Who wouldn’t want to have a luscious and colourful garden, am I right? Plants bring about this distinct, inherent sense of peace and serenity unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Ah yes, the sprouting of a seed, the beginning of a new life. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? You’ll do absolutely anything to preserve the natural beauty of your garden. Protect it at all costs.
But unfortunately, not everyone has the means to grow their green thumb in a pretty garden. I know, it’s unfair. So what do you do? You go for the next best thing – you start growing potted plants in your home. Sure enough, it’s not a full-on garden but it’s still better than nothing and it’ll definitely tickle your horticulture habits. It’s small-scale gardening but it still counts. I know you’re eager to get started, so let’s dive into the basics of cultivation culture so that you’re absolutely ready to go on your newest adventure.
Types of Planter Materials
There are a few materials that can be used in the production process. Carefully handmade garden planters in particular are my personal favourites because of the level of dedication and attention to detail that’s required. Without further ado, here’s a quick breakdown of the modern plant pots materials.
Ceramic Pots
These types of handmade pots aren’t just aesthetically pleasing to the eye, they’re also beneficial for the plant. The main advantage of ceramic pots is that they allow water and air movement from the sides of the pot, both of which stimulate root growth and healthy plant development. In addition, they’re great at wicking away moisture which might come in handy if you have a tendency to overwater your plants.
However, they’re a little on the heavier side, so moving them around might be tedious and daunting for some. At the end of the day, if you’re careful and patient enough, you shouldn’t encounter any significant problems.
Clay Pots
Similarly, clay pots also facilitate a healthy environment for plants to grow. Clay is porous which means that, just like ceramic pots, it lets the air and moisture penetrate from the sides of the pot which are later used by the roots and the plant itself. Despite its porosity, clay is a rather thick material that can protect the roots of the plant from extreme changes in temperature and weather conditions. This can be quite beneficial for plants that are overly sensitive to external factors. And finally, clay pots are eco-friendly and cost-effective, two things that we love to see in today’s world.
Metal Pots
Metal pots are a great way to add some elegance and luxury to your home garden. When thinking about the type of pot to get, most people overlook or don’t even consider metal as an option. But we’re here to remind you of its existence. The great thing about them is the fact that you can re-purpose any old metal container and use it as a handmade garden planter. This will instantly upgrade your home garden and give it a unique look. One downside is that metal heats up fairly quickly due to increased sun exposure. Unfortunately, this can easily dry out your plants and cause most of the water to evaporate. Not a good sign.
Plastic Pots
These are the most affordable and versatile planting solution. They come in a variety of designs and colours so you can easily play around with that. Moreover, they’re incredibly lightweight and easy to carry which means moving them around should be a breeze. But be careful, cheap plastic containers may fade and crack with increased use because plastic isn’t as durable as other materials.
Does Plant Pot Size Matter?
Yes, it absolutely does. While pots and planters are usually used interchangeably, there is a difference. Pots are smaller and more compact and therefore they’re more appropriate to use with single, smaller plants. Planters, on the other hand, are generally larger and can accommodate a larger number of plants.
When you’re trying to decide on the size of the pots and planters, make it a habit of getting one that’s one to two inches larger than the current size of your plant. This way, you’ll take into consideration the growth that occurs over time.
Benefits of Having Plants at Home
Having plants at home not only brightens up the space and gives it an extra edge, it also influences your overall mood and productivity. It breathes new life into both the space (quite literally!) and you. This is because plants can help calm you down by reducing stress and anxiety. Plants are able to help with this because they release oxygen and remove potential toxins from the air. And we all know we’ve got way too much of that going around. When you have plants at home, you automatically think of the great outdoors and the beautiful countryside.
An added benefit of taking care of plants is the fact that they don’t require too much attention. You just water them occasionally and they do the rest themselves. They’re basically a low-maintenance pet.
So now that you’re familiar with the planting basics, there’s nothing stopping you from venturing on your latest journey. Hopefully, we’ve given you some useful information and tips to help you along. Happy planting!