What Is the Best Material for Plant Pots, Containers, and Planters? | GP

Plant containers come in a wide variety of prices, sizes, colors, shapes and materials. Each specific container has advantages and disadvantages of its own.

Here is a breakdown of the different materials planters can be made from in order to make it easier for you to make the best choice for your needs.

Where you want to keep the potted plant, your climate, aesthetic value, and ease of maintenance and cost are all factors you need to consider before you make a decision.

Pressed paper containers are a great choice when dealing with vegetables. These containers breathe well, promoting healthy root growth and improving aeration, as well as insulating the roots from temperature changes that might otherwise harm or stress your plants.

These planters are biodegradable, which is great for the environment but means that you will need to replace them every single year.

Since the cost of these is low, usually around two dollars per pot, the pots are still an economically sound choice. Some pressed paper pots are now being lined with a wax coating, which gives them a slightly longer life span.

Coir containers are economically and ecologically sound choices. These planters are made from coconut husks and are studier than the pressed paper pots, but still keep the benefits for the paper pots.

Akro Mils Coir Nursery Pot, 12-Inch available from Amazon

Other types are made from grain husks and various binding agents rather than coconut husks. These pots are inexpensive and can be found in a wide variety of colors and shapes, up to around a foot in diameter.

Ceramic containers, or stoneware, are made from finely textured, light-colored clay and then glazed.

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