PLANTERS FOR INDOOR PLANT – HOW TO SELECT A PLANTER FOR YOUR PLANT AND YOUR INTERIOR

Houseplants are a living accessory for interior spaces, introducing texture and color. Your houseplants can infuse your home with warmth, soften transitions between spaces, and serve as the focal point of a room. Pairing pots, plants and the right decor enhances health and makes plants a hardworking accent to your home.

Choosing the right pot for the right plant is very important! The planter you choose will affect how the quickly soil dries out, how well a plant grows, and how healthy the roots are. There are three major categories of pots: ceramic/glazed, terracotta/clay, and plastic. Water and light might be the most important parts of keeping healthy plants, but the right pot is the cherry on top!

If the beauty of your plant stands in its blooms or foliage color, whether it’s a bright and bold color or a pale and delicate color, you should consider playing with contrasts. For example; if you have a plant with a deep pink flower, you should consider buying a pot with muted tones so that the flowers are accentuated properly. 

Plastic pots are colorful, lightweight and low cost. They tend to retain moisture, so you will water less frequently. Choose plastic when weight counts, such as with hanging baskets or plants on a wall shelf.

Terra cotta pots are heavier; offer beautiful patterns and typically cost more. These pots are porous, so plants need water more frequently. Terra-cotta is the perfect choice for plants that like dry or well-aerated soil, including cacti, succulents, orchids and bromeliads.

Ceramic pots are sturdy, heavy, and can be glazed in a wide array of colors. Almost any plant will do well in a glazed ceramic pot. They look gorgeous and come in so many interesting shapes!

Most houseplants do not thrive in standing water, so your pot needs a drainage hole at the bottom that allows water out. If you want to use a pot without drainage holes for decorative purposes, use it as a cover pot, which holds the pot the plant is growing in.

Keep pots clean to prevent disease. If you plan to reuse a pot, clean it well both inside and out. Clay pots often get a white crust on them after prolonged use, caused by mineral buildup after water evaporates. To remove this crust, scrub it off with a steel-wool pad or stiff bristle brush in a vinegar and water solution. Clean plastic pots with a cloth dipped in warm soapy water.