Gardenchee

Growing your plant at home is a rewarding experience in itself. Not only do you benefit from the special bond you develop with it but it also helps the environment. The choice of types of garden pots for your plant becomes important when you start gardening.

To grow your food from a plant can mean saving vast lands for which trees are cut down. As deforestation and agriculture are major reasons for climate change, you contribute to saving the planet every time you home grow one.

When buying a pot for the plant, along with elegance and price, we should also keep the material in mind. You want to look at its sustainability, durability, and affordability. 

Here, we take a look at the different types of pots along with their pros and cons-

1. Wooden Garden Pots

A wooden pot can add a great traditional and homemade look to your backyard. It can be shaped and styled according to your preference and is the cheapest alternative if you want to custom-size your pot. 

With the right type of wood and maintenance, a wooden pot is durable and can last for a long time. There are many kinds of wood you can choose from- cedar, redwood, and pine are the most popular choices. Cedar and redwood have long-lasting properties but are expensive. Pine is generally cheaper but will not last as long unless treated under the right conditions.

Some advantages of using a wooden planting container are that it is easy to construct, cheaper than its alternatives, and can be made from repurposed wood. 

It is best to wood from old furniture as it is environmentally friendly and doesn’t source wood from trees that were cut down for this purpose.

A big disadvantage of using wood is it is prone to splitting and fading. It is also high maintenance and can also be heavy.

Also Read: 34 Trellis Ideas To Make Your Garden Beautiful

2. Plastic Garden Pots

The most popular choice for pots, plastic is attractive and comes in various styles and shapes. Plastic pots are diverse and can fit into any category, whether it’s traditional or modern. They are practical and you don’t have to worry about them denting or rusting. 

Plastic is one of the most high-quality, indestructible, and lightweight alternatives as a  choice of material. Pots made from them also last many seasons. 

As for its faults, they are not robust and can feel cheap. Plastic pots can also fade or turn brittle in the sun. A major drawback is that they are not environmentally friendly as they are non-degradable. However, you can recycle them. 

Also Read: How to Grow Ginger at Home?

3. Terracotta Garden Pots

Literally translating to ‘baked earth,’ terracotta is a more traditional choice for a pot. It is made from porous and a bit coarse clay. Most of these containers take the colour of conventional reddish brown. But, they can also come in pink, beige, or brown colours depending on the property of the clay used. 

There are many advantages to using a terracotta pot. Firstly, they have reasonable pricing and are eco-friendly. Not only are they robust and stable, but they are also very durable and can last years. They have good drainage and can circulate air and water easily through the soil. Make sure to invest in high-fired kinds as the inexpensive can break quite easily. 

As a drawback, terracotta pots are heavy to move and can break if you were to drop them. You will also have to water the plants in these pots frequently as they absorb moisture quickly.

4. Metal Pots

Metal pots are getting quite popular these days. They are pretty diverse and can fit any style, from contemporary to traditional. These pots give a unique look if added to the garden and can serve as an accent piece. You can even keep them indoors to complement your furniture and the overall look of your house. 

You have several choices when selecting a metal pot- from aluminium and copper to tin and iron. It is encouraged to let these pots rust a little as they add to the pot’s character and give it a natural design.

The advantages of going for a metal planter are that they are extremely pleasing to the eyes and are very durable. Unfortunately, they are also prone to overheating in the summer. We recommend using them in winters or places with mild-moderate summers. If you live in one of the Himalayan states in India, you can easily go for a metal pot.

5. Concrete Pots

Concrete pots are beautiful and elegant pots to look at. They give a more traditional and classic look than contemporary. As they are durable enough to last for decades, they need periodic maintenance to look good. They also can stand every weather condition and can protect the roots against huge temperature changes.

As for its drawbacks, they are expensive, extremely heavy, and can’t be moved easily. They will also leach lime when coming into contact with water, staining coloured concrete. However, this is preventable by taking appropriate measures.

Also Read: Benefits of Plant- 5 Important Things You Must Know

The right kind of pots can beautify your garden a great deal. When selecting your preferable pot material (keeping its pros and cons in mind), you still have to decide on how you want to arrange your plants. 

The best way to use your space for gardening is the vertical gardening system which uses structures or columnar trees to create a garden room. In this system, plants grow on a vertically suspended panel without using soil, but hydroponic principles.

By using a vertical gardening system, you can save space while making a dull wall brighten up. You can even get creative with it and go for tiered shelving on an old ladder which you can place against a wall. Not only is this system sustainable but if done with eco-friendly pots, it can be a big boon for the planet.

So, exercise your green thumb a little and get started on making the garden of your dreams!