Many gardeners have their own preferences regarding the choice of clay or plastic pots for their plants. If you do not have a firm opinion either way this article will detail some advantages and disadvantages of both types.
Clay Containers
Terra-cotta (unglazed clay) pots are made of a particular soil and fired in kilns during the manufacturing process. The rusty brown color of clay is harmonious with every flower and foliage color.
Clay pots provide a healthy environment for most plants. The porosity of clay allows air and moisture to penetrate the sides of the pot. This moisture and air is utilized by the fine roots located at the edge of the soil ball. Clay pots also act like a wick to remove excess moisture from the potting soil. This can be looked at as both an advantage and a disadvantage depending upon your watering habits.
Gardeners with a heavy hand at watering tend to over-water; their plants will probably benefit from clay. Other gardeners who wait for the wilting signal from their plants are better off with plastic. Plants which demand a well-drained, dry soil like cacti also prefer clay pots.
Outdoor usage of clay also has advantages. Clay pots have thick walls that protect plant roots from rapid changes in temperature which can be destructive. They also have a fair amount of weight and do not blow over as easily as some plastic pots. Clay does have the disadvantage of drying quickly. This can be a problem for moisture loving plants such as ferns or when attempting to germinate seeds.
Clay also has the tendency to form a white crusty layer on the outside of the pot. This is formed when mineral salts dissolved in the water are wicked from the potting medium into and through the pot wall. Some find this layer attractive, most gardeners find it unsightly. The salt deposits can be scrubbed off if their appearance offends. A final disadvantage, clay is easily broken.
Plastic Containers
Plastic pots are lightweight, strong and flexible. They are available in every color of the rainbow to coordinate with interior and exterior decor. Plastic does not have the wicking action that clay has making them an excellent choice for moisture-loving plants or for those gardeners who water infrequently.
Plastic pots are made of inert materials and are considered safe for growing plants. Many are made of recyclable plastic so disposal is environmentally friendly when the pot is no longer usable (unglazed clay pots are fully recyclable as well). Plastic pots generally have thinner walls than their clay counterparts offering roots little if any insulation from temperature change. Black plastic can actually act as a solar collector, heating up the potting medium to plant damaging levels.
If plants in dark colored plastic containers wilt quickly, check to make sure the plants are well watered then move them to a shadier location where heat build-up should not be a problem. Sunlight can be hard on plastic causing fading and brittleness. Many plastic pots intended for outdoor use are treated with ultraviolet light inhibitors to reduce fading and maintain flexibility thus increasing the life-span of the pot.
Whether it be plastic or clay, make sure the pot you select has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent over-watering.
Plastic planters are generally the go to for garden and plant enthusiasts. They are the cheapest and most accessible option. However, they come with a long list of problems for both your plants as well as the environment.
Cheap plastic planters, because of their short shelf life, generally end up being discarded after only being used for a short period of time, and in turn start to accumulate in large quantities inside landfills and other dumps. The large majority of the planters that are dumped are made from non-recyclable or non-biodegradable plastic. These types of plastics are toxic in most cases and can take many years to break down, leading to an increase in pollution as well as damaging soils.
Whether a plastic planter is made from a hard, a thick or a thin plastic – it is still just not breathable enough. Infact, they tend to attract heat from the sun and because of their non-breathable material. The heat is then trapped inside the planter and ends up damaging the root system of your plants. In most cases, plants that are planted inside these types of plastic pots tend to become root bound. This is when the roots of a plant form a dense mass or ball and begin to suffocate the plant.
The best alternative to use in place of plastic planters is eco-friendly fabric plant bags. These types of planters are made from a breathable, organic and plastic-free fabric that is not only better for the environment but carries a long list of benefits for the health of your plants as well, such as:
Unlike plastic planters, fabric plant bags are made from a breathable material. This breathable material allows for proper air circulation which in turn allows for temperature regulation as well as air pruning. Air pruning occurs naturally when the roots of a plant reach the edge of the bag, they then detect air which causes them to dry out and stop growing. This phenomenon ultimately prevents the roots from becoming root bound.
The breathable material of these types of fabric planters also allows for the drainage of excess water, which protects a plants root system from rot in cases where the plant is overwatered.
Fabric plant bags lead to stronger, healthier plants from within and boost your yield by 10 to 22 percent more than traditional plastic planters.
Planters that are made from an eco-friendly material or fabric have a much longer shelf life than cheap plastic planters. They are far more durable and are also washable and reusable. They can be washed and reused over and over for up to 7 years. Meaning they will not end up in landfills and pollute the environment. Even after they have served their purpose their biodegradable material will break down a lot faster than toxic plastic planters.
EcoWhizz stocks the most affordable eco-friendly plant bags currently on the South African market. Our sizes range from 1 gallon to 15 gallons and are available in sleek black or grey colour variations.
Shop these growbags online today from only R18.95 and have them delivered straight to your door.