What is a Grow Pot? A Complete Guide to Cannabis Growing Containers

A grow pot also known as a plant pot or container is an essential tool for growing healthy cannabis plants. Choosing the right pot allows your cannabis roots to spread out and thrive. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting a cannabis grow pot and the most common types of pots used by home growers.

Why Are Grow Pots Important for Cannabis?

Grow pots provide structural support and help retain moisture while allowing excess water to drain away. This encourages healthy root growth and prevents issues like root rot. Pots also give you full control over the growing medium, nutrients, and other inputs your cannabis receives. With the right container, you can create an optimal environment for your plants.

When shopping for grow pots, the main factors to evaluate are:

• Drainage – Pots must have drainage holes so excess moisture can escape Stagnant water leads to root disease

• Porosity – More porous pots like fabric and plastic provide airflow to the roots. Roots “breathe” through transpiration.

• Durability – Cannabis pots must be sturdy and durable. Fragile pots easily crack and break under a plant’s weight.

• Size – Pot size limits plant size Choose a pot size suitable for your cannabis strain and space.

• Shape – Shape affects plant growth patterns. Round pots encourage horizontal growth while tall pots support vertical growth.

Now let’s explore the most common types of grow pots for cannabis.

Plastic Grow Pots

Plastic pots are the most widely used containers for growing cannabis. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and available in many sizes.

The pros of plastic pots include:

• Inexpensive and reusable
• Available in many sizes
• Drainage holes allow excess water to escape
• Lighter weight than ceramic or fabric pots
• Can be used both indoors and outdoors
• Stackable for efficient storage

The cons of plastic pots:

• Not as porous as fabric pots
• Can become brittle and crack over time
• Roots may grow into sides and bottom of pot

Overall, plastic pots are a smart choice for new and experienced cannabis growers alike. Square plastic pots efficiently use grow space by fitting close together.

![Plastic cannabis grow pots][]

Plastic grow pots are inexpensive and reusable (Image Credit: Burst on Pexels)

Fabric Grow Pots

Fabric pots, also called smart pots, are soft-sided containers made from breathable materials like burlap, felt, or polypropylene.

The advantages of fabric pots include:

• Highly porous to allow excellent airflow
• Roots air prune instead of growing in circles
• Can prevent root binding and circling
• Allow for easy transplanting
• Many size options from 1 gallon to over 50 gallons
• Durable and reusable for many grows

The downsides of fabric pots:

• More expensive than plastic pots
• Need more frequent watering due to breathability
• Can dry out quickly in hot weather
• Difficult to move when filled with heavy soil

If you want maximum aeration for the roots, fabric pots are the way to go. The increased air flow keeps roots healthy and prevents root binding.![Smart pots][]

Fabric smart pots provide excellent airflow to roots (Image Credit: Scott Webb on Pexels)

Ceramic Grow Pots

Ceramic and terracotta pots have been used for thousands of years to grow plants. Modern ceramic pots come in a variety of styles and colors.

The pros of ceramic pots:

• Provide insulation to buffer root temperature
• Often have unique decorative styles
• Stabilize moisture levels due to porosity
• Get better with age as minerals build up
• Range from small to huge sizes

The cons of ceramic pots:

• Heavy when filled with soil
• Drainage holes must be drilled before using
• Can crack or chip if dropped or frozen
• Difficult to scrub clean when minerals build up

Ceramic pots are a good choice for outdoor cannabis growers in hot climates. The thick walls provide insulation to keep roots cool. Indoors, choose ceramic pots with adequate drainage holes.![Ceramic pot][]

Ceramic pots provide insulation for roots (Image Credit: Wendy on Pexels)

Air Pots

Air pots are an interesting modern option. These pots have inward facing ridges that prune roots when they reach the edges. This prevents circling and promotes lateral root growth.

The benefits of air pots include:

• Unique ridged design prunes roots
• Excellent drainage and airflow
• Available in many sizes
• Encourages lateral root branching
• Allows for easy transplanting

The limitations of air pots:

• Must use loose media like coco coir instead of soil
• Roots may grow out of bottom of pot
• Drainage can be too excessive in small pots

For growers wanting maximum oxygenation, air pots are a solid choice. Just be ready to water more frequently compared to other pot types.![Air pot cannabis][]

Air pots prune roots and prevent circling (Image Credit: Roberto Nickson on Pexels)

Hydroponic Grow Pots

For hydroponic systems, specialized pots and baskets designed to hold grow media are used. Common hydroponic pots include:

• Net pots – Small plastic containers filled with clay pebbles or coco coir
• Grow baskets – Plastic buckets with slots for roots to access water
• Grow blocks – Foam, rockwool, or Oasis rooting cubes

Hydroponic cannabis setups require different pots than traditional soil grows. Make sure to use containers suitable for the hydro medium and system.

Choosing the Right Cannabis Pot Size

Pot size should be matched to the size of your cannabis plants. Small pots severely limit plant size while oversized pots lead to wasted space and soil.

Typical pot sizes for indoor cannabis:

• Clones & Seedlings – 0.25 to 1 gallon pots
• Vegetative Stage – 1 to 3 gallon pots
• Flowering Stage – 3 to 5 gallon pots
• Large Plants – 5 to 10+ gallon pots

Outdoor plants can utilize much larger containers from 10 to over 50 gallons.

Transplant into larger pots as your cannabis outgrows each container. Avoid drastic pot size changes and minimize transplant shock.

Grow Pot Tips & Best Practices

• Disinfect new pots before use to prevent disease – bleach solution or hydrogen peroxide work well
• For fabric and plastic pots, ph adjust soil and “buffer” with plain water for best results
• Use saucers under pots to protect floors and furniture from water damage
• Elevate outdoor pots on pallets or feet to prevent waterlogging
• Move pots occasionally to prevent divots in lawns or uneven sun exposure
• Avoid decorative pots without drainage holes. Drill holes if needed.
• Match pot color to environment – black for hot climates, white/light for cool climates

With so many grow pot options available, it can be hard for cannabis cultivators to decide what works best. Factors like pot material, size, drainage, and your growing style will determine the ideal pot. Quality grow pots protect delicate cannabis roots while