Pot Plant Containers: An Introduction

plant pots southeastern growers

So you’ve decided to plant your garden in pots. But, you go to buy them and there are so many different kinds to choose from! How do you decide?

Here is a breakdown of what types of planting pots are out there and which ones work best for what.

Light Colored Plastic Pots: cheap, heat up and cool down quickly, often many drainage holes, easy to add holes in, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, keep moisture inside

Black Plastic Pots: heat up very quickly, good for plants in the shade

White Polystyrene Boxes: amazing insulation, very cheap, readily available, deep for root growth, lightweight, durable, easy to clean

Terracotta, ceramic, and concrete: visually appealing, needs to be modified for better drainage, retains heat

Stone Containers: very attractive, sturdy, retains heat, environmentally friendly

Self-Watering Pots: great for hanging plants that dry out quickly, lightweight, time-saving, great for busy people

Wooden Boxes: light to mid weight, have a lot of character, functional, customizable, great insulation

Metal Containers: decorative, durable, not great for insulation, often used to hide other less-attractive pots.

Grow Bags: new to the market, handles make them easy to move, UV resistant, compact, great drainage

The Pros Of Container Gardening

container garden southeastern growers

Not sure that container gardening is the thing for you? Well, here are a few reasons why you should be planting your garden in containers!

  • Versatility: planting in containers or pots can allow you to plant on a patio, in a courtyard, inside, on a windowsill, on a balcony, even on the deck of a boat!
  • Weed-Free: while it’s still possible to get weeds in your potted plants, it’s very unlikely due to the low surface area.
  • No Heavy-Duty: due to the small amount of space, you do not need any large or complicated tools to tend your plants.
  • Mobile: since your plants are in a pot or container, you can easily move them around without having to uproot them!
  • Control: plants that grow quickly, like mint and bamboo, may not be the best to plant in the ground with other plants. In a pot, they stay by themselves and do not disturb the other foliage.
  • Healthy Plants: plants grown and maintained in post or containers are less likely to have diseases.
  • Easy Fertilizing: plants in containers are easily fertilized and maintained because the nutrients you put into their pots aren’t absorbed by the surrounding plants.
  • Theft Be Gone: planting in pots reduces the risk of animals nibbling at your garden.
  • Kitchen Convenience: growing herbs and veggies in a pot can aid in the convenience and safety of your edible plants.
  • Shielded Leisure: use potted plants on a windowsill or around a door to add a layer of privacy from the outdoors.
  • Indoor Oxygen-Boost: by keeping plants potted indoors, the indoor air quality is improved.
  • Ornamental: plants offer a nice alternative for decor around your home, both inside and out.
  • Longer Harvests: the warmer soil that is in pots (as opposed to the ground) may lead to earlier harvest time for some crops.