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The right pot can make all the difference.
Key Takeaways
- Plastic pots can stress plants in hot weather by trapping heat, restricting root airflow, and breaking down over time, so experts recommend soaked terracotta instead.
- Containers without drainage holes can cause root rot by trapping excess water and encouraging mold, algae, and pests.
- Larger pots help plants handle summer heat by holding moisture longer, giving roots more room, and reducing repotting.
Summer is in full swing, and your garden might be thriving. But if it’s not and you’re struggling to figure out why, it could be your containers. You might not think much about the pots you use in your garden—or even indoors—but it turns out they can prevent your plants from reaching their full potential, especially during the summer or in warm climates.
These are the worst pots for hot weather, according to expert gardeners, along with what they suggest using instead.
Meet Our Expert
- Bliss Bendall, NYBG-certified horticulturist
- April Gast, plant expert and account manager at Bell Nursery
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Plastic Pots
Plastic pots can be appealing for several reasons. They’re available everywhere from nurseries to big box stores and even your local supermarket. In terms of price, plastic is generally the cheapest option. Plastic is also durable and much lighter to transport, especially if you don’t have anyone to help you haul them from the car. But this is where the benefits of a plastic planter end.
According to horticulturist Bliss Bendall, while you might save some money in the short term, plastic pots can create several long-term problems for your plants. Because the material isn’t porous, it doesn’t allow air to reach plant roots, which is essential for their growth. Plastic pots can also raise concerns for edible gardens. Bendall notes that, in some cases, chemicals from certain plastics may leach into soil or plants when exposed to prolonged heat. Lastly, the material degrades over time, especially when it’s hot out. So, while you might save a few bucks up front, eventually, you will need to replace the pots.
Bendall recommends going with terracotta planters instead. “Terracotta planters are a classic vessel for gardeners,” she says. “They’re made from an organic substance that works great aesthetically and naturally with plants.”
However, she has one caveat, especially for gardening in the warmer months. “Since terracotta planters are made from clay, they’re very porous and extremely thirsty themselves,” she explains. “To ensure they don’t zap up all your water before your plant does, make sure you soak your terracotta pot in water for at least 24 hours before putting in the new plant.”
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Pots Without Drainage Holes
Next time you’re at the nursery, be sure to turn over that pot before you place it in your cart. If there’s no drainage hole, April Gast, a plant expert and account manager at Bell Nursery, suggests putting it back on the shelf. A pot needs to drain, and without a drainage hole, you risk root rot, so be sure to choose pots that have drainage holes instead.
“When water gets trapped inside, it’s humid, swampy water and sometimes attracts debris, mites, and algae,” Bendall adds. “You don’t want a little swamp ecosystem in any kind of container pot in your home or garden.”
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Too-Small Pots
That tiny little planter might look cute, but when it comes to pots, bigger is almost always better. “The larger the container, the more surface area to soak up and hold moisture from regular waterings,” Gast says. “A larger container will also allow the roots of your plants to spread freely and not become root bound.”
As a general rule, choose a pot that’s at least 1 to 2 inches wider than your plant’s current container for small plants, or 2 to 4 inches wider for larger ones. That gives roots room to grow without surrounding them with more soil than they can comfortably use.
Read the original article on Real Simple
