Terracotta vs. Ceramic Pots: Which is Better for Your Houseplants? - Visit the plant experts at Platt Hill Nursery

Terracotta and ceramic are two of the almost common planter materials around. While they have a lot in common, they do have specific differences that make certain plants better suited to one or the other. Let's accept a wait at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of both of these popular pots, along with some gorgeous houseplants that work well in each.

Team Terracotta

Terracotta is easily the most recognizable textile in the earth of plant pots. You've probably seen hundreds of these rust-colored clay pots over the years. Nonetheless, despite how common they are, terracotta pots aren't necessarily the ideal living situation for all plants. The reasons someone might not cull a terracotta planter are the same reasons someone else might need i; they're made from a porous textile, which means they allow more wet and more air pass through, and they come with at least one large drainage hole in the bottom. Plants who are on "team terra cotta" are those that rely on these features to control wet in the soil. Most houseplants are amend off besides dry out than also moisture, and these pots are fabricated to prevent roots for sitting in standing water. For plants that come up from barren climates, splendid drainage is non-negotiable. Hither are a few members of "team terracotta":

• Succulents

• Cacti

• Mediterranean Herbs

• Moth Orchids

• Peperomias

• Pilea

• Hoya

• Snake Found

All of these plants adopt periods of dryness before their next potable of h2o. This mimics the natural rhythm of rain and sunshine they'd discover in their native environments.

Ceramic Fanatics

At a glance, you may think a ceramic pot is only a terra cotta pot with a good paint task. However, ceramic pots are typically glazed with a coat of lacquer that prevents the soil from drying out at the same speed as it would in an unglazed clay or terracotta planter. Some ceramic pots are sold without any drainage holes at all, which ways the roots volition sit in very moisture atmospheric condition. If you choose to use these pots, you lot'll be best off choosing a plant that can handle sitting in stagnant water—and your options will be limited. If you have care not to overwater and monitor the soil diligently, it'due south certainly possible to keep houseplants in these environments. Yet, you'll save yourself a lot of problem by opting for a pot with drainage holes. Even with drainage holes, the glazes on ceramics volition still cause these pots to retain more moisture than unpainted terracotta. The all-time houseplants for ceramic pots are ones that prefer evenly moist soil—mostly, ones that take adjusted from damper environments in nature. A couple of "ceramic fanatics" include:

• Aureate Pothos

• Spider Plants

• Infant's Tears

• Boston Fern

• Maidenhair Fern

Of course, one huge advantage ceramics accept over terracotta is their advent. Compared to all the beautiful colors, patterns, and styles yous can find in ceramic, terra cotta can seem a little dull in comparison. If you want to plant a "team terracotta" plant in a ceramic pot without drainage holes, a few easy modifications will make a large difference. Just add together a layer of coarse gravel, pebbles, or river rocks to the lesser of the ceramic pot cover and "nest" your houseplant'due south nursery container inside. This will permit h2o to bleed from the container and away from the constitute's roots.

Choosing a Pot

And then, you've found the perfect houseplant at one of our plant nurseries in Chicagoland . Earlier you bring it home, your establish needs its own little habitation to live in as well! As you scan through our pick of pots, requite the establish's tag a read and get to know a little bit about its preferred environment. If it'southward a desert constitute or a establish that likes to dry out out between waterings, information technology might be on "team terracotta". If it's a plant that came from a damp, boggy, or humid surround that likes damp soil, you lot might have a "ceramic fanatic" on your easily. If y'all're having trouble finding the perfect pot for your found (or the perfect constitute for your pot!), you tin can always inquire someone on our squad for aid. We're happy to aid you put together a winning combination!

Platt Colina Nursery is Chicago's premier garden center and nursery.

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Source: https://platthillnursery.com/terracotta-vs-ceramic-pots-which-is-better-for-your-houseplants/

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