Pots & planters

What are plant pots made of?  

Plant pots can be made of several different materials. Common plant pot materials include metal, wood, plastic, concrete and other stoneware such as ceramics.  

Each material has its own characteristics and will need to be treated slightly different. For example, you can pour soil and raise a plant directly inside a concrete or ceramic planter pot. However, a flatwoven basket plant pot will likely need a plastic inner pot to prevent water from spilling out.  

Should plant pots have drainage holes?  

Plant pots don’t need to have drainage holes in the bottom. But the drainage hole does help the plant by providing ventilation and protecting roots and soil from flooding.   

The drainage hole at the bottom provides ventilation to the plant. It lets air through the soil in the pot, which can be crucial to some plants, but less necessary for others.  

With a drainage hole at the bottom of your planter, the risk of over watering is minimized. This because any excess water just sips out through the hole in the bottom. Simply place a saucer underneath the pot to gather up the water and protect your floors from spillage.    

Another way to add drainage and ventilation to your plant is putting a pot within your pot. When you buy a plant, you will usually get it in a plastic inner pot. This can simply be put in the larger pot without replanting. Any excess water will then be drained from the inner pot to your plant pot and can easily be poured out. Additionally, some ventilation is provided by the air between the pots.   

Do plant pots need saucers?  

If you have a plant pot with a drainage hole, and you’re planning on using it indoor or on a wooden deck, a saucer is a good idea. The saucers help protect your floors from getting water damage from any excess water that leaks through the pot.   

Can plastic plant pots be recycled?  

There is nothing special about the plastic in plastic plant pots. They can be recycled the same as other plastics.   
Just make sure to clean the pot before recycling it. Soil is compostable, so try to throw away leftover soil in a compost or pour it out in an outdoor flower bed. Clean the inside of the plant pot with a paper cloth and rinse it out before recycling.