What Pots to Use for Indoor Plants
Introduction
Even though many people like gardening, a lot of people prefer not to do it outside. If you want to cultivate plants indoors, you must learn how to do things properly. Choosing the best containers for indoor plants requires consideration of several factors, and one of the most important ones is what pots to use for indoor plants.
Even while having a pot that matches your decor is essential, a well-designed pot will help you save a lot of hassle. More than just holding plants, plant pots have other uses. A planting container is more complicated than it appears on the outside.
For those plants that are more understanding, plastic and glazed ceramic are attractive building materials. You may also use plastic, metal, or glazed ceramic pots for plants that prefer moist soil because they assist in maintaining the moisture in the soil for a longer period. Plastic is lighter and less prone to break than terra-cotta, though style will play a big part in this decision. You should water it less frequently than you would terra-cotta because it is considerably less porous.
The drainage situation should then come into play. Drainage holes facilitate air flow around the roots, allowing surplus water to drain. The best plant containers for indoor use will have drainage holes and be made of the right materials to preserve the health and vitality of the ferns, succulents, and other plants. If the pot you choose has a width of 10 inches or less, choose one that is one or two inches larger than the one you now own.
Do Indoor Plant Pots Need a Hole in the Bottom?
You would often like a pot without holes to make it look nicer. However, most of the time, plants do not flourish in standing water. Proper drainage should be one of your main concerns when choosing pots. You must ensure that the pot you choose has at least one drainage hole in the bottom.
Water can easily escape from it when indoor air is needed. A common plastic or terra cotta jar can then be used to store the bloom. This ensures that any excess water can readily drain from the pot and that the soil won’t stay wet or squishy. Furthermore, drainage holes will allow oxygen to reach the roots.
You might occasionally choose a pot without holes to make it more aesthetically pleasing. When using a cachepot technique, you can use any type of container or material. These include cookie jars and items made of glass, metal, wicker, and wood.
You can use the inner pot ideal for the plant while having far more control over the outside cachepot’s design or appearance because cachepots are chosen for their aesthetic beauty. This process is also known as “double potting.” The cachepot needs to be large enough to accommodate both the saucer and the flower pot.
Additionally, using a cachepot stops drips and spills that may harm flooring or window sills. However, there is one disadvantage to using cachepots to house your indoor plants. If you water your plants within the cachepot, the water will run through and collect at the bottom. If the cachepot is not immediately emptying, the roots of your plant may continue to be submerged in water.
Are Plastic or Clay Pots Better for Plants?
Since we learn drainage is the most important factor in planting, we can now answer our question: what pots to use for indoor plants? Some plants are OK to live without giving their “home” any attention; they don’t care what kind of pot you put them in. But for some, it’s preferable to put them in a container that is better suited to their needs. When deciding between plastic and clay pots for your plants, consider the containers’ purpose.
Plastic
Plastic options are lightweight, affordable, and appealing, making them desirable plant partners that emphasize their beauty and blend well with interior decor. Plastic pots are the greatest option for plants that prefer their potting soil to stay moist rather than dry out quickly. Plastic is less permeable than clay, making it more difficult for water to drain from the soil in plastic containers.
This shows that soil in plastic containers retains moisture and needs fewer waterings overall. Plastic containers are a wonderful choice for indoor gardeners who like to water minimally or struggle to remember to water their plants. Plants made of plastic might also be disadvantageous. Plastic pots don’t offer as much insulation against temperature changes, which can cause damage or even death to plants in cold or hot weather.
Clay
Clay containers aid in controlling the soil’s moisture content. Some of the water from the soil can leak through the clay container and into the air if you overwater your plant. This aids in drying damp soil and lessens the likelihood that moist soil will kill your plants.
The clay pot will function as a buffer to stop the soil from heating or cooling too quickly if the temperature dips at night or soars during the day. Clay containers are an excellent option for outdoor plants that require protection from intense midday heat or nightly cold. They work well for indoor plants and non-transferable outdoor plants.
They do, however, have some shortcomings. Since excess moisture will wick through the clay pot and into the air, you will need to water plants in clay pots more regularly. The color of clay pots is typically rusty reddish-brown. This may put you off if you desire more color on your patio or in your home.
Why Is the Color of Plant Pots Important?
Another answer to the question of what pots to use for indoor plants is the color of the pot. Since it affects how much heat the pots hold, the color of plant pots is significant. Soil temperature directly affects plant color and container color. The soil warms up more in containers that are darker in color, particularly black. Temperature changes also affect how a plant grows. For heat-sensitive plants, choosing white or light-colored containers is crucial.
There are different kinds of pots, but not every one of them has different color options. Warm hues like red, orange, apricot, and tangerine work best in planters and gardens that are seen from a distance. Warm hues may provide the illusion of a smaller area. The cooler hues, which include blue, purple, fuchsia, magenta, and pink, are excellent for close-up vision.
How Do You Fill Indoor Pots?
After selecting the ideal indoor plant container, you still need to fill it with your preferred plant. Place the liner on top at the appropriate height for the plant after filling the base with packing material that won’t compress, like polystyrene foam. Fill the bottom one-fourth to one-third of the container with the filler after thoroughly washing the goods.
The container must have a hole in the bottom, which is essential. It makes it possible for the water in the soil to drain quickly, giving the roots ample access to air. If your planter doesn’t have a hole in the bottom and isn’t constructed of a porous material, it is advised to keep your plant in the plastic growth container and place it whole in the indoor plant pot.
To maintain some space for water, you can also instead cover the bottom 5 to 10 cm of the flowerpot with rocks, shells, or even broken clay pots. If rocks are put at the bottom of large pots, less potting soil will be required to fill the container.
They will therefore help reduce the cost of soil even though they won’t increase drainage. Add extra earth to the planter’s bottom once the first third of the container has filled it. After that, you add the plant’s root ball and cover it with soil. You might also add a thin layer of soil over the plant.
How Do You Repot a Plant?
Every plant kept in a pot eventually needs to be moved, usually done for one or two reasons. To refill the plant’s nutrients for healthy growth, you’ll need to replace the old dirt with new soil occasionally. Another, and maybe more important, the reason is repotting a plant that has outgrown its container.
If you know how to set up a new pot, remove the plant from its old pot, and prepare it for its new container, repotting a plant can be much easier. Let’s look at everything you need to know before repotting your plant. If you’re repotting your plant, choose a pot that is 1 to 2 inches deeper and 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the plant’s current container.
Before using them again, old pots should be carefully cleaned because they may have accumulated minerals or other impurities detrimental to plant growth. To disinfect your pot, submerge it in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and let it soak for at least ten minutes. After dipping it in a water and dish soap solution, rinse it. A straightforward scrub pad will do for plastic containers. Be sure to soak the terra-cotta pot in water for a few hours before you begin repotting your plants if you decide to do so.
Drainage holes are required in a pot, but you must be sure that soil cannot escape through them. Put anything, such as a coffee filter or a piece of paper towel, into the drainage holes that will allow water to pass through. Remove the plant from its present pot or planter. If you hold your plant firmly by the stems or leaves, turn it sideways, then tap the container’s bottom, your plant will slide out of it.
Before setting your plant on top of the added dirt layer in the planter, be sure it is centered. To secure the plant, add more potting soil all around it. After repotting, keeping the plant out of locations with too much humidity and direct sunshine is advised. And wait a while before fertilizing it.
Conclusion
An indoor pot plant could be used in almost any commercial location, including workplaces and hotel lobbies. It may be difficult to select the ideal container and plant, so it’s important to consider everything from color schemes and plant species to size and price considerations.
You can use any pot in whatever form or style you desire for your indoor plants. As long as you are aware of your indoor plant’s fundamental requirements as well as its preferences and dislikes, selecting the right pot for it will be easy.
By employing a range of varieties, styles, and colors, beginning out simple and working your way up to more design and style, you can try using indoor plants to beautify your home. This will not only make your indoor space beautiful, but it will also make you feel natural, serene, and comfortable. We hope this essay has given you all the knowledge you need about what pots to use for indoor plants!
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