Plant pots come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials When selecting pots for your plants, it’s important to understand the properties of different materials so you can choose the best option for your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the most common materials used to make plant pots and the advantages and disadvantages of each
Clay
Clay is one of the oldest and most traditional materials used for plant pots. Terracotta pots are a type of clay pot made from natural reddish clay. The clay is shaped and then fired at high temperatures in a kiln, which makes the pots porous and gives them their distinctive terra cotta color.
Advantages of clay pots
- Natural material that allows air and moisture to penetrate, promoting healthy root growth
- Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes
- Provides a natural, earthy look in any setting
- Durable yet inexpensive
Disadvantages:
- Heavy and brittle, making large pots difficult to move
- Require more frequent watering due to porosity
- Can crack from exposure to frost or rapid temperature changes
Plastic
Plastic is now arguably the most common material for plant pots. Made from various types of plastic polymers, these pots are lightweight, inexpensive, and available in endless shapes, colors, and styles.
Advantages of plastic pots:
- Extremely lightweight and easy to move
- Low cost makes them disposable or reusable
- Molded into any shape imaginable
- Durable and resistant to cracking
- Provide good insulation for root systems
Disadvantages:
- Not as aesthetically pleasing for some situations
- Can degrade over time from sun exposure
- Not as breathable as terra cotta or wood
- Made from non-renewable resources
Ceramic
Ceramic plant pots are made from natural clay that has been glazed and fired at high kiln temperatures. The glazing makes them non-porous. Popular ceramic styles include Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Asian designs.
Advantages of ceramic pots:
- Attractive glazed finish in myriad colors and designs
- Durable, crack-resistant, and weatherproof
- Retain moisture well so require less frequent watering
- Provide insulating properties for plant roots
- Large variety of shapes and motifs
Disadvantages:
- Heavier than plastic and more prone to breaking
- Glazes can sometimes contain lead or other toxic metals
- More expensive than plastic or terra cotta pots
Wood
Wood offers a natural, rustic look for plant pots. Cedar, teak, oak, and redwood are commonly used, as they resist decay. Wooden pots are often lined with plastic or other material to prevent soil leakage.
Advantages of wood pots:
- Provide a natural, earthy aesthetic
- Durable and long-lasting, especially resistant varieties like cedar
- Offers insulation to maintain consistent soil temperatures
- Usually lightweight and easier to move than clay or ceramic
Disadvantages:
- Can be expensive, especially for large planters
- Requires sealing and occasional re-sealing to prevent rotting
- Won’t last as long as plastic, ceramic, or metal pots outdoors
Metal
You’ll often see galvanized steel, copper, and other metal pots used for indoor and outdoor planting. Their eye-catching metallic sheen makes them a dramatic choice.
Advantages of metal pots:
- Very durable against cracking, chipping, or breaking
- Excellent heat conduction helps prevent soil from getting too hot
- Wide range of colors and finishes like copper, zinc, and more
- Stainless steel resists corrosion and rust
Disadvantages:
- Can get very hot in direct sun, requiring more frequent watering
- Heavier than plastic, wood, or fiberglass when large
- Can be prone to denting from impacts or pressure
- More expensive than plastic or ceramic
Fiberglass
Fiberglass planters offer a durable plastic alternative and can mimic materials like stone, metal, and woven rattan. They resist fading and cracking better than typical plastic.
Advantages of fiberglass pots:
- Extremely durable and long lasting like plastic
- Mimics natural materials like stone, wood, and wicker
- Resists fading, denting, and other damage
- Lighter than ceramic, metal, or concrete pots
- Available in wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors
Disadvantages:
- Not as breathable as terra cotta or wood
- Can become brittle after prolonged sun exposure
- Usually more expensive than typical plastic pots
Concrete
Concrete planters are popular for their natural appearance and durability. They are made by pouring concrete into molds and allowing to cure. These heavy pots are ideal for permanence.
Advantages of concrete pots:
- Very durable against cracking or chipping
- Can be molded into any shape with smooth textures
- Provides excellent insulation for roots
- Has a natural stone/concrete appearance
- Can last many years if properly sealed
Disadvantages:
- Extremely heavy and permanent once placed
- Can degrade over years from moisture and freeze-thaw cycles
- Requires sealing to prevent water penetrating and cracking
- Not as visually appealing as ceramic or wood pots
There are clearly many options when selecting materials for plant pots. Consider factors like weight, durability, insulation, and appearance to determine which type best suits your plants and design aesthetic. With good plant care and proper pot selection, your plants will thrive indoors or out.
Fiberglass planters vs. Terracotta planters
The biggest difference between terracotta and fiberglass planters is their customizability. It is easier to change the colors of fiberglass, and it is being used more and more in modern interior design.
To change the color of terracotta, you have to change the molecules, but you can paint fiberglass planters again. Fiberglass planters are also much lighter than terracotta planters, which makes it much easier to move them around. Terracotta pots often have a very weighty feel to them too.
Both of these materials have their own look, and terracotta pots and planters are often used to fill out small gardens at home because they look old. Both metal and ceramic planters give plants support and room to grow and root, but terracotta planters can crack in cold weather and keep in too much heat, which can hurt the roots of the plants.
Metal containers come in a lot of different types, but the most common ones are made of steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper. As an outdoor planter, metal containers, especially steel, will rust over the years to become red in hue. This process is quickened by the outside elements. To make sure the metal doesn’t get waterlogged, drill holes in the bottom to let water drain away and air flow well.
Strength – Metal containers are extremely strong and durable. They won’t chip, crack, or scratch, and can be left outside to age with no problems. Galvanized steel is even stronger and will be more weather-resistant compared to other planters in your container garden.
Decoration—Metal containers look great with any style, and they come in a lot of different metals that can be used. Choose the right metal for your style. Galvanized steel, aluminum, and zinc have the industrial look that many interior designers chase. Rusty metals like copper and steel that has been used a lot look great in a farm kitchen.
Weight: Big metal containers can be very heavy, so they’re not great for moving around a lot. The benefit is that they won’t be blown around or knocked over very easily. This makes them a great choice for large corporate settings where a strong industrial look is sought after.
Too much heat—Metal containers can get very hot in direct sunlight, which can hurt your plants’ roots. Because of this, metal planters should be kept in the shade or brought inside when it’s hot outside.
Fiberglass planters vs. Wooden planters
Even though they all look different, wooden planters and pots have a much more defined style than fiberglass planters. You might want to get a planter made of wood if you want it to look old or rustic, but it does have some problems.
Fiberglass is better at handling varying climates. The changes won’t hurt wood as much if it’s properly sealed and varnished, but humidity will damage a wooden planter more quickly than a fiberglass one. In an office setting the degradation will be slower, but the wood will go before the fiberglass does.
Fiberglass is also much more customizable than wood. Because we offer so many painting options and styles, they can look almost exactly like any other material, except for wood. Wood looks best when it’s left alone, but you can cover it up with different paints or cuts.
But in the end, it won’t look better than another option, and making it look like a cheaper option often costs a lot more.
Plastic chemicals like Polyurethane and Polyethylene are used to make foam planters. They come in different grades, from thin to thick. It’s better to leave polyurethane outside in the summer and winter because it keeps heat in than other foams.
Both types of foam can be used to make pots that look a bit like terracotta and can be made in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. One of the best things about foam is how strong it is compared to how light it is. However, cheap foam containers don’t have any strength or weight.
Weight – Foam is one of the lightest materials on the market. A foam container is perfect for transporting your plants around if ever you move house!.
Price—Foam planters are pretty cheap, so shops often give them to you as a plant pot until you find something better.
Durability: Foam planters aren’t meant to be used for a long time, and even the best ones won’t last more than two winters.
Effects on the environment: The structure will stay together for a few years, but the foam is likely to break down and fall apart all over the place, which is the same thing as spreading plastic pollution.
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