe-shaped cacti.
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Aeonium: Rosette-forming aeoniums grow well in terra cotta’s airflow.
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Agave: Bold rosette and spreading agave varieties suit clay pots.
Match the clay pot size and style to suit your particular cacti and succulents. With the right terra cotta pot, these plants will prosper!
Caring for Succulents and Cacti in Clay Pots
Growing succulents and cacti in terra cotta pots requires some special care since the soil dries out faster. Follow these tips:
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Water more frequently whenever the soil is completely dry.
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Apply water slowly and deeply to soak the plant roots.
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Consider adding sand or gravel to help retain moisture.
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Mist plants occasionally to increase humidity around them.
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Move pots to shade on hot days to prevent overheating.
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Top dress pots with pebbles or sand to slow water evaporation.
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Repot into a slightly larger clay pot when the plant becomes root bound.
With proper watering and care, terra cotta pots allow cacti and succulents to thrive while providing the dry, well-aerated environment they need. Clay is one of the healthiest pot choices for these drought-loving plants!
Clay pots are clearly an optimal choice for growing cacti and succulents. Their porous terra cotta material delivers the fast drainage, breathability, and drying action these plants need to mimic their native desert habitats. With the right clay pot, cactus and succulent enthusiasts can create a thriving container garden!
Guide to Choosing the Best Pots for Succulents and Cactus
The first thing that a succulent owner needs to understand is that even though succulents are low-maintenance, fuss-free, and drought-friendly houseplants, neglecting them could result in unhealthy growth or the death of the plant. Pots need special attention even though succulents are easy-to-maintain prettiest plants. Succulents favor pots that are spacious and are equipped for draining off the water well. Thus, simply focusing on the visual aspects and investing in decorative pots is not enough. This guide will help you pick cheap and easy containers for succulents and cacti.
Color of the Best Succulent Containers
When you sit down to choose, you will have a riot of colors and textures to pick from. Succulents in blue, black, white pots, and more – there are a multitude of choices. There are two approaches for succulent ideas in pots – look at the pot color and choose your succulent or choose the planter as per the succulent.
- When buying ceramic or Terracotta succulent pots, ensure that the plant is frost-hardy. Such succulents do not need to be transferred indoors during winters. The pots made from these materials tend to get heavy once planted, and hence, it isnt easy to move them.
- With wooden 2 inch pots, ensure to use a plastic liner inside to prevent the wood from rotting.
- When picking plant containers for succulents, remember the drainage part. Succulents do not like standing water. Even if you follow a proper watering routine, it is essential to go for a planter with drainage holes.
- Outdoor container ideas – Choosing between hanging little succulent pots and wall-mounted best pots for small plants can be difficult. Hanging ones are good for small succulents, while the wall-mounted ones are suitable for flowering houseplants.
How to choose the best plant pots for your cactus & succulent collection #cactuscare #succulentscare
FAQ
Do cactus grow better in clay pots?
Following are some of the best pot materials for growing a cactus or a succulent: Terracotta, a breathable material, is one of the best indoor and outdoor succulent pots. Another reason that works in favor of Terracotta is that it seamlessly absorbs heat, offering the plant the ideal growing conditions.
What is the difference between clay pots and terracotta pots?
The key difference lies in the manufacturing process. Both are made from clay, but terracotta is clay that has been fired in a kiln, while “clay pots” can refer to unfired clay or fired clay (like terracotta).
Do cactus pots need holes in the bottom?
The bottom line is, one shouldn’t be discouraged from not having a pot with a good drainage hole.
What are the disadvantages of clay pots for plants?
Yes, plastic pots hold more water than clay, but this makes them an ideal choice for plants that thrive in moist soil, or if you tend to forget to water. One of the downsides to clay pots is that clay is porous. Clay pots wick water and potting mix dries out faster which means you need to water plants more. Durability.