It's Just a Pot, Right? Why your pot selection really matters

It's Just a Pot, Right? Why your planter really matters

The soil and planter combo we select for our plants to live in is the most impactful choice we can make to set ourselves and our plants up for long term success. The right pot and soil mix can make your plant easier to care for, more resilient to change, support their growth, help prevent malformed leaves/stems, can significantly reduce the chances of future issues (such as discoloration, tissue loss, pests or sudden loss of the plant), and even change a plant’s watering frequency to meet your care schedule. That being said, an incompatible setup has an equally impactful ability to create or lead to issues for your plant either imminently or later on.

Your plant’s soil and container needs can change and be impacted by external factors like time of year, plant growth, or health status. Learning to select mindfully for all of these factors at each stage of your plant’s life takes time and practice. If the selection is incompatible you could see drastic and fast acting repercussions of the setup manifest at any time; sometimes just days after repotting and others not until years later. If you are seeking a planter/soil combo for a plant you have an emotional connection to we highly suggest consulting with and following the recommendations of our trained plant clinicians.

This article is intended to provide a starting place to help guide you in selecting planters that will serve the needs of your plants’ short and long term health. We will discuss the importance of selecting the right planter during recovery, choosing the correct size for your plant’s roots, and examine the properties and impacts of different planter materials on moisture, oxygen, and thermal regulation in the soil. If you have questions about this process our knowledgeable team here at Urban Sprouts is here to assist you and offer selections from our curated stock.

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Effects of planter selection
on treatment recovery

Most plants have the ability to survive a singular source of stress at any given time (such as outgrowing their pot or getting a sunburn) and can sometimes even recover on their own so long as the issue has been identified and corrected before they run out of resources. However, they are not equipped to recover from more than one source of stress simultaneously and will quickly show symptoms of decline or perish without corrective intervention. For example root binding plus a pest infestation, minor root decay plus a temperature shift, or slight chronic dryness plus a change in light exposure.

When a plant undergoes treatment (especially when that treatment involves handling of their roots) it takes some time for them to stabilize and recover just like how we are more susceptible to illness and require recovery time following a medical procedure. During this recovery period your plant is going to be sensitive and susceptible to conditions it may not normally show issue with as it is already using their allotted energy and resources to recover.

The most common causes of compound stressors we see after treatments are thermal and moisture changes. While in recovery from repotting or other root treatments a planter that is holding in too much moisture or isn’t properly protecting the soil inside it from changes in temperature in the environment can be the stressor that tips your plant into a rapid and often inconsolable decline. This is why it is imperative that the planter and soil your plant is in after treatment is carefully selected to keep temperatures stable and moisture/oxygen levels that meet their needs and your care habits.

The planter and soil used during this time is critical as they can either greatly help or rapidly hinder your plants’ recovery. Most plants that are kept in stable conditions and are not exposed to any other stress factors will stabilize within just a few weeks and will once again tolerate low level stressors one at a time.

Pots are like shoes
How to find the right size pot for your plant

Think of your plant’s roots like the growing feet of a child. The proper size shoe for their feet at any given time is crucial for the health and development of the child’s feet and posture into adulthood.

We can support healthy even root growth and mitigate risks from a range of issues down the line by checking in regularly and sizing their pot according to the current size of the healthy root mass. Too large of a jump in pot size and the larger volume of soil will hold excess moisture and temperature which makes root decay significantly more likely. Some common issues related to an incompatible pot/soil combo include: root-overgrowth, root decay, dry rot and binding, malformed growth, discoloration, tissue loss, and greatly increases the chances of attracting pests.

As your plant grows it is best to provide 1-2 inches of fresh soil larger than whatever the current healthy root ball size is. We recommend a root assessment every 6 - 12 months. Adjust the size of your pot as needed to allow 1-2 inches of new soil space.

How to tell how big your plants root ball is

If your plant is growing normally most plants will go up

1-2" in pot size every 6 months to 2 years. If your plant has undergone root stress (decay, dry rot, thermal shock, or over-binding) it’s likely the planter size should go down in respect to whatever healthy root ball remains after damaged and non-viable tissue is removed and treated.

Properties of Planter Materials:

Just as the size of the planter influences the health of your roots the material it’s made of also has a major impact on the environment inside too. Our general recommendation is to utilize thin ceramic planters with a drainage hole. This style of planter is the best for controlling moisture and temperature control indoors. Each material and thickness will have different impacts on a plant’s health and care needs. This section we’ll explore the most common planter materials so you can make informed decisions about what materials may work best for your collection.

Slip Cast (Indoor) Ceramic

Slip cast ceramic vessels are generally the best choice for your indoor plants. They are a manageable weight, come in a wide range of decorative options, and the material naturally protects your plants’ roots by insulating the soil inside from both thermal and moisture extremes. The insulative property helps slowly transition temperatures inside the pots when conditions change on the outside world, which significantly reduces the risk of tissue damage and shock in the event of temperature swings in your home or from the climate outside. The ceramic material also helps regulate the soil’s access to moisture and oxygen. The natural material provides some airflow which helps soil dry out evenly and at a constant rate which can slightly extend the time needed between waterings without increasing the risk for rot thus making your plants less reliant on vigilant watering routines.

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Nursery & Plastic Pots

Nursery pots are readily available, inexpensive, and lightweight. However they are intended to be short term housing solutions for your plants, similar to the small cups a Beta fish may be kept in at your local pet store. While low cost and lightweight the plastic material when exposed to changes in temperature and moisture break down and seep into the soil and is likely to lead to root stress, over-growth and more likely to attract or activate soil dwelling pests. Plastic is very thermo-conductive so this also means that when temperatures around the pot shift the soil inside is prone to heat up or cool down quickly which can cause stress, shock, or decay in root tissue. We generally recommend repotting plants out of their nursery pot when you bring them home for the best chance at keeping your plants healthy long term.

Earthenware (outdoor) Ceramic

Earthenware pots are typically quite heavy, made from dense ceramic material between 1/2" and 1 1/2" thick, and covered in a glassy solid glaze. These extra sturdy planters are designed to insulate plant roots in climate changes for plants residing outdoors. They hold onto moisture for extended periods of time and when exposed to heat will hold onto the warmth long after the sun has set, and designed to withstand freezing so they don’t shatter when temperatures outdoors dip below freezing. While these qualities are helpful for your herb garden outside, earthenware pots are rarely an appropriate choice for plants living indoors. Their weight and thermal/moisture holding properties are common causes for root decay and other forms of root stress.

Terra Cotta / Cement

Unglazed natural materials like clay and cement can have some helpful properties for plant care indoors depending on your goals and care style. Un-glazed pots are designed to wick moisture away from the soil quickly, which makes them appropriate in some cases. They can be a viable option for plants that need to dry out extremely quickly or can be good options or caregivers that want to water often. We often limit un-glazed ceramic planters to desert dwelling plants like cacti that benefit from moisture leaving the soil as quickly as possible after watering. For plants that require more consistent watering terra cotta and cement will require very consistent and frequent watering to meet their moisture and oxygen needs.

Glass, Metal, and Wood

There are a variety of alternative planter options on the market as well. Glass planters can be useful for terrariums or cases when many small and compact plants are housed together. However glass is very thermo-conductive and can make your plants vulnerable to acute temperature changes. Metal planters are not recommended. They are extremely thermal conductive and prone to producing rust or other contaminants that can stress and damage roots. Wood planters have a tendency to hold moisture and can be viable options for moisture loving plants like fern, however they decompose quickly and need replaced regularly.