Gone to Pots: Choosing Containers for Planting

Pots are largely a matter of personal preference although there are some practical things to consider when choosing containers such as size, weight and durability as well as style and color.

One thing all planting containers must have is good drainage. This cannot be emphasized enough. Good drainage typically means there is a least one good sized hole in the bottom of the pot so excess water can drain away from the roots. Without this the plants can drown. Yes, plants can drown. The roots of plants need oxygen and if they are waterlogged they will drown. The exception, of course, is water or marsh plants but that is another matter entirely. For container gardening, the plants need good drainage.

Most pots will have drainage holes in them and are ready to go as soon as you purchase them. However, sometimes they will not. This seems to happen to me when the container is really cool and I have to have it. Sure enough, no drainage holes. Fortunately, this is simple to remedy. Use a power drill and one of the larger bits in a basic drill set (1/4” to maybe 1/2”). Drill 2 to 3 holes in the bottom depending on the size of the pot and the size of the drill bit you are using. Very small pots (6” and under) will only need one. I have drilled metal, plastic and some kind of lightweight composite stuff, all with ease and great success. I have not drilled any kind of pottery, however, and suspect that may lead to a broken pot. I don’t know that I would risk that.

After determining that a pot has adequate drainage, the next things to consider are what you’re going to put in the pot and where you’re going to put it. Again, this can be completely subjective so I’ll go through some of the different materials pots are made of and the pros and cons of each.

Terra Cotta
Terra Cotta is the traditional orange clay pot that is practically synonymous with container gardening. I admit there is a certain charm to this type of pot but I choose not to work with them for a couple of reasons. Aside from the fact that they are breakable and I am clumsy, these pots MUST be soaked in a tub of water prior to planting or you will be a watering fool all summer long just trying to keep up with the watering. Terra Cotta is porous and will steal water from your plants if not initially waterlogged. Also, with the high salt content in the water we have here the pot gets what I consider to be an unsightly look. The pot will have a white crust on the outside as the salt in the water leaches out. Again, this is just my opinion. Some people like this rustic look—so this can be a pro or a con depending on the look you are going for. These containers tend to be on the heavy side so are better suited for windy areas and for containers you don’t intend on moving very often.

Plastic
Plastic pots are inexpensive for the most part and fairly durable. They will get brittle and tend to crack after a few seasons but for the most part can handle some rough handling and a few drops in their prime. One drawback is they will fade in the sun so any color other that white, light gray or tan isn’t going to look so hot after a few years either. However, they come in a vast variety of sizes and colors and are lightweight. Even if you are dealing with a large pot, it can still be portable if necessary (depending on your soil, of course, more on that later). Plastic containers now also come in many attractive finishes that look like stone or terra cotta without the expense or weight. Also, they pots hold water better than terra cotta thusly making watering slightly easier. I prefer plastic for all these reasons and generally choose either plain terra cotta colored ones or grey toned pots. Simple pots let the flowers shine and don’t detract from their beauty.

Metal
The metal pots I’ve gotten never seem to have drainage so I end up having to drill my own holes. Like plastic, metals come in a variety of finishes including some that mimic stone or slate without the weight of those materials. These containers tend to more expensive than either terra cotta or plastic but also tend to be more durable. I have several powder coated metal pots that I leave outside year round. Even with the harsh Minnesota elements, they hold up well. My metal containers are larger ones so not easily moved. It’s nice to be able to leave them outside and not have to worry they will get destroyed. If you’re looking for something highly durable but lightweight, metal is the way to go.

Other Materials
This year I’ve seen many pots made from bamboo—again the ones I saw had no drainage so you’d have to drill your own holes. Bamboo is very durable and lightweight, not to mention a sustainable resource. I haven’t had a chance to use these containers myself but I think they would make a good choice.

There are also peat pots, foam product pots and peat lined baskets. None of these is very durable and with the exception of the foam product containers, don’t hold water well. These can be a good choice for temporary plantings or shady areas. None of these will stand up to wind well either.

Painted clay pots have pretty much the same advantages as terra cotta without the disadvantage of the watering issue. The paint seals the container so water won’t leach out. Disadvantages with these types of containers will be cost, weight and durability.

Other considerations when choosing a container are size, color and design. You want the pots to be in scale to the area you plan to put them. That is, not so large and overpowering that it crowds the space nor so small that it gets lost in the space. Several smaller pots grouped together can work well in lieu of one big pot. I do recommend varying the sizes and heights of pots in a grouping.

What you plan to put in the container will also influence the pot you choose. If you are doing a more complex design with more than two types of plants, I suggest using a plain pot of neutral color. This is not to say that more ornate or colorful pots don’t have a place in the garden. They certainly do and can add great dimension and interest. In this case, just make sure that the pot is the statement and the flowers complement the container. In this instance one or two different plants at most is the way to go.

Whatever container you choose is really the right container for you. Just make sure it has good drainage and fits well in the space you plan to use. It’s really as simple as that!