Picking the Perfect Pot

Terra-cotta (literally "baked earth") is a very porous material. The pot walls absorb water from the soil and excess moisture evaporates, so soil dries out fast. Harmful salts don’t build up because water and fertilizer move out through the container walls; this is what causes the white stains you frequently see on terra-cotta pots. The least expensive and least durable type is "low-fired" -- it makes a dull thud when you tap it. The surface is easily scratched and leaves a terra-cotta powder residue when you touch it. The more "high-fired" ones last longer and have more of a ring, when tapped. Regardless of the type, both need frequent watering.

Glazed ceramic containers come in a variety of shapes and colors. They are a decorative element in their own right, so the color of your pot should harmonize with the foliage and flower colors of your plant. These pots are non-porous, so they hold moisture longer; be careful not to over-water them.

Wood containers are very porous, unless treated with a waterproof sealer. They give your garden a casual, even rustic look. Redwood, cedar or cypress tend to be rot-resistant and therefore, last longer. If you do waterproof your wood container, it will then become non-porous, so you need to water accordingly.

Plastic pots are less expensive than most other choices. Non-porous and durable, they are a good choice for a plant which might dry out too much in a terra-cotta container.

Self-watering pots have a built-in reservoir that you fill with water and then the plant takes it up, as needed. As long as you keep the reservoir filled, these are good for plants that need to be kept moist.

Items such as old wheelbarrows, wicker baskets, wire birdcages, chimney pipes, metal buckets, and old cooking pots all make interesting and attractive containers. Just make sure they are adequate in size and have some drainage.

The type of container you choose really is limited only by your imagination. You can make a dramatic statement about your garden not only with the plants you grow, but with the containers they live in. Now, go out and find that perfect pot!

This article is part of the Suite101 "Container Gardening" topic area. For the other Suite101 articles and discussion forums on Container Gardening, see the Welcome Page on Suite101.

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