Is a plastic pot better or an Clay one? + Disadvantages and advantages

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For what plants should you use plastic pots?

For some plants, it does not matter if the pot is plastic or clay, and they will grow in their home without any dissatisfaction. However, for some plants, the type and size of the pot is very important and they only grow and grow in a certain pot. Join us in this article to get acquainted with clay and plastic pots and their disadvantages and fertility and choose the most suitable pot for your plant.

Pottery vase is better than plastic ?!

Plastic and clay pots have different properties that affect the soil conditions of plants. In general, plants that prefer moist soil are suitable for plastic pots, and plants that prefer drier soil are more suitable for clay pots.

To better understand this, let us talk about these types of pots, their general characteristics, why they work better for some plants than others, and their general advantages and disadvantages.

1. Plastic pots

When you enter a garden or greenhouse, you will encounter a large volume of plastic pots. Plastic or fiberglass pots are the most common containers for gardening. Depending on the process of growing the plants, they can be prepared cheaply and come in different colors, sizes and shapes.

When buying plastic or fiberglass pots, look for containers that are high in strength and slightly flexible. These pots tolerate the passage of time and seasons better than thin and inflexible pots.

For what plants should you use plastic pots?

Plastic pots work best for wet soil-loving plants and do not dry out the soil quickly. Plastic is not a porous material, so air movement does not occur on either side of the container. After watering the plant, the potting soil stays moist for a longer time and more water remains in the root zone. Plastic pots also work well for gardeners who water sparingly or have difficulty remembering to water their plants.

Advantages of plastic pots

Due to the presence of non-porous walls that minimize the movement of air in and out of the root zone, it keeps the potting soil moist and is useful for plants that need more water.
Unlimited variety of colors and sizes with your decoration style. You can choose from a rainbow of colors and shapes of circle, square or even rectangle.
Plastics are strong and flexible, so due to their high durability, they do not need to be replaced much.
They are very lightweight. They are suitable for you if you move your plants regularly.
Reasonable price. Injection molding is a manufacturing process that can be done cheaply and keeps plastic containers much cheaper than other materials.
It is easy to add extra drainage holes in them. If you are buying a plastic pot with no drainage holes at the bottom, you can easily add a few holes if you have access to a drill.

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Disadvantages of plastic pots

Plastic can become brittle and break over time, especially if the pots are exposed to cold temperatures. They can also become brittle if exposed to a significant amount of UV light.
The risk of over-watering plants in these pots is higher. As humidity increases, it becomes easier to create moist soil conditions that can damage your plants.
More prone to overturning. Lightweight containers can be useful if you move your pots often, but lightweight plastic containers mean that they are more prone to overturning even if they are filled with potting soil.
Due to the non-recyclable nature of plastic, when they are disposed of, they create plastic waste unless they are carefully recycled.

2. Clay pots

There are actually two different types of Clay pots:

Those that are unglazed are pure pottery
Glazed Clay pots

When is it best to use Clay pots?

Because pottery is more porous than plastic, air can easily move through the side walls of the container, which dries the potting soil faster. So if you have a plant that prefers slightly dry roots, you should use these pots.

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The benefits of clay pots

Pottery is a durable and natural material.
They have a traditional beauty that is combined with many decorations. With age, they acquire different types of patina and add to their attractiveness.
Their weight means that they are stronger and more stable, so they do not tip over as easily as plastic containers. If you have pets or children who are prone to plant overturning, this can be a great advantage.

Disadvantages of Clay pots

They break easily and much more easily than plastic. If you have Clay pots outdoors, the freezing / thawing cycle can cause them to crack and break.
Pottery is much heavier than plastic pots. This can sometimes have its benefits, but if you have large potted plants that you move around often, weight gain can be problematic.
They are slightly more expensive than plastic containers.