Make sure your landscaping or interior design projects don’t fail by choosing the best types of pots for plants!
Since every type of plant container has its own advantages and drawbacks, weigh them out before you make any decision. To do this effectively, you need to take into account:
Choosing the right type of plant containers is a smart investment. You want them to last year after year.
In this article, we’ll look at the best plant pot materials, shapes, and sizes, so you can make an informed decision on your plant pot sourcing mission!
Ready to start sourcing? Learn more about our custom planter manufacturing services and how they can benefit your organization!. Contents
What Are Plant Pots Made Of? A Guide to Pot Materials
When selecting pots for your plants, it’s important to understand the properties of different materials so you can choose the best option Plant pots come in a variety of materials including clay, plastic, ceramic, metal, wood, concrete, and more. Here’s an overview of the most common pot materials, their benefits, and drawbacks
Clay
Clay pots are a traditional choice made from natural terracotta clay. The clay is shaped and fired at high temperatures to make the pots porous and give them their distinctive terra cotta color.
Benefits of clay pots:
- Allow air and moisture to penetrate, promoting healthy roots
- Available in diverse shapes and sizes
- Provide a natural, earthy look
- Durable yet inexpensive
Drawbacks:
- Heavy, making large pots hard to move
- Require frequent watering due to porosity
- Can crack from exposure to frost or temperature changes
Plastic
Plastic pots are extremely common, lightweight, durable, and affordable. They come in endless shapes, colors, and styles.
Benefits of plastic pots:
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Inexpensive and reusable or disposable
- Molded into any imaginable shape
- Durable and resistant to cracking
- Provide insulation for roots
Drawbacks:
- Not as aesthetically pleasing for some situations
- Can degrade over time from sun exposure
- Not as breathable as terra cotta or wood
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic pots are made from natural clay fired at high temperatures. The glaze makes them non-porous. Styles include Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Asian designs.
Benefits of ceramic pots:
- Attractive glazed colors and designs
- Durable, crack-resistant, and weatherproof
- Retain moisture well
- Provide insulation for plant roots
- Large variety of shapes and motifs
Drawbacks:
- Heavier than plastic and prone to breaking
- Glazes can contain lead or toxic metals
- More expensive than plastic or terra cotta
Metal
Metal pots like galvanized steel, copper, and more make dramatic choices with metallic sheen. Thicker metals tend to last longer. Plastic liners help insulate roots from heat/cold transfer.
Benefits of metal pots:
- Very durable against cracking or breaking
- Excellent heat conduction
- Wide range of colors and finishes
- Stainless steel resists corrosion and rust
Drawbacks:
- Can get very hot in direct sun
- Heavy in large sizes
- Prone to denting from impacts
Wood
Wood planters like cedar, teak, oak, and redwood resist decay and provide a natural, rustic look. Wooden pots are often lined to prevent soil leakage.
Benefits of wood pots:
- Provide an earthy, natural aesthetic
- Durable and long-lasting resistant varieties
- Offer insulation to maintain soil temperatures
- Usually lightweight for their size
Drawbacks:
- Can be expensive, especially large sizes
- Requires sealing to prevent rotting
- Won’t last as long outdoors as ceramic or metal
Concrete
Concrete planters provide a natural stone appearance and great durability. They are made by pouring concrete into molds and allowing to cure.
Benefits of concrete pots:
- Very durable against cracking or chipping
- Can be molded into any shape with smooth textures
- Provides excellent insulation for roots
- Has a natural stone look
- Can last many years if properly sealed
Drawbacks:
- Extremely heavy and permanent once placed
- Can degrade over years from moisture and freeze-thaw cycles
- Requires sealing to prevent water penetration and cracking
Hopefully this gives you a helpful overview of the most popular materials used to make plant pots and planters! Consider factors like weight, durability, insulation, aesthetics, and cost to determine the best option for your needs. With proper care and pot selection, your plants will thrive.
What Are Other Names For Plant Pots?
Plant pots, planters, planter boxes, garden containers – all of these terms refer to the same thing – plant pots! Though there are many different types of plant pot materials and styles – which we will look at later, for now, let’s look at the 2 categories that you must consider first.
Terracotta Pots And Ceramic Pots
Terracotta and ceramic pots are planting pots made from a variety of clay-based materials. Terracotta, which means “baked earth” in Italian, is a kind of unglazed, slightly porous pottery composed of clay. These are the well-known reddish-brown clay pots used as planting containers.
Ceramic pots tend to be made of denser, less porous earthen materials, and they are always glazed, both inside and out. All these types of ceramics have similar properties when used as planting containers.
Advantages
- Visually appealing: Terra cotta pots are traditional planting pots with a neutral and warm tint that complements practically any outdoor or indoor plants.
- Wide range of quality and cost: Terracotta pots are available on the market from super cheap to incredibly expensive.
Disadvantages
- Heavy: Terracotta pots may be fairly weighty when filled with soil. Fill the base of large pots with empty, unopened plastic bottles before filling them with potting mix to make them lighter.
- Not durable: Terracotta pots are extremely fragile and will almost always break if dropped. Though, glazed ceramic pots, or terracotta that have been glazed on the inside so that the inside surface is shiny, are less prone to drying out and are also more durable.
Into larger pot? have a look at our Manufacturer’s Guide To Large Pots For Trees | Sizes, Care, And Best Plants
Waste baskets used as plant pots #plantpots #planthack #planttips
FAQ
What material are plant pots made of?
Materials like clay, terracotta, and wood are among the most popular natural materials used in outdoor planters, as they come in various colors, shapes, and sizes. Natural materials like these have been used for centuries and can last for years when properly cared for.
What material is used to make pots?
What is pottery? Pottery is made by combining naturally occurring raw materials, such as clay, earthen minerals, and water and shaping them into forms. Once shaped, the clay body is fired in a kiln at a high temperature to be hardened and heat resistant.
What type of plastic are plant pots made from?
pp5 (polypropylene)
And before you know it, your old plant pots and labels are transformed into new ones.
Are plant pots made of ceramic?
Terracotta and ceramic are two of the most common planter materials around. While they have a lot in common, they do have specific differences that make certain plants better suited to one or the other.