The pots of your plants are their home. Inside the pot is the substrate, from where it gets water and nutrients to grow and develop, so they are not a trivial choice, as many factors will depend on it that can contribute to (or delay) the correct development of your plants.
Don't panic, we're here to teach you everything you need to know about pots and how to choose the perfect one for your plant.
Size does matter
First of all, let's talk about the diameter of the pot. Remember when you were an infant and they bought you clothes or shoes a couple of sizes too big and it was super uncomfortable? Something similar happens with plants. It's no exaggeration here, because a giant pot isn't always ideal for your plant, but the opposite extreme isn't ideal either.
A pot that is too large concentrates moisture for too long and will make your plant prone to waterlogging and its roots will suffer from rot. If the pot is too small for the plant it will have a tendency to tip over due to the weight, and the substrate will dry out too quickly, it will not have enough food and the roots will stay too close together, affecting its growth.
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Ideally, a plant should have a pot that is 5 to 10 cm in diameter extra than its previous pot. You can look for a larger pot for those species that grow very fast, but don't overdo it. Another way to choose the size of the pot is to know the final size of your plant according to its species.
Choose a pot that is half the final size of the plant. For example, for plants that grow about 50 cm tall, look for pots that are about 30 cm tall. For plants of one meter, look for one that is about 50 cm in diameter.
The depth of the pot is also just as important as the diameter, as it is the space the plant will have to develop its roots and will determine its vertical growth. There are species that don't have very deep roots, such as cacti and succulents, so you can plant in shallow pots. Otherwise, it's best to look for deep pots. The plant will tell you if it's enough: if it's not, you'll see the plant squint, detaching the substrate from the pot, and you'll see the roots peeking out.
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Pay attention to the material
It is possible to find pots of all the materials you can imagine. From the typical plastic, to porcelain, clay and even acrylic.
The choice of material does not depend only on an aesthetic issue, but this can influence the humidity levels of your plant.
Plastic pots have their advantages. They are inexpensive, lightweight and durable but also prevent the rapid removal of irrigation water. For this reason they are perfect for plants that require high levels of humidity, but if they are subjected to direct sun they have a major defect, because they absorb solar radiation and can subject the roots to high temperatures.
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Clay and terracotta pots are a bit heavier and more expensive, but being a porous material allows water to evaporate more easily. This is ideal for plants that can't stand waterlogging and prefer a rather dry substrate. You have to be careful with them in frost, as they can break due to sudden changes in temperature. Ceramic pots are not only very cute, but they are a little less porous than mud and allow moisture to be retained for a little longer.
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If you're into aesthetics, then you should know that you can put your plant in the pot of the material that best suits its watering needs but cover it with a decorative pot. There are decorative pots that are of very fun shapes and materials but that do not have drainage holes, because the objective is that inside them you place another functional pot, a little smaller but with its drainage and the appropriate material. The great thing about decorative pots is that you can vary them to your liking, because you only have to move the inner pot.
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While
thesize of a pot, the depth and material can vary according to your tastes and the needs of the plant species, there is only one detail that is universal for all pots: drainage. Every time you go to buy a new pot to transplant your green companions, you should check that it has sufficient and wide drainage holes. An undrained pot is the slow-motion equivalent of the Titanic for your plants: you'll see them drown very slowly.
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Poor drainage contributes to root rot, so you should have holes that allow water to flow. To prevent them from being clogged with the substrate, it is advisable to add a layer of pebbles, lava rocks or even styrofoam in small pieces. This makes it easier to remove excess water and will keep your plants happy. If you're using decorative pots, it's a good idea to take them out and let them drain after watering or remember to drain any excess water that may have been trapped in the decorative pot.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
I like to think of pots as outfits that my plants can wear. And it is that they can become a decorative accessory, which can not only be chosen thinking about colors, but also about materials, heights and designs.
And don't forget to check out the accessories section of Be.Green, I bet you'll find the perfect pot for your plant and to match your décor.