How to Choose The Perfect Pot or Container For Your Succulents

Whether or not you’re rising succulents for the primary time or beginning a complete indoor backyard, choosing the proper container to your succulents is an important choice you may make.

With the big selection of succulent sorts, shapes, and colours, container selection might be the very last thing in your thoughts. However the pot you select impacts not solely the look of your succulents but in addition how properly they develop. Selecting the fallacious container could make care far harder and even result in the early dying of your vegetation should you’re not cautious.

Right here, we are going to break down every thing you should take into account when selecting a pot to your succulents that will help you make the right selection for each you and your vegetation.

Supplies

The primary selection you’ll have to make entails container supplies. With so many choices to select from, it may be tough to resolve which is able to fit your succulents greatest.

Aesthetics should not the one concern – your chosen supplies will influence succulent development and will change how you take care of them. These are a number of the hottest choices for succulent vegetation, every with its personal execs and cons.

Terracotta

Earthen terra cotta is the best choice for plant containers attributable to its breathable and porous nature, best for succulents.

Terracotta is among the hottest decisions and a private favourite. Every time I attain for brand new containers for nearly any plant in my indoor or out of doors backyard, I look to terracotta first for the general aesthetic and its advantages for my vegetation.

Professionals

These clay containers are breathable and porous, enhancing airflow across the roots and drawing away extra moisture from the soil. As a substitute of just one drainage gap on the backside that water can depart from, the fabric helps stop waterlogging across the roots. That is particularly necessary for succulent vegetation which can be far more delicate to root rot.

Past these advantages, I consider they’re additionally one of many best-looking supplies. The clay matches the desert really feel of many succulent vegetation and makes inexperienced leaves immediately stand out. It additionally offers uniformity with out wanting boring or one-note.

Cons

These containers do include just a few downsides, significantly price. In addition they crack simply when knocked over, so that they aren’t appropriate for high-traffic areas or interiors with rowdy pets. However should you solely have just a few small succulents to pot up, terracotta is a superb possibility.

Ceramic

Close-up of many different types of succulents in small ceramic pots on a white table, indoors. A woman is holding one of the succulents in her hands. The pots come in different sizes and shapes, some are smooth rounded, some are straighter and taller, and some have different geometric patterns. Succulents have a variety of rosettes of different succulent leaves in pale green, purple, pink and bluish green.
Ceramic pots are a preferred selection amongst succulent growers for his or her design choices.

Ceramic is another choice that tends to be standard amongst succulent growers for its huge number of design choices to match the plant you’re rising completely.

Professionals

I like to order bigger ceramic pots for succulent options, the place a number of species are mixed in a single container as a focus reasonably than for particular person vegetation. This highlights the artistic or inventive side of the container, too, reasonably than simply the vegetation themselves.  Ceramic pots additionally drain rapidly and promote airflow for robust root well being.

Cons

If you happen to’re prepared to handle the fee, as ceramic tends to have the next price ticket than different choices, hold these pots away from ledges and high-traffic areas the place they could be broken. Like terra cotta, ceramic pots are liable to breaking and might even crack if temperatures dip too low.

Plastic

Close-up of three types of Echeveria succulent in plastic pots on a white table. Plastic pots, round shape, gray, white and crimson with an interesting structure. The Echeveria plant forms a rosette of elongated oval succulent leaves with pointed tips. The leaves are pale green and grayish-blue.
Pots product of plastic are cheap, versatile, and appropriate for a lot of vegetation, though they could require additional consideration to drainage.

Plastic doesn’t have the best popularity amongst gardeners. I’ve even sparked debate on-line by mentioning that I hold most of my houseplants in plastic pots as a result of prices of ornamental containers. With over 50 houseplants, new containers can take up a good portion of your funds.

Professionals

Plastic pots include many advantages that make them worthwhile once you’re rising many vegetation. Firstly, they’re low-cost and even free should you clear and reuse the containers vegetation are available in out of your native nursery. In addition they are available in nearly any colour or design you may consider and might even be repainted to match your backyard and prolong the container’s lifespan.

Cons

Plastic containers don’t drain in addition to supplies like terra cotta, which might grow to be an issue for succulents. However should you select a pot with just a few drainage holes, plant in the proper soil combine, and guarantee extra moisture can stream freely out of the container, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Concrete

Close-up of two Haworthia cooperi and Lace Aloe (Aloe Aristata) succulents in Geodesic Concrete Planters. Geodesic Concrete Planters are a visually striking and unique design with a geometric concrete structure. It consists of interconnected triangular or polygonal faces resembling volumetric honeycombs or a geodesic dome. Haworthia cooperi forms a rosette of small thick succulent dark green leaves with translucent tips with dark green patterns. Lace Aloe (Aloe Aristata) produces oblong, succulent leaves with pointed tips that are bright green with white dots.
Porous concrete pots are perfect for succulents attributable to their drainage properties, sturdiness, and customization choices.

Whereas it might appear uncommon, concrete pots are rising in popularity due to their sturdiness.

Professionals

Concrete is one other porous materials that aids drainage, making it best for succulents. It’s additionally extremely long-lasting, and you may even make your individual utilizing pot molds, constructing the right dimension and form for the succulents you select.

Cons

If you happen to purchase concrete pots out of your native nursery or on-line, they’ll price somewhat greater than another choices on this record. They’re additionally extremely heavy and troublesome to maneuver round, so I might solely select these in case your container will keep in the identical place or if the succulents are sufficiently small for weight to not be an element.

Wooden

Close-up of Echeveria pulidonis in a square decorative wooden pot, on a light wooden surface. Echeveria pulidonis is a charming succulent with thick and fleshy rosette-shaped leaves arranged in a tight spiral. The leaves have a stunning powdery blue-green coloration. The edges of the leaves are often reddish in color. The leaves themselves are broad, spoon-shaped, with a slightly pointed tip.
Picket containers, like driftwood, add aesthetic enchantment to succulents however could not final lengthy.

Anybody who spends an excessive amount of time on gardening Pinterest (I’m responsible of this!) will doubtless have seen viral photos of succulents planted in wood containers or, extra popularly, within the gaps of ornamental driftwood.

Professionals

This pure materials is full of aesthetic advantages and enhances succulents properly however could not final so long as another choices. There are methods to protect the wooden to increase its lifespan, however you’ll want to decide on sealers which can be secure for vegetation to make sure the chemical compounds don’t negatively have an effect on development.

Cons

Planting in driftwood is especially troublesome. Gaps usually don’t maintain sufficient soil to maintain succulents alive for prolonged intervals, and these assertion plantings are fairly troublesome to water. It really works as a short-term characteristic piece however performs poorly over time.

Glass

Close-up of Fasciated Haworthia in a glass round pot. The plant has flattened, ribbon-like leaves of dark green color, collected in a dense rosette. The leaves have pointed tips and white dotted patterns. The glass pot is filled with decorative pebbles of different shapes, sizes and colors.
Glass containers for succulents are standard however lack drainage holes, resulting in moisture issues.

The primary succulent I bought a few years in the past was planted in a dangling glass container. It had a shallow layer of pebbles, a small quantity of soil, and a surprising Echeveria within the heart. Those that have skilled rising succulents will most likely guess what occurred subsequent – it died.

Professionals

Glass containers are fairly standard in shops, particularly for succulents. They appear good, promote properly, and make nice last-minute items for plant lovers. Sadly, none of these components contribute to the plant’s well being.

Cons

With out drainage holes, you’ll battle to maintain your succulents alive in glass containers long-term. You possibly can add layers to cease additional moisture from reaching the soil or water very rigorously, however discovering the proper stability that stops root rot and stops micro organism from rising in stagnant water is troublesome.

It’s greatest to skip glass altogether or replant your succulents right into a extra appropriate container after they present indicators of battle.

Recycled Pots

Close-up of many succulent plants in a reusable, re-purposed teapot, mugs and cups for succulents, a quirky alternative to plastic pots, on a wooden shelf. Succulent plants such as Crassula perforata, Hatiora salicornioides, Jade plant.
Get monetary savings and get artistic by repurposing objects like teapots or sneakers from your private home or backyard.

If you’d like a singular container that saves your funds, you might all the time select objects from round your private home or backyard and switch them into pots.

Professionals

This low-cost and enjoyable possibility permits you to get artistic. I’ve seen many artistic gardeners flip outdated teapots or sneakers into succulent containers by drilling just a few holes within the backside.

Have a look round your private home (or that uncared for again nook of your storage) for any objects you’re not utilizing that could possibly be was containers. You can additionally stroll by way of your native thrift retailer for just a few objects or inspiration.

Cons

This does include just a few caveats. It’s essential to guarantee no matter materials you’re utilizing shall be secure to plant in and which you could drill drainage holes with out breaking the container. It should even be the proper dimension and depth to your rising vegetation. However should you can meet these necessities, making your individual containers is all the time an thrilling journey.

Measurement

Transplanting an overgrown home plant of the succulent Zamioculcas. Close-up of female hands holding Zamioculcas succulent potted plant over table. There is a large gray plastic pot on the table. There is also a black pot of potting soil and a wooden board on the table. The Zamioculcas plant has glossy dark green leaves that are thick, waxy and lanceolate. The leaves grow alternately along the stems, giving the plant a lush and full appearance.
Selecting the best container dimension is essential for succulent well being, as bigger containers can retain extra moisture.

When you’ve selected supplies, you have to select the proper dimension container. Getting this step proper is essential to preserving your succulents completely happy and wholesome.

Not Too Massive

You could suppose a bigger container will promote faster development. However there’s a cause succulents are offered in such tight planters. Further soil within the container can maintain onto extra moisture in areas the place the roots don’t fairly attain, resulting in fungal development and doubtlessly root rot.

The additional area additionally encourages the roots to develop additional than wanted, pushing the plant to give attention to root development reasonably than leaf and stem development. If development seems stunted after potting into a big container, the container itself would be the trigger.

Not Too Small

A pot that’s too small may also negatively influence development. Though succulents like to be confined to their containers and develop properly in tight areas, they may finally battle with out room to maneuver. Crowded containers additionally enhance your possibilities of issues with fungal ailments attributable to an absence of airflow.

The Good Measurement

I intention for round an inch of area between the succulent and the sting of the container. One other widespread rule is utilizing a pot round 10% bigger than the dimensions of the plant.

The identical applies once you’re planting a number of species in the identical container. Go away an inch or two of area between every plant to present them area to develop. The pot could look sparse initially, however the vegetation will rapidly develop to fill within the gaps.

Drainage

Close-up of many terracotta pots with drainage holes stacked upside down. Pots are small, rounded, smooth.
Correct drainage is essential for succulents’ well-being, as they’re delicate to root rot and like dry situations.

I as soon as had a brand new gardener ask me for assist relating to her new succulent backyard. She had planted a number of succulents in a wheelbarrow outdoor and couldn’t determine why they’d all died. My first query was – did the wheelbarrow have holes within the backside? I’m certain you may guess that the reply was no.

Drainage is important for all vegetation in containers, however particularly for succulent vegetation. They don’t like sitting in soggy and even moist soil and usually desire the dry, sandy situations of their native habitats. Every succulent is totally different, however all of them share the attribute of storing water of their leaves; they’re very delicate to root rot.

No matter container you select should have drainage holes within the backside if you’d like your succulents to be completely happy. There are methods to handle containers with out drainage holes, however as this comes with many dangers, it’s all the time higher to be secure and give attention to drainage from the start.

How To Drill Drainage Holes In Containers

Close-up of male hands drilling a drainage hole in a small square ceramic pot, outdoors, against a blue wall. The drill is large, red. The man is wearing orange gardening gloves and blue overalls.
For containers with out drainage holes, take into account creating your individual.

If the container you need to plant in doesn’t include drainage holes, you may often create your individual, relying in your chosen materials. Some pots are extra liable to cracking than others, so that you have to be cautious when drilling. Observe these steps to get it proper.

You possibly can drill your individual holes in your pots with out breaking them in case you are cautious.

Step 1: Select the proper drill bits

Common drill bits should not best for making holes in ornamental containers, particularly if you wish to keep away from cracking. The quickest option to drill a drainage gap with restricted injury is by utilizing a diamond-tipped gap noticed bit. Don’t be afraid of the ‘diamond’ within the title – the bits should not too expensive and are extremely helpful should you use them usually.

You can even strive a glass and tile bit for ceramic pots, however these usually take longer to make use of are require extra care than the diamond-tipped bit.

Step 2: Mark holes and add water

Subsequent, flip the container the other way up and mark the middle of the pot. One gap is appropriate for smaller containers, or you may drill three holes equal distances aside for bigger containers. Use a marker to determine the spot and make drilling extra correct.

If you’re able to drill, add a splash of water to the underside of the container to forestall overheating earlier than you begin.

Step 3: Begin gradual and at an angle

Diamond gap noticed bits can slide across the backside of the container with no level of reference to begin. To keep away from slipping, begin drilling slowly at a forty five° angle till a small notch has been made. This can present the grip the bit wants to remain in place, permitting you to drill additional down.

Step 4: Drill straight down

Lastly, transfer the drill over the container to drill straight down, creating a simple drainage gap within the base. Clear off any particles with water earlier than planting.

Design

Close-up of succulent plants Peperomia prostrata, Lace aloe and Zamioculcas zamiifolia in decorative pots, on a white shelf indoors. One of the pots is white with thin vertical ribs all over. The other two pots are decorated with woven rope.
Select pots for succulents that complement their look and your backyard.

Though aesthetics aren’t the one concern when selecting pots, they nonetheless play a task. In spite of everything, we would like our succulents to shine of their pots and never be introduced down by the look of a container.

Fortunately, the choices in terms of design are nearly infinite. Throughout the totally different supplies, there are numerous colours, patterns, and shapes to select from, permitting you to match the pot to your chosen plant and your backyard as a complete.

Muted tones all the time work properly with succulents, particularly these with a green-gray sheen. I like to make use of white pots for a clear and trendy look, however pure colours like beige and brown are on pattern and all the time work properly in gardens. If you happen to desire a pop of colour, go for brilliant tones that distinction with the inexperienced with out overwhelming the plant.

You can even play with totally different shapes so long as the dimensions fits your chosen succulents. It is a nice time to get artistic and craft your individual containers or look to native suppliers for one thing somewhat extra distinctive than a typical rounded container.

In the end, design is a private selection. Select what matches your private home and backyard and what stands out to you whereas preserving the well being of your succulents in thoughts.

Soil

Close-up of a woman's hands pouring potting mix for succulents from a large glass bowl into a small ceramic pot, in the kitchen. A woman spreads soil with a small garden shovel with a wooden handle. The soil is brown with many impurities of various granules and pebbles in white, orange and sandy colors. There is a small succulent seedling on the table. It consists of small, fleshy, oval-shaped leaves with pointed ends that form a beautiful, rounded rosette. The leaves are pinkish green. There are also several types of succulents on the table in decorative white ceramic pots and a small bucket with drainage stones.
Guarantee your succulents thrive by deciding on a specialised succulent and cacti potting combine.

Together with your good container curated, all there’s left to do is fill it. This step is simply as important as the selection of the container itself. Even with a perfect container, your succulents should still battle should you’ve chosen the fallacious soil.

The simplest option to hold succulents completely happy is to search for a specialised succulent and cacti potting combine. These mixes are formulated with the right ratios of elements good for succulent vegetation. They’re designed to carry onto sufficient moisture to fulfill the roots whereas draining rapidly to forestall root rot.

People who desire to make their very own soil mixes can experiment with recipes so long as the soil drains properly and has a gritty texture. I like to begin with equal components potting combine and sand, including extra drainage or natural matter as obligatory.

Fill the container with a little bit of soil combine and add water to check how rapidly it’ll drain. If the drainage holes are blocked or if water swimming pools on the high, add extra sand or perlite to enhance situations earlier than planting.

Ultimate Ideas

With so many steps to think about, choosing the proper container can appear complicated. However so long as you’ve thought-about the necessities like drainage and soil, a lot of your selection comes down to non-public style. Use the prospect to get artistic and design your best succulent backyard characteristic.

Leave a Reply

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings