Can Houseplants Live Longer in Plastic or Ceramic Pots?
The debate regarding plastic vs. ceramic pots is long-standing. Some gardeners love plastic pots, others will merely use ceramic or clay. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and houseplants dwell more when their unique needs are satisfied. Ceramic is a good all-around option, but the best pot for keeping houseplants healthy mainly is based upon the plant’s moisture demands and also how often you water.
Ceramic’s Benefits
Porous ceramic pots, also known as unglazed clay, allow water and air movement through the sides of the pot. Air movement stimulates root development, which results in healthier plants. But the clay also wicks moisture from the dirt, making ceramic pots a much better option if you have a tendency to overwater or for plants which prefer dry soils. This also means plants in ceramic pots need more water than plants in plastic pots. Glazed ceramic pots do not dry out as quickly, but restrict air exchange. Like glazed pots, plastic pots do not allow air exchange and hold moisture longer. Plastic pots work best for moisture-loving houseplants and for those that neglect to water frequently.
Plastic’s Benefits
Plastic pots are more durable and more flexible than clay pots. There’s also a broader selection of styles offered in plastic pots, along with decorative plastic bottles have a tendency to be less costly than ceramic pots. One of the chief disadvantages of clay pots is that they break a lot more easily than plastic. If you drop a clay pot, then it will likely shatter. Clay is also easy to chip if bumped or tipped over. Plastic pots are easier to clean and disinfect. Clay pots have a tendency to stain and also develop salt deposits around the exterior.
Weight and Thickness
The different weights and thicknesses of plastic and clay pots can be either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how you look at it. Clay pots are heavier than plastic, and less likely to tip over. But this also makes them more difficult to move them if they are big. Lightweight plastic pots are more inclined to tip over, but they’re much easier to move. To go along with their weight, clay pots have thicker walls than plastic. In case the houseplants are moved outside at any time during the calendar year, the thick clay grass acts as insulation for the origins to safeguard against temperature changes. Plastic pots deliver little or no insulation.
General Potting Tips
Whether you choose plastic or ceramic, be sure that the pot has drainage holes. Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, therefore if the pots are sitting on a tray to catch water, don’t forget to dump the tray after watering. Alternately, you can set a layer of pebbles in the tray to lift the grass above the water level. Picking the correct pot size can also be important. For many plants, the bud’s diameter should be just like one-third of this plant’s height in the soil to the peak of the leaf. Since the plant grows, trim it to maintain the size or transplant into larger containers as required. Fast-growing plants with deep root systems require heavier containers, while slow-growing plants with shallow roots succeed in shallow containers.