Three Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Plant Pots

https://www.mpgplanters.com/, if you select the wrong pot, you can waste money, time and even damage your plants. There are three main features to consider when choosing containers:  Drainage, Porosity and Weight. These and other factors, can help you avoid making costly mistakes.

1. Drainage
Whichever container you select, it must have adequate drainage holes.  Healthy plants not only need room to grow, but also adequate oxygen for the roots.  Excess water must be able to escape or plants will drown.

2. Porosity
Porous containers such as those made from unglazed terracotta or clay, timber, paper pulp and other natural materials allow moisture and air to move through them.

The key benefits with materials that ‘breathe’:

They allow air to circulate around plant roots;
As the moisture evaporates out the side of the pot, it cools the soil and helps draw excess water, preventing root rot.
The down side is these containers dry out more quickly and so does the potting mix, so they need watering more frequently. 3. Weight

Moist soil gets very heavy when wet. If you choose a heavy container, this will make it harder to move it around.

It’s advisable to consider the total weight (soil + pot + plants + water) of each container.  This is really important if you are gardening on a balcony or deck. You may need to consult an engineer to find out if the structural capacity can handle the additional weight.

If mobility and changing the look of your garden on a regular basis is an important consideration, select containers made from lightweight materials or put them on castors before you plant them out.

However, if you want stability in a windy or exposed position, then a heavy container may be a more suitable choice for top-heavy or tall plants. A sturdy pot can reduce the risk of winds blowing them over and damage.

Other aspects that may play a role in your decision include:
A selection of pots of different materials
Durability and aesthetics are two advantages of ceramic pots.

Aesthetics: Colour, shape, size and ornamental value.
Cost and Time: Depending on your budget and time you have to spend, you may choose to reuse or recycle containers rather than have the convenience of buying new.  Many people prefer to use pre-loved or repurposed containers or pots rather than buy at full retail cost.  You can save money, extend the life of an object rather than throwing it away and add character to your garden with a little creative thinking.
Food Safe: Some materials like plastics and metal can leach chemicals into the soil, so you may also want to select your containers very carefully if you plan to grow food.
Maintenance: If you want low maintenance pots, consider a material that doesn’t need restoring from time to time such as wood.  Wooden containers may need to be treated annually with a preservative or stain to retain their appearance and prevent deterioration in the weather.  Using such chemicals adds to the overall cost and can be a health hazard, especially if you are growing food. However if you love a rustic or earthy look, want to grow ornamentals and have the time, then these may not be issues for you.
Durability: The length of life depends on the quality and type of materials used and where the container will be located.  Think about whether you only need a temporary container or one that will last for longer.