When it comes to choosing a pot material that is ideal for your succulents, there are a ton of alternatives. We have gathered the benefits and drawbacks of the most popular pot materials to aid in your decision-making. Let’s get started on finding one that keeps your plants happy and healthy.
Cacti and succulents thrive in concrete planters because they are porous and allow water to escape fast. Additionally, it is crucial that they contain drainage holes. Concrete planters are sturdy and excellent at protecting plants from sharp temperature changes. Concrete has the ability to both absorb and emit heat, which helps shield roots from early or late frosts.
Cons: Concrete pots should be handled carefully because they can be fairly fragile and hefty.
Size
Choose a pot that is just big enough for the plant to grow in, but not too big. The circumference of the appropriate pot is 5–10% greater than the size of the plant. Choose pots with a maximum excess space around the sides of an inch or two. The delicate roots will spread if the pot is too big before the plant has a chance to develop. There won’t be any room for the roots to spread in a pot that is too tiny.
Style
The ideal pot should not only complement your style and decor but also the physical properties of the plant. Tall pots look excellent with upright-growing succulents, like aloe. Low-growing cultivars, like Echeveria, look fantastic in little pots. Not to mention spillers with trailing growth tendencies like String of Pearls. Spillers in shallow pots or hanging plants look fantastic and grow well.
Material
There are many different types of materials for pots. The most prevalent materials are wood, terracotta, metal, ceramic, and resin. Terracotta or ceramic pots work best for succulent plants. Both of these materials allow for proper air and water circulation because they are both breathable. Just keep in mind that both ceramic and terracotta are weighty, especially after adding soil and plants.
Pick resin or plastic pots for larger plants, especially ones you plan to move around. Your back will thank you for using those lighter pots as you move or reposition plants.
In cement containers, can plants flourish?
Concrete is not poisonous to humans or to plants. Nevertheless, some plants may be harmed by concrete.
This is because concrete contains lime, which has a high alkaline content. Many plants require higher acidic soil in order to thrive because they can’t survive in high alkalinity soil.
Because they have probably undergone a leaching process and been sealed, most concrete planters that are bought from stores are safe for any plants.
If you want to be cautious, you can let the concrete planter soak in water for three days to let the alkalinity leak out.
Because they are relatively porous and will let some moisture through, cement and concrete pots are often excellent choices for potted plants.
With less chance of overwatering than if they were in a planter made of plastic or another non-porous material, this makes plants easier to care for.
Concrete and cement are equivalent in terms of which is better for plants. Each of them has lime and will release alkalinity.
With either concrete or cement, the soil’s ph level will be roughly the same.
Concrete can be neutralized by submerging it in water for approximately three days. Lime seeps through the pores of cement or concrete when submerged in water.
The advantage of doing this is that high alkalinity may cause some plant kinds to not grow or even to eventually perish. You see, lime is quite alkaline due to its high pH.
Lime leaching a concrete planter or pot is not required, however, as plants, like the majority of succulents, frequently flourish in soil with a higher pH.
Vegetables can be grown safely in concrete planters, pots, and other containers. But if you’re producing them from scratch, you should let them leach for three days.
Concrete planters that are bought from a store have typically already through that procedure and are highly likely to be sealed.
Although they may need to be watered more frequently, terra cotta and concrete pots are the best choice for the majority of plants because the alternatives can be more problematic.
Non-porous containers, like ceramic and plastic pots, hold too much water, which is a surefire way to get root rot. There must be drainage holes in these kinds of containers.
This is because concrete leaches lime, which has a high alkaline content, and succulents prefer soil that is higher on the alkaline side.
In a concrete planter, though, you can put any kind of plant, though you might want to wet it beforehand.
Change the water every day for three days while doing this. This will hasten the process of alkalinity leaching away.
In addition to soaking the concrete planters in water, you can decide to seal them if you are still concerned about high alkalinity.
Only plants that require more acidic soil should be grown in concrete pots that need to be sealed.
Succulents thrive in this habitat, however many other plants won’t be content in this soil.
Some of the lime will not bleed into the soil if the concrete is sealed.
But before sealing, I advise giving the pots a three-day soak in water. This will rapidly remove most of the concrete’s alkalinity.
The prevention of efflorescence is another advantage of sealing DIY concrete planters. The minerals in concrete bleed through and generate an accumulation of white residue, which is what causes efflorescence.
Depending on your objectives, you can choose the best concrete sealer for planters. A concrete planter should be sealed for two reasons.
One is that it can increase the concrete’s durability slightly, and the other is that it can help stop lime, a common element in concrete and cement products, from leaching.
Does concrete harm plants?
Cement is mostly utilized to make homes, buildings, and other things of this nature in today’s globe.
Plants are readily harmed by concrete because they come into contact with it when we mix concrete for our do-it-yourself house repairs and in other indirect ways, as when they are planted in concrete planters.
Cement and concrete have an impact on plants because the limestone (calcium carbonate) they contain has a direct impact on soil pH, raising it to highly alkaline levels. As the pH rises, the soil’s minerals become less soluble and thus less soluble for plants to absorb.
Many people frequently believe that cement and concrete are interchangeable terms. The truth is that they are distinct from one another. A crucial component of concrete is cement.
Because it dissolves cement due to the presence of weak acids in it, acid rain can be dangerous for regions where cement and concrete are used.
Let’s examine every facet of cement and plants to gain a thorough understanding of this subject.
Succulents prefer tight pots, right?
Succulents should be planted in pots that are about 10% broader than the plants themselves. Choose the shallow pot whenever the choice is between a deep or shallow pot. The pot’s depth should be 10% greater than the plant’s depth.
Let’s clarify using instances from real life:
- Grab a 2.5 (the best option) to 4 inch pot (the exact maximum size) for optimal outcomes if you have a 2 inch succulent.
- Grab a 4.5 (the best option) to 6 inch pot (the exact maximum size) for optimal results if you have a 4 inch succulent.
Succulents: Can they flourish in pots without holes?
Whether you’ve planted succulents before or not, you probably already know that the subject of drainage holes comes up very frequently. What makes drainage holes crucial? They help prevent moisture from accumulating at the pot’s base by allowing extra water to seep out of the container.
Because succulents store water in their tissues, leaves, and stems, this is a significant concern. They are vulnerable to root rot if submerged in water for an extended period of time. Some folks are rigid about all planters having drainage holes.
Some people don’t care as much about holes. Here are some things to think about if you have a container that you really want to use for growing succulents and cacti but you’re worried about drainage problems.
To Drill or Not to Drill?
You can certainly drill a hole into the planter, and you don’t need to be skilled with tools to do so. How to start drilling a hole in ceramic, glass, etc. is covered in a ton of free video tutorials. Please click on “How to Grow Succulents in Pots without Holes” for detailed instructions on how to drill a hole in glass or ceramic containers.
Things to Consider Before Drilling a Hole
What would drilling a hole cost you? Would it be more expensive to buy a pot with drainage or to drill a hole? Most households already have a drill.
Most likely, all you need to spend money on are some reasonably priced diamond drill bits. When you consider how much use you will get out of a drill, even if you don’t already own one and must buy one, you might view the purchase as a wise financial decision.
You must decide which item you value more, the plant or the pot. You might want to think twice before drilling a hole in a particularly expensive pot that you spent a lot of money on or perhaps an antique. Additionally, once a hole has been made in something, there is truly no going back; it is irreversible.
So think about which is more essential to you: the plants’ value or the container’s value. Succulent plants are fortunately inexpensive and simple to replace. The reason we adore them so much is that they are extremely simple to cultivate and spread.
Do Succulents Need Drainage?
Succulents in pots—can they thrive without drainage? In light of this, you’ve made the decision to plant the succulents in a container without holes. How long will they be able to survive? Succulents can live and even flourish in pots without holes, so yes, they can. Everything hinges on how you take care of the plants.
The main issue that individuals have is with irrigation. Succulents can suffer from people overwatering them, which is bad for the plants. Succulents can flourish for a long time in pots without drainage after you understand how to properly water them.
Here is evidence that succulents can thrive in containers without drainage for a long time. In this instance, the container failed much earlier than the plants. The containers of these plants have outlived them. The plants are still flourishing, as you can see. They spent around two years in this container. How did I manage to keep them around this long? primarily from utilizing the right potting material and adequate watering practices.
I’ve attempted to repair this in the past with hot glue. I decided to repot these plants after around two years.
How to Plant Succulents in Pots without Holes
You can make a layer for drainage in the bottom of the pot by adding a layer of rocks, pebbles, stones, or pumice (or a combination of these). By allowing extra water to flow out of the soil and into the rocks at the bottom, this can help prevent root rot. By enabling the water to drain from the soil more quickly and keeping the roots from spending too much time in moist soil, this helps prevent root rot.
Think about how big the pot is. You will primarily need pebbles, pumice, or smaller rocks if your pot is small. You’ll need bigger and more rocks the bigger the pot.
You can incorporate pebbles, boulders, pumice, or perlite into the cactus potting mix in addition to the drainage layer. Adding larger particles to the soil, which is typically highly compact, generates more space between them, allowing water to drain out more quickly and preventing the roots from soaking in damp soil for an extended period of time.
The aid of activated charcoal aids in water absorption. Additionally, it has inherent antibacterial qualities that can inhibit the growth of germs and fungi. A layer of activated charcoal, about 1/2 inch thick, can be added over the rock layer or in the bottom of the pot.
Although it is optional, activated charcoal is a nice choice to have if you want more drainage and absorption. It might not be possible to utilize activated charcoal if the pot you’re using is small. Please visit my resource page to learn where to buy activated charcoal online.
You’ll need extra dirt as the container gets bigger. More soil indicates that the soil can hold more water. Consider the plants you are utilizing while selecting the pot size.
Large containers are unnecessary for small plants. When repotting, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that the new pot shouldn’t be more than 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the old one. Succulents don’t require a lot of extra space because they prefer a small pot anyway.
How to Water Succulents Without Drainage
Your watering strategies are the key to the plants’ survival in pots without holes. Keep in mind that extra water cannot drain from the pot, so water the plant sparingly. You should take particular care when watering plants without holes if you tend to overwater your plants. In between waterings, let plants dry out, then check the soil for moisture.
Use a syringe, a spray bottle, or a squeeze bottle if you want to better manage the water you put into the containers. Make sure to spray the soil, not the plant’s surface, while using a spray bottle. You want the water to reach the plant’s roots so that it can be absorbed there.
The size of your container, the growing season, and the environment where you reside all have a significant role in when and how often you should water. The dry and growing season tends to increase the need for water on plants. Plants require less water during the slower growing season and cooler months. I normally observe the plant to determine when and how frequently to water it. In general, I water once every 7 to 10 days throughout the summer and less frequently, once every 10 to 14 days or more, during the cooler months.
My plants receive plenty of sunlight because I keep them outside the entire year. Additionally, my area is rather dry, and the midday sun may be quite warm. You don’t need to water as frequently if you reside in a humid climate.
Water the plants sparingly to begin with and then increase the amount as necessary. Until you determine the plants’ watering requirements, it is preferable to underwater rather than overwater.
If you mistakenly added too much water, you can carefully tilt the pot over while holding the plants in place to prevent them from falling out to drain the extra water. To dab the extra water, you can also use a dry towel or paper towel.
If you keep your plants outdoors, be sure to transfer the pots without holes to a shaded area when it looks like it could rain. Pour away the extra water as soon as you can if you forget to move the pots and it rains on them.
When your plants begin to shrivel, that’s a strong indication that they need more water. Usually, the leaves are the first to do this. You are typically underwatering if you touch a plant and it feels soft and unfull of water.
Time to Repot
Let’s assume that despite your efforts, the plants are not growing healthily. Not to worry. Succulents are extremely tolerant plants. The plants can be taken out and replanted elsewhere. When given the necessary care, they frequently recover quickly.
In this instance, the pot isn’t doing well, but the plants are. I potted these plants in the following manner. I took stem cuttings and placed them in several pots because I wanted them to grow more. As usual, I added perlite to a cactus potting mix for enhanced drainage.
They were divided into two pots. Jade clippings from a prior project were also included. My favored method for propagating and expanding my collection of succulents is stem cuttings. It seems to me to be the most straightforward and successful. For further information, please click on “Easiest Way to Propagate Succulents: via Stem Cuttings.”