Creative containers

Choosing the right pots can be as important as choosing the right plants


Choosing the right containers for your plants is as important as selecting the correct plants for your home and garden. The pots you use directly influence how good the plants look, how well they grow and what kind of care they require. Containers come in various sizes, shapes, colours and materials.

Choose from clay or plastic pots, glazed earthenware, wooden, ceramic, metal or fibreglass planters, terracotta troughs and urns made from concrete or reconstituted stone. The most important factor to consider is that the size of the container should be suitable for the chosen plant and should have good drainage.

Knowledge of the colours of the blooms helps in choosing the colour of the container, whereas for indoor plants one can look for containers that match the decor. Here is a look at different types of containers:

Clay Pots
Clay pots are functional and attractive. They are best suited for outdoor plants, particularly winter blooms in the UAE because they are porous and allow rapid evaporation, protecting the plant from water logging. But in summer, plants in clay pots need heavier watering than those in plastic pots. The disadvantage of clay pots is they break easily, develop a green slime in case of over-watering or blocking of drainage hole and sometimes get white patches if the soil is alkaline or over-fertilised.

Plastic pots
These have the advantage of being lightweight, inexpensive, easy to clean, easy to move around and much more durable than clay pots. Another advantage is that you get matching pots in various shapes, sizes and colours. Plastic pots usually have several drainage holes at the bottom, but they retain water much longer because they are not porous like clay pots. Hence plants in plastic containers should be watered less often than those in clay containers.

Pottery containers
Ceramic and glazed earthenware containers are beautiful and are particularly good for indoor plants and in visible areas such as patios. You can buy matching pairs or sets in many different sizes and interesting shapes such as tortoises, frogs and shells. Keep the shape, colour and size of your plant in mind when buying the container. The only disadvantage of these containers is their fragility and they should be avoided if you have playful pets or small children.

Wicker baskets
Can be used as containers, but they must be lined with plastic to prevent rotting of the basket. It is best to place the plant in another container before placing it in the basket.

Hanging planters
A wide range of hanging planters is available. These could be made of ceramic, wood, wire, plastic and clay. Wire baskets must be lined with coarse sphagnum moss or sheet moss before you fill them with potting mix. But keep in mind that they will still drip water. Ordinary clay, plastic and ceramic pots can be converted to hanging pots by using decorative jute, bead or wire hangers. Remember to place a saucer below the pot.

Wooden containers
Are usually made of long lasting woods such as oak or cedar. They have a charming rustic appearance and a natural look. Test the planter to make sure water does not leak out as soon as you pour it in. Line it with plastic if there is leakage.

Cement and stone planters
These come in many shapes — from traditional urns and troughs to artistic sculptures. They are extremely durable, but their main disadvantage is that they are very heavy and cannot be moved around easily. If you want to use them for a plant that needs to be moved to a shadier area in summer, place it in a plastic or clay container and then place inside the cement pot.

Self watering containers
These are useful for indoor plants. The advantage is that the plants need watering only once in four or five weeks. These pots are designed to automatically deliver water at the rate at which the plant uses it. Self-watering containers have built-in water reservoirs or an outer pot that acts as a reservoir. The wicks in these pots must be soaked in water before use. Never put a drainage layer of gravel in the bottom of these containers as it stalls the capillary action and always add a soluble fertiliser to the water when topping off the reservoir. If the potting mix seems constantly soggy, install a thinner wick and if it tends to remain dry use a thicker wick or use several wicks.

Cachepots and Jardinieres
These are decorative containers used for displaying potted plants. They are generally used for indoor plants. The plants can be grown in a clay or plastic pot and then placed in a jardiniére that matches the decor. Cachepots can be made of wood, brass, steel, fibreglass, wicker, ceramic, porcelain, glass or crystal.

Since the grow pot provides drainage, the cachepot need not have a drainage hole. Ensure that the cachepot is at least two inches higher than the grow pot. Put a one inch layer of Styrofoam chips and crushed chicken wire at the bottom of the jardiniére. Set the grow pot in it and pack some Styrofoam around the sides. The grow pot can be hidden by spreading sphagnum moss or coloured stones over the surface. Check regularly to ensure that water does not collect at the bottom of the cachepot.

Creative containers
Creative gardeners have been known to use a variety of household items as planters. Mugs with broken handles, ceramic casseroles, kitchen pots and pans and plastic dustbins can make interesting planters. Holes can be drilled in large shells to transform them into beautiful pots. Old wheelbarrows make stylish planters and we have even spotted a bullock cart full of petunias in a garden in Dubai.