How to Choose The Best Pots for Your Succulents

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Planting succulents in pots is the most common method for growing succulents. However, there are numerous factors that must be taken into consideration when choosing the best pots for succulents.

Pots play a key role in the overall well-being of succulents. The pot needs to be able to hold soil and water, as well as provide support for the delicate succulent.

Choosing what pots to use for your succulents is sometimes confusing. It can have a big impact on both how it looks and how easy it is to care for your succulents. You don’t want to hurt your plant by placing it in an unsuitable pot, or without adequate drainage.

In this article, we’ll talk about some of the things you should consider when choosing the best pots for succulents and help you choose the best succulent pots for your particular needs.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Succulent Pots

Succulents are some of the most popular plants to grow right now, and for good reason. They’re low maintenance and come in many shapes and sizes.

While it’s true that succulents need less maintenance than most plants, you still have to make sure they’re happy and healthy. One of the best ways to achieve this is by choosing the right container for your succulents.

Choosing the right pot for your succulents is just as important as choosing the right plants. Using a wrong pot can make a world of difference in the health and growth of your succulents.

There are several factors that you should consider before buying containers for your succulents. The following are some of the main considerations.

Size:

The size of the pot is important because it provides space for roots as your succulent grows, so it needs room to breathe.

Succulent roots mostly grow outward rather than downward. This means your pot should be able to fit a significant amount of soil while still having room at the top for the roots to spread out.

A good rule is that the depth of your pot should be about one third as deep as it is wide.

Make sure the dimensions aren’t too large or small, but just right! If the pot is too large, the fragile roots will spread before the plant has time to grow. A smaller pot on the other hand will leave no place for the roots to spread.

Usually you should leave about a half-inch of space between your succulents and the edge of the pot.

Style And Arrangements:

Succulents often look great when arranged with other succulents. But you can also create a unique look by combining them with colorful flowers or other plants.

Seasonal looks are also popular. For example, fill your pot with succulents that are similar in color and shape to the design on the pot. This helps the arrangement look unified and visually appealing.

The ideal pot will match your decor and taste, but it should also match the plant’s physical characteristics. A tall plant like aloe, look nice in tall pots. Low-growing varieties, such as Echeveria, on the other hand look best in shorter pots.

The best pot for a string of pearls would be hanging planters like these.

Drainage:

Succulents, like all plants, need water. However, unlike other plants, excess water can cause root rot in succulents if not properly drained from their pots.

When choosing a pot or planter for your succulent, be sure it has a drainage hole at the bottom so that the water will have somewhere to go when you give your plant a drink.

Use a mesh tape to cover the holes and keep the soil from falling out.

Succulents need excellent drainage and air circulation at the roots in order to thrive. This is why they are typically planted in porous, fast-draining soil mixes that contain ingredients like perlite and pumice.

If your container doesn’t have a hole, you can easily make one by drilling into the bottom of it with a small drill bit. A drill bit like this can help drill holes to any succulent pots.

Material:

The material of your container is important for two reasons: aesthetics and the health of your plants. You want a pot that looks good, but also one that will allow enough air circulation and water drainage.

The type of pot you choose will add to the overall feel of your space and contribute to the style you are trying to portray.

Here are some common materials used in containers and how they hold up over time:

Terra Cotta or Ceramic:

Terra cotta clay pots are one of the most common types of pots used for succulents and cacti. The porous material breathes, allowing excess moisture to evaporate from the soil.

This helps prevent root rot, which can be a problem with other types of pots, such as plastic and metal. Terra cotta also allows for temperature regulation, so it won’t quickly get too hot in direct sunlight like some other materials will.

Not all ceramic or terra cotta planters look dull, Here is one that looks like a metal planter.

The downside of using terra cotta and ceramic pots is they can be extremely heavy. You may find that it’s difficult to move the pot after the soil and succulents are in especially if the pot is a large one.

Also you have to be a bit careful about using these pots. Terra cotta and ceramic pots are generally quite fragile. So there is a possibility that you break one or two while working with succulents.

Plastic Succulent Pots:

Plastic pots may not typically be thought of as the best choice for succulents because they don’t drain well. However, there are some plastic containers designed specifically for growing succulents that have drainage holes in their bottoms to keep plants healthy.

Some larger plastic containers do not have drainage holes and can work well if a few inches of gravel is at the bottom to provide good drainage.

Plastic pots are a great option because they are lightweight and easy to move around. You can also find them in a variety of colors and shapes which makes matching them up with your décor simple!

Unlike a terra cotta and ceramic pot they’re very durable so there’s no need for concern about chipping or cracking when moving them from one location another throughout each season.

Wooden Planters:

Wood is not an ideal material for succulents because it does not drain well. If you choose to use a wooden container for your succulents, make sure that it has good drainage holes.

Wooden planters do not retain moisture as well as clay pots and are often painted on the inside with a sealant that can be toxic to plants.

Use only untreated wood that has not been stained or sealed on the inside.

wooden planters are great for succulents if that sit in direct sun or hot environments, because the pot will stay cool and retains water.

On the other hand with less sunlight and airflow you may find that wood can easily rot or keep your soil wet for too long.

The wooden pots can get split from being watered or break down over time.

Metal Succulent Pots:

Metal pots are often beautiful and decorative, and they might be fine for growing succulents or cacti.

Look for ones with metal that doesn’t rust easily so that it won’t stain your floors or furniture if it leaks! Metal containers also tend to heat up quickly in sunlight and retain that heat even after

Metal pots are popular choices for cacti and succulents because they get so hot in the summer and help plants dry out quickly between waterings.

However, if you live in an area with cold winters, metal containers can get very cold at night and potentially damage your plants’ roots.

Glass Containers For Succulents:

Glass containers make attractive display pieces for succulents and cacti and provide excellent drainage because they don’t trap heat or moisture inside.

Glass planters generally don’t have drainage holes. they can also gets dirty easily, and has a tendency to collect hard water deposits.

And of course, it’s also quite breakable, so you have to be careful using those planters. But if you want to have an elegant display of succulents you might want to consider a glass planter like this.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right pot for succulents can seem like a daunting task, with many options flooding the market. However, as long as you keep a few points in mind, you should be able to make the best choice for your new plants and give them a great start.

If you’re looking to grow succulents, I hope that this article has been helpful in giving you some advice.

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prasenjit saha author Gardening ABC

Hi there! My name is Prasenjit and I’m an avid gardener and someone who has grown a passion for growing plants. From my hands-on experience, I have learned what works and what doesn’t. Here I share everything I have learned.

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