Choosing the Right Shape Pot for Your Plant
Whether you have pot plants indoors or in the yard or garden, you have a great choice of pots to choose from. Plants add something special to a room or an outdoor space and, if you choose carefully, can be remarkably beautiful. Many people have pots with plants on a patio or decking, and if you have only a small outdoor space, they make a great choice.
Plants in pots do need maintenance, yet it is not difficult. Regular watering and ensuring they have food, light, and shade at the right levels is important if they are to flourish. In this article, we are not going into detail about the plants themselves, but the pots: what shape is best, is there a preferred size, and what else do you need to know about growing plants in pots, so let’s get started.
Does Shape Make a Difference?
The title of this article is about choosing the right shape of pot for your plants, but does it make a difference? The answer is yes, but not to the plant! The plant needs enough space for its roots to take hold but does not normally respond to a shape. Depth and size, yes, but the shape is something that is chosen for looks alone.
For example, you may prefer a square planter to a traditional circular-shaped pot. Or you could be looking at a long thin planter to put many plants in for a summer display. Then there are the taller pots that are suitable for plants that are flowing or that drape downwards. Begonias, for example, look great in tall pots as their flowers often flow downwards and cover the sides. So, when shopping for decorative pots, this is the key point to consider – what shape will best show off the plant?
For a great range of plant pots and planters in a wide variety of exciting, interesting, and different styles. Pots don’t have to be boring, but there are some specific requirements you need to adhere to. Let’s move on and talk about the ideal size of pot for your plants.
Choose the Right Size
As we mentioned above, size is important when it comes to plants in pots. If you’re planting small plug plants, start with a pot of between 3” to 4” in width and height. This will give it plenty of space to start flourishing, but it will also mean that you need to put it on. However, planting smaller plants in pots too big can be done, but we recommend you keep to the smaller-sized pots until the roots and the plant itself are strong enough to be moved.
Among the many handy gardening tips regards pot plants is this: if you have a plant that is doing well and is currently in, for example, a 10” pot – that’s usually 10” x 10” – the next step up should be two to three inches bigger. This extra capacity will cope with the roots and the plant itself with ease, and depending on the plant, you may not need to report again.
It’s at the stage mentioned above that you should also consider moving your potted plant into a planter. This is a sensible idea if you want to create an impressive display of beautiful flowers that will adorn any outdoor or indoor space. We think planters look particularly good on windowsills of the older kind where they can brighten up the scene. You can buy plant pots of all sizes at your local gardening or hardware store, in either plastic or other materials, so shop around for the best deal. Now we need to talk about some general maintenance ideas, especially regarding drainage.
Read More: Best Gardening Tips for Raised Bed Garden
Drainage and Care
Drainage is an essential part of successfully growing plants in pots. Without adequate drainage, it is entirely possible to give a plant too much water. This will rot the roots if it does not have a method of draining away. We recommend that you line the base with rocks if you are planting in a large pot or planter.
This allows for excess water to have somewhere to go beyond the plant’s roots.
Holes in the bottom of planters are essential to allow for water not taken up by the plant to drain away. As for watering, never water more than 1/3rd of the capacity of the pot. Some plants prefer a lot of water while others survive on very little, so it is certainly worth reading up on the plants you wish to grow.
Further care tips include being aware of whether the plant in the pot prefers a shady spot or a sunlit position and whether it is suitable for growing outdoors as some plants are strictly indoors. Now let’s finish by talking through a few handy tips that should help you get to grips with growing plants in pots.
Further Tips on Potted Plants
Did you know that gardening is good for your health, both physically and mentally? Growing plants in pots indoors also has such an effect as there is a sense of satisfaction at seeing plants grow. People with mental health issues are often advised to get out in the garden, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.
So, some tips on pot plants – what do we advise? Check out the following:
- If you want to grow from seed, be aware it is time-consuming and difficult to get right unless you have a suitable greenhouse. We recommend buying plug plants – that is, those grown to a small height – and starting with these.
- Consider growing vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and others in pots if you have a conservatory or other warm place to do as it can be very rewarding.
- Trim away dead foliage when you see it, including flowers that have faded to encourage further growth.
That’s all for now, so why not check out the pots available and start your pot plant garden right away?
