Are Plastic Pots Good For Succulents

The absorption of terracotta, meanwhile, can sometimes work against you, especially in warm weather. Plants may become parched as a result of the soil drying out too soon due to the clay’s absorbent properties. In cooler months, this is less of an issue, but in the summer, you may need to water your plants more frequently to make sure the pot isn’t robbing them of too much moisture.

Plastic pots might be the best choice if you frequently neglect to water your succulent plants. Since plastic is not permeable or absorbent, it will take longer for the soil to dry out than with clay pots. Just make sure your plastic containers have adequate drainage; otherwise, you might discover that the roots of your succulents have rotted from too much moisture.

Black or dark-colored plastic containers, as was already said, might also cause the soil of your succulent to dry up. The water in the soil will evaporate more quickly because the dark colors absorb more heat from the sun. Keep an eye on those succulents during the summer because this can swiftly harm a plant in excessive heat.

Can succulents be grown in plastic containers?

Which is preferable for succulents and cacti: plastic or clay pots?

This argument has been around for a while—at least since the late 1960s, when I first developed an interest in indoor plants. At the time, I was informed that terracotta pots (unglazed pottery) were the ideal container for succulents and cactus, which are a type of succulent “more air to reach the roots since they could breathe (were porous). Additionally, they lost water more quickly due to their porosity, and succulents didn’t like to sit in soggy ground. It made logical at the time, and there is some truth to it, but…

In actuality, plastic pots work just as well for growing succulents as clay ones. And given how costly terracotta pots are right now, I predict that most succulent lovers use plastic more frequently than clay.

That “As long as you use a potting mix with lots of air gaps, it doesn’t matter that terracotta pots dry out more quickly than plastic ones (potting mixes have significantly improved in aeration since the 1960s!) and water your plants appropriately by not watering again until the growth medium is completely dry. If the plant is carefully placed in well-aerated soil, the difference in drying times between soil in terracotta pots and soil in regular pots will probably be negligible.

But terracotta pots would be a better option if you tend to overwater (and ideally, you’d learn not to do so!). That would also be true if you frequently place your succulents in dim areas where they don’t get enough light, develop slowly, and consume little water. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t be mistreating your succulents in this manner. (They enjoy lots of light in general!)

The implication of the foregoing is that you should probably choose plastic if you have a tendency to forget to water. That might only prolong the life of a highly drought-stressed succulent by one or two days.

Of course, you can use either one if you’re just a typical houseplant owner who pays attention to watering requirements.

What Commercial Succulent Growers Do

The fact that commercial succulent nurseries have mostly converted to plastic from terracotta pots, which they formerly used almost exclusively, is revealing, in my opinion. Now, that’s primarily due to cost—terracotta pots are just so dear! However, they would still be using clay pots if they were truly necessary for maintaining the health of succulents.

In fact, it’s fashionable right now for succulent nurseries to grow succulents in flimsy, inexpensive plastic containers before slipping them into more decorative cachepots to boost sales. When watering these, all you need to do is take the “grow pot” out of the cachepot 10 to 30 minutes after watering and drain any extra water.

Other Pros and Cons of Terracotta and Plastic

Even though terracotta pots are heavier and may support taller succulents better, a plastic pot might just as easily be inserted into a large cachepot.
As already stated, terracotta is pricey. There are some plastic pots that are, but you can easily locate affordable ones.
Plastic pots can be considered pollutants unless they are recycled or reused, which I do and believe most gardeners do (ditto).
Over time, the outside surface of terracotta pots frequently acquires pale mineral stains where water once permeated and evaporated. However, some designers consider it elegant and even refer to it as patina, so that drawback might be perceived as a benefit.
There are practically no limits to the shapes, sizes, textures, and colors of plastic pots. Even some of them precisely mimic clay! Terracotta has a lot more limitations. Although there is a considerable variety of sizes and forms, and it could potentially be available in a wide range of colors (owing to various clays as well as dyes and stains), terracotta typically only appears in the well-known brownish-orange shade that we have come to associate with it.
Most polymers are less brittle and less likely to break than terracotta. However, I do not advise testing this by dumping any kind of pot from a significant height.
Plastics can withstand frigid temperatures better, and some of them are really thought to be weatherproof. Terracotta pots should never be left outside in subfreezing temperatures since they may fracture. Still, if you don’t leave a pot outside in subfreezing temperatures, it will generally last longer.
In the past, terracotta pot shards that could be found by (hopefully accidently) shattering terracotta pots were frequently utilized as a drainage layer in pots. But drainage layers have long been frowned upon in horticulture, and as a result, most terracotta fragments today probably end up in the trash.
Because they evaporate moisture (and evaporation has a cooling effect), and because they are rather thick, terracotta pots shield plant roots from heat better than most plastic ones. When put in direct sunlight, black and other dark colors of plastic can dramatically heat up the soil in a pot. However, if heat is a concern, you could achieve the same appearance by encasing the pot in a pale-colored cache-pot or utilizing white and other light-colored plastics.

However, as long as it includes a drainage hole, it usually doesn’t matter what kind of pot you choose to grow your succulents.

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.

Drainage

Before you plant and cultivate succulents, the most important thing to understand is that they don’t like a lot of water. Even before you develop a watering schedule, this is relevant. Without adequate drainage, water that accumulates at the bottom of a container without anywhere to go may cause root rot in your succulent.

The ideal pots for succulents, regardless of design, are planters with drainage holes in the bottom. Since many succulent planters lack drainage holes, you can use any of them as long as you keep in mind to water succulents sparingly and keep an eye on them frequently.

Do cacti enjoy plastic containers?

The pot or container you choose for your cactus is crucial and might have an impact on the health of your plant. We will discuss many best and worst cacti pots and containers in this article. We’ll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various pots and the significance of size and shape.

Cacti and their growth are significantly influenced by the type of container, its form, and size. While some containers are ideal or excellent, others are completely inappropriate.

Importance of cacti pot/container shape

Before we discuss container materials, let’s discuss another crucial aspect. Take care of the container’s form while buying one for your cactus. When purchasing a planter for your cactus, some qualities to consider include the following:

The size of the container should be similar to that of the cactus. This is so that, if planted in a large container, cacti’s roots, which are frequently not very long, will remain in the middle of the container.
Cacti grow well in cylinder, short, and square pots. Avoid selecting containers that are overly deep, tall, or small.
All of the dirt in the container should be “used” by your cactus. Therefore, there shouldn’t be an excessive amount of dirt that the cactus roots can’t penetrate. Only leave enough room around the plant for growth and drainage in the bottom.

Size of pots for your cacti

As we’ve already established, your cactus, and more specifically its roots, should practically be the same size as the pot. The best plan is to take your cactus outside and examine its roots before selecting a pot or container. Remove a cactus from its current container, examine the roots, and measure them.

Your cactus needs a wide container if its roots are short but growing to the sides, and a deeper container if its roots are long and spreading outward. Additionally, you’ll need to give room for drainage, so a pot should be just a little bit deeper than the roots.

To make your cactus comfortable in the pot, while picking a pot, add around 1-2 inches in width (to your plant’s full width). Depending on the type of cactus you choose, the depth of the container should be between 4 and 7 inches. Cylindrical cacti, for example, have lengthy roots, whereas other varieties have shorter roots (such as ball cacti).

Ceramic terracotta or glazed ceramic pots/containers for cacti

Among the advantages of ceramic planters are:

Pots made of ceramic are sturdy and weighty.
Ceramic pots come in a variety of styles and colors, many of which are glazed, making them a great option for ornamental settings.
Ceramic pots’ porous nature prevents water logging or accumulation (provided you have potted your plants in the right soil mix).
They are lovely and stunning in any environment.
They are appropriate for the colder months when it is not as heated outside.

Several drawbacks

Terracotta planters in particular are porous and minimize water buildup, however this can be detrimental to young seedlings and plants. This indicates that the soil will dry up more quickly, especially if you leave your cactus outside and during hot weather. You can forget about it, but frequent watering can also cause the pH of the soil to rise. In the section on selecting soil for cactus, we talked about how the pH of the soil should be acidic. However, larger plants thrive in ceramic containers.
To avoid having to drill the drainage holes yourself, make sure the ceramic pots include them. Drainage holes are necessary, but they might not be present in all ceramic pots.
Cactus roots may not penetrate the soil completely and instead focus on the sides. This occurs as a result of the ceramic container’s water evaporating quite quickly and leaving behind mineral residue on the sides. The roots of cacti lean to the sides in an effort to reach these minerals, but they can only burn themselves because the sides of the planters heat up.
Ceramic pots are more likely to develop mold.
Ceramic utensils may crack (especially with children or pets).

Make sure to choose the appropriate size and shape when selecting a ceramic planter. This set of three ceramic planters for small plants serves as an illustration of a ceramic pot or planter for your cacti.

Plastic pots/planters/containers for cacti

Plastic planters are another kind of container that is excellent for growing cacti in.

benefits of using plastic containers to cultivate cacti:

Plastic containers are portable and lightweight, making them simple to transport.
Less watering will be needed to maintain soil in a plastic container because it will dry out more gradually. In comparison to ceramic pots, this means fewer watering sessions.
Cacti do well in plastic pots since they don’t overheat easily and can retain heat even after the sun has set. Because most cacti don’t enjoy quick temperature drops, this is a useful feature.
The low cost of plastic pots offers an additional benefit.
To avoid waterlogging, most plastic containers feature numerous drainage holes. Additional holes can be drilled if necessary.
The roots of cactus do well in plastic containers because they spread out uniformly across the soil. This is because roots won’t lean to the sides of a plastic container since water won’t evaporate through the sides. Additionally, the acidity of the soil will last longer.
The likelihood of mold formation is decreased.
Both little and large adult cacti do well in plastic containers.
If you bang on them from a table or windowsill, they won’t break.

Hanging containers for cacti

For your cacti, you can also choose hanging basket pots. Smaller or larger trailing cactus can grow in hanging pots. Additionally, you can use them to indoor or outdoor adorn your home. Make sure your hanging pot has drainage holes and perhaps a saucer to catch any water that may drip from it as many hanging pots lack these features. These particular plastic pots allow you to drill your own holes in the bottom.

Bad containers for growing cacti

Let’s start by stating that growing cactus in glass pots is not recommended. A cactus terrarium is often made in a glass container. This is not the same as letting a cactus develop for several years. Cacti do not appreciate humidity or waterlogging, thus terrariums are not the best environment for them.

Glass cactus containers have several advantages.

For a special occasion, you may assemble a lovely terrarium with cacti and take the plants out right away (maximum of 2-3 weeks). If you’re making cacti terrariums, only use open glass containers. Plant cacti together only if their requirements are comparable. For making a cactus terrarium, you can add decorations like colored sand, shells, and figurines. Utilizing small, recently-planted cacti is the best option.

Cons of using glass cactus containers:

Glass containers are very unlikely to have drainage holes, which can lead to water logging and a buildup of moisture. This will result in root rot, which will ultimately kill your plant. You must exercise caution and give your plant some water each day, but doing so runs the risk of preventing water from penetrating the soil completely and reaching the roots.
Even an open terrarium is susceptible to fogging up and having an elevated humidity level within. Cacti require sufficient airflow and detest humidity.
Your cactus won’t be able to absorb water from the rocks in the bottom layer of soil if the dirt is layered. Roots cannot obtain water from rocks, and neither can rocks absorb it.
A glass container’s sides will quickly heat up and may burn your cactus and its roots. Your cactus may actually be cooked to death if you put it in a terrarium out in the sun.

Metallic containers for cacti

Cacti cannot be grown in metallic pots. This is due to the possibility that rusting metallic containers could seriously harm cactus.

Additionally, metallic containers quickly experience excessive heat and cold, and cacti detest abrupt temperature fluctuations.

Conclusion: Ceramic (terracotta and glazed), plastic, and hanging (may be ceramic or plastic as well) pots are the ideal containers/pots for growing cacti. Glass containers should only be used temporarily (or not at all), and metallic pots should be avoided.