Buying pots is one of the most fun and most important parts of being a plant mom. Like buying a newborn the perfect crib, selecting the right pot will help keep your plant safe and promote happy, healthy growth. When you’re selecting a pot there are three key things that you need to take into consideration; the plant's potential to grow, drainage and what the pot is made of. Learning about these three things will help you ensure that your plant is in the right home and will live its best life.

Plant Size/ Growth Potential 

          If a plant is put into a container that is too small it can quickly become root-bound. Inversely, plants in pots that are too big can cause the soil to dry slowly and make your plant susceptible to root rot. 

          If you’re buying a plant from the store that comes with a care card the measurement given is the diameter for the pot you should use for planting. If you are re-potting a plant size up about 2 inches in diameter from the original pot. If the original pot was over 10 inches in diameter size up about 4 inches. 

Drainage

          No matter what type of plant you are planning to grow, watering it is important. Pot drainage allows excess water that isn’t absorbed into the soil to run off. A lot of pots can be bought with drainage holes already in them. Pots that come with drainage holes are good for all plants and many plant people wouldn’t recommend you getting a pot without them.

If you’ve found a pot that you like and it doesn’t have drainage holes you can definitely still use it. To create man-made drainage and help prevent root rot line the bottom of your pot with lava rocks, gravel, or any similar rock to create crevices for the excess water to flow. 

Material

          Knowing what your pot is made of is also important. The material your pot is made of will be a key factor in the time it takes your soil to dry. You can find pots in a variety of materials including clay, glass, plastic, ceramic, and wood.

I'm a huge fan of terracotta pots because they’re super cute and they’re porous. This clay based pot expands and contracts to absorb excess water and aid in the soil drying process. Though plastic pots are often the most affordable and the most lightweight I don’t recommend them because they often retain moisture. They are also usually aren’t as cute as other types of pots.

Though there are definitely some things to think about before buying your next pot it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Familiarizing yourself with the tips I’ve shared can help make your selection process quick and easy without taking away any of the fun.

If you’re a plant mama and would like to share your pot selecting tips leave them in the comments below. If you have any questions about pots or plants comment them or feel free to send me an email.

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