Pots come in a variety of sizes and materials. This page compares some of the different types of pots available on the market and what they are most suitable to be used for.
Weight
The bigger the pot the heavier the pot will be when full of potting mix, which means that larger pots are harder to move around than small pots. Vegetables do not need a lot of space so they can be grown in relatively small pots. Whereas fruit trees need a minimum pot size of 40 to 50 cm, even larger for more vigorous fruit trees.
Watering requirements
Smaller pots will dry out more quickly than larger ones, which means they will have to be watered more frequently.
The smaller the pot the quicker it will dry out.
shape
Potted trees and shrubs need to be repotted every few years if they are to maintain their vigour. Cone shaped pots (widest at the top) are much easier to repot (especially if the plant in the pot is rootbound) than vase shaped pots (widest at the mid-point) as the roots will be difficult to squeeze through the smaller opening of a vase shaped pot.
LEFT: Removing a rootbound tree from a vase shaped pot. RIGHT: Removing one from a cone shaped pot. Rootbound trees are much harder to remove from vase shaped pots (widest at the mid-point) as some of the roots will have to be cut away to get the root base through the smaller opening.
Cost and durability
Prices of pots rage dramatically from the cheap small black plastic pots to the very expensive large earthenware and fiberglass pots. But when considering the cost you also have to take into account the durability of the pot. Plastic pots (particularly coloured ones) will eventually become brittle and break as UV sunlight degrades the plastic. Whereas earthenware pots will last a lifetime, as long as they are not accidently broken.
ADVANTAGES
GOOD UV STABILISATION
All plastic pots begin to break down when exposed to sun but black plastic pots take much longer the break down than coloured ones. That is because colour pigments are more susceptible to UV radiation than black pigment.WEIGH LESS THAN EARTHENWARE POTS
This makes them easier to move around when full as they don’t have the extra weight of earthenware pots.BLACK POTS ABSORB MORE HEAT
The warmer a pot’s soil is the more vigorous the plant growth. Warmer soil is especially important for growing plants in spring and heat loving plants (such as eggplant and capsicum) in summer.- ARE CHEAPER THAN OTHER TYPES OF POTS
They are by far the cheapest pots on the market, making them a good choice for the budget conscious.
DISADVANTAGES
- THE PLASTIC EVENTUALLY BREAKS DOWN
Although black plastic pots usually last longer than coloured ones they do not last nearly as long as earthenware pots. - LOSE MORE HEAT AT NIGHT THAN EARTHENWARE POTS
Because plastic pots are thin skinned they lose heat more rapidly at night than earthenware pots. Plants can be damaged in pots if the soil they are growing in freezes. - AESTHETICALLY NOT THAT PLEASING
Black pots are not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as coloured plastic or earthenware pots
Different sized pots suitable for growing herbs and vegetables in. LEFT TO RIGHT: 13 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, and 28 cm pots. FOREGROUND: Accompanying black saucers. These size pots are suitable for growing herbs and smaller vegetables such as rocket and lettuces.
ADVANTAGES
CHEAPER THAN EARTHENWARE POTS
Although some upmarket coloured plastic pots can be pretty expensive generally they are much cheaper than earthenware pots.WEIGH LESS THAN EARTHENWARE POTS
This makes them easier to move around when full as they don’t have the extra weight of earthenware pots.AESTHETICALLY MORE PLEASING THAN BLACK PLASTIC POTS
Though generally not as pleasing to the eye as earthenware pots.
DISADVANTAGES
- COLOURED PLASTIC POTS BREAK DOWN MORE QUICKLY THAN BLACK PLASTIC POTS
Coloured pigments in a plastic pot make the plastic more susceptible to UV radiation causing the plastic to break down more quickly than black plastic pots. - LOSE MORE HEAT AT NIGHT THAN EARTHENWARE POTS
Because plastic pots are thin skinned they lose heat more rapidly at night than earthenware pots. Plants can be damaged in pots if the soil they are growing in freezes. - AESTHETICALLY NOT AS PLEASING AS EARTHENWARE POTS
Although some coloured plastic pots can be quite stylish they are generally not as aesthetically pleasing as earthenware pots.
Coloured plastic pots are lighter than earthenware pots, making them more portable, but they break down more quickly than black plastic pots.
ADVANTAGES
NEED LESS FREQUENT WATERING THAN STANDARD POTS
Due to the water reservoir being larger than the water holding capacity of a standard saucer.- KEEPS THE MOISTURE LEVEL OF THE SOIL HIGHER AND MORE CONSISTENT
Which is ideal for plants that like wet soil. - WEIGH LESS THAN EARTHENWARE POTS
This makes them easier to move around when full as they don’t have the extra weight of earthenware pots. AESTHETICALLY MORE PLEASING THAN BLACK PLASTIC POTS
Though generally not as pleasing to the eye as earthenware pots.
DISADVANTAGES
- KEEPS THE MOISTURE LEVEL OF THE SOIL HIGHER AND MORE CONSISTENT
This can be a disadvantage for plants that prefer dryer well drained soil.
COLOURED PLASTIC POTS BREAK DOWN MORE QUICKLY THAN BLACK PLASTIC POTS
Coloured pigments in a plastic pot make the plastic more susceptible to UV radiation causing the plastic to deteriorate more quickly than black plastic pots. - AESTHETICALLY NOT AS PLEASING AS EARTHENWARE POTS
Although some coloured plastic pots can be quite stylish they are generally not as aesthetically pleasing as earthenware pots.
Self-watering pots have a reservoir of water at the base of the pot that the plant/s in the pot can draw upon. LEFT: A self-watering pot with young picking lettuces in it. RIGHT: Interior of a self-watering pot showing the divider that keeps the soil in the pot separate from the water reservoir.
ADVANTAGES
AESTHETICALLY VERY PLEASING
There is a solidness to earthenware pots that make plastic pots look fake and tinny.- LAST LONGER THAN PLASTIC POTS
As long as you don’t accidentally break them they will last a lifetime. - RETAIN HEAT AT NIGHT MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN PLASTIC POTS
The extra thermal mass of an earthenware pot keeps the soil warmer at night, reducing the risk of frost damage on very cold nights.
DISADVANTAGES
- EXPENSIVE
They are more expensive than most other types of pots. Although small terracotta pots can be relatively inexpensive. - HEAVIER
Their mass makes the much heavier than any other type of pots of comparable size. - MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE
Although sturdy they can break if mishandled.
LEFT: Earthenware pot. RIGHT FOREGROUND: Earthenware pot. RIGHT BACKGROUND: Terracotta pot (type of earthenware pot using a specific clay mixture) with Aloe vera growing in it.
There are many more types of pots available, including cascading pots, wall pots, wooden and metal pots, and pots made of composite materials that look like earthenware but weigh less. However, as I have not used such pots and this website is based on my personal experiences, I have not included them in this article.
