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