A collection of cacti and succulents in terracotta containers at The Living Desert, Arizona. Photo Amanda Jarrett
Black pots absorb heat, which this Little Bites window box cherry tomato appreciates.
Choosing a Container
No matter what kind of container you use, save your deck and patio, by placing pot feet under the container or keep them on a plant stand. Some even have wheels. Keeping planters off the ground also prevent plants from rooting in the soil below and deters slugs from climbing up the pots.
Black and dark containers absorb heat, which is good when it’s cool but if it gets too hot, roots will die back. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, succulents and other heat loving plants appreciate warm roots, but lettuce, broccoli and peas do not appreciate such conditions. Be sure to do your research to find out where a plant comes from to determine if it likes it hot or not. Go to Growing Food for more information.
No matter what kind of container you use, save your deck and patio, by placing pot feet under the container or keep them on a plant stand. Some even have wheels. Keeping planters off the ground also prevent plants from rooting in the soil below and deters slugs from climbing up the pots.
Black and dark containers absorb heat, which is good when it’s cool but if it gets too hot, roots will die back. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, succulents and other heat loving plants appreciate warm roots, but lettuce, broccoli and peas do not appreciate such conditions. Be sure to do your research to find out where a plant comes from to determine if it likes it hot or not. Go to Growing Food for more information.
Terra cotta pots are perfect for sun loving dianthus.
Terracotta (unglazed clay)
Made from clay, terracotta pots are easy to find, inexpensive, age well and are heavy so they don’t blow over, however big ones are difficult to move. They are porous allowing the transfer of water and air to roots so you have to water more often - perfect for cacti and succulents. To decrease the porosity and thereby reducing watering, seal the inside and the bottom with a terracotta sealer. Low-fired clay pots are extra porous and prone to frost damage compared to high-temperature fired ones, so ask before buying. Price is a good indicator of quality. On the con side, terracotta pots break easily, salts build up on their rims, prone to cracking when temperatures fluctuate. Since they absorb water from the soil around plant roots, soak them overnight before planting.
Glazed Clay
Glazed clay pots are easy to find and are available in many colours, designs and shapes. They are heavy so don’t blow over, but big ones are difficult to relocate. They are nonporous and have good water retention with good insulation to heat and cold, however since they lack porosity be careful not to overwater. Not suitable for cacti and succulents. They chip and break easily and are often more expensive than terra cotta.
Made from clay, terracotta pots are easy to find, inexpensive, age well and are heavy so they don’t blow over, however big ones are difficult to move. They are porous allowing the transfer of water and air to roots so you have to water more often - perfect for cacti and succulents. To decrease the porosity and thereby reducing watering, seal the inside and the bottom with a terracotta sealer. Low-fired clay pots are extra porous and prone to frost damage compared to high-temperature fired ones, so ask before buying. Price is a good indicator of quality. On the con side, terracotta pots break easily, salts build up on their rims, prone to cracking when temperatures fluctuate. Since they absorb water from the soil around plant roots, soak them overnight before planting.
Glazed Clay
Glazed clay pots are easy to find and are available in many colours, designs and shapes. They are heavy so don’t blow over, but big ones are difficult to relocate. They are nonporous and have good water retention with good insulation to heat and cold, however since they lack porosity be careful not to overwater. Not suitable for cacti and succulents. They chip and break easily and are often more expensive than terra cotta.
A wood barrel filled with bergenias.
Stone Containers
Either made from a solid piece of stone or cast in a mold, they are very durable and last for years. Stone planters have good insulation and age well. They are heavy so they don’t blow over, but difficult to move. Often quite expensive.
Wooden Containers
Wood planters are usually inexpensive and have a rustic, informal appearance. They are easy to make, paint or stain. Good insulator and generally lighter than concrete and stone. Use rot-resistant wood: cedar, teak, redwood and avoid pressure treated wood, especially when growing edibles, due to toxic chemicals leaching into the soil. To prolong a planter’s life, seal the joints with a polyurethane or silicone based caulk to prevent soil penetrating the crevices. If you are not painting it, coat all surfaces with Danish oil or an oil based urethane wood stain. Line with a layer of heavy-duty plastic then punch in a few holes to allow for drainage. Raise off the ground with pot feet or a planter dolly to prevent the bottom from rotting. Add wheels to make it mobile.
Either made from a solid piece of stone or cast in a mold, they are very durable and last for years. Stone planters have good insulation and age well. They are heavy so they don’t blow over, but difficult to move. Often quite expensive.
Wooden Containers
Wood planters are usually inexpensive and have a rustic, informal appearance. They are easy to make, paint or stain. Good insulator and generally lighter than concrete and stone. Use rot-resistant wood: cedar, teak, redwood and avoid pressure treated wood, especially when growing edibles, due to toxic chemicals leaching into the soil. To prolong a planter’s life, seal the joints with a polyurethane or silicone based caulk to prevent soil penetrating the crevices. If you are not painting it, coat all surfaces with Danish oil or an oil based urethane wood stain. Line with a layer of heavy-duty plastic then punch in a few holes to allow for drainage. Raise off the ground with pot feet or a planter dolly to prevent the bottom from rotting. Add wheels to make it mobile.
A metal container at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Plastic Containers
Plastic containers are easy to find, inexpensive, come in all shapes, sizes, styles and colours. They are non-porous so water less often as soil stays wet longer. Poor quality plastic chips, splits and fades quickly; better quality ones take longer. All plastic becomes brittle and degrades in the sun. Although black plastic retains heat for heat loving plants, all plastic has little insulating value. Because they are lightweight, they are easy to move, but are easily blown over. They are not long-lived and don’t age gracefully.
Metal Containers
Metal containers clean lines denote a modern, chic look. They are generally lightweight and don’t break or chip. Select stainless steel or galvanized metal to avoid rust or pre-coated steel. It is anti-corrosive, recyclable durable and scratch resistant but is easily dented. Another option is powder coated metal, which has a rustproof coating. Since metal has little insulating value, place another pot inside that has better insulation. Generally they are not suitable for perennials, trees or shrubs because they are too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
Plastic containers are easy to find, inexpensive, come in all shapes, sizes, styles and colours. They are non-porous so water less often as soil stays wet longer. Poor quality plastic chips, splits and fades quickly; better quality ones take longer. All plastic becomes brittle and degrades in the sun. Although black plastic retains heat for heat loving plants, all plastic has little insulating value. Because they are lightweight, they are easy to move, but are easily blown over. They are not long-lived and don’t age gracefully.
Metal Containers
Metal containers clean lines denote a modern, chic look. They are generally lightweight and don’t break or chip. Select stainless steel or galvanized metal to avoid rust or pre-coated steel. It is anti-corrosive, recyclable durable and scratch resistant but is easily dented. Another option is powder coated metal, which has a rustproof coating. Since metal has little insulating value, place another pot inside that has better insulation. Generally they are not suitable for perennials, trees or shrubs because they are too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
Fibreglass Containers
Fiberglass containers come in many shapes and sizes, with excellent replicas of concrete, stone and terra cotta. They are strong, long lasting, and durable with good insulating value. Suitable for perennials, trees and shrubs. They are expensive and because they are lightweight, they easily blow over.
Polystyrene Foam
Similar to fibreglass as they often imitate other materials such as terra cotta. They are lightweight, sturdy, long lasting, insulate roots and are suitable for perennials, trees and shrubs. They are often expensive. Since they are non-porous, root rot is an issue so add extra drainage holes.
Fiberglass containers come in many shapes and sizes, with excellent replicas of concrete, stone and terra cotta. They are strong, long lasting, and durable with good insulating value. Suitable for perennials, trees and shrubs. They are expensive and because they are lightweight, they easily blow over.
Polystyrene Foam
Similar to fibreglass as they often imitate other materials such as terra cotta. They are lightweight, sturdy, long lasting, insulate roots and are suitable for perennials, trees and shrubs. They are often expensive. Since they are non-porous, root rot is an issue so add extra drainage holes.
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Concrete
Well-made concrete planters have longevity and come in many styles and shapes. Since they are heavy they don’t blow over but they are difficult to relocate. Concrete leaches lime into the soil, especially new ones, which makes soil more alkaline. Good for alpine plants, especially homemade hypertufa pots. Self-Watering Pots These handy pots contain a reservoir to collect water and a wick to absorb the water into the soil. Add water by filling the reservoir at the base of the pot. Made of durable plastic, therefore lightweight. They are more expensive than regular plastic pots. Suitable for bedding plants but not for perennials, trees, shrubs as roots grow into the reservoir promoting root rot and make it difficult to remove the plant to repot. Hanging Planters Hanging planters are often inexpensive wire baskets lined with sphagnum moss or coir fibre (coconut). Select plastic coated wire as they are more durable and rustproof than non-coated. Best used for bedding plants as there’s not much room for root growth. Since they dry out quickly, line the moss with plastic with a few holes poked in before adding the soil. Submerge the entire basket in water if dries out to rewet. Since most don't have drainage trays, water drips onto surfaces below so locate where dripping water is not a problem. Avoid windy and sunny areas to reduce drying out. I prefer plastic self-watering hanging pots as they cut down on watering. When selecting regular hanging plastic pots, opt for ones with large drainage trays that are attached to the pots. |
Concrete & hypertufa pots are great for alpine plants. UBC
This pot has a reservoir, just add water to the hole.
This long planter works well for veggies as it has a reservoir below.
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Amanda's Garden Consulting Company
The Garden Website