Views: 226 Author: Vickey Publish Time: 2023-12-21 Origin: Site
When a beginner first starts gardening, one of the most frequent queries they have is: What kind of material should be used for plant pots? There are a lot of possibilities on the market, including fiberglass, terracotta, ceramics, plastic, and concrete. But each plant has different needs when it comes to maintenance, and the material of the pot has nothing to do with it. However, because of the advantages they offer to the plants, gardeners consistently favor planters and pots composed of natural materials. Concrete and terracotta pots are a topic of discussion among plant enthusiasts. Look through this article to see which is better for plants.
One of the various pots you can use to nurture your favorite plants is a concrete pot. The process of creating concrete planters and pots is similar to that of building foundations, although on a much smaller scale. They are heavy, robust, and long-lasting. Furthermore, they come in a variety of sizes, from little ones for growing herbs to big enough for tiny trees. Although concrete planters are clearly advantageous, there are certain disadvantages as well.
They are sturdy, unlikely to topple over, and extremely heavy. This is why concrete pots work well in windy environments.
Concrete is an extremely robust and resilient substance. Thus, the concrete planters are also very durable and long-lasting.
The porous nature of unsealed concrete is an additional advantage. Plants benefit greatly from this ability since it gives them some control over overwatering and the development of root rot.
Concrete provides heat insulation. The soil heats up in response to the sun's heat, while the concrete maintains a moderate temperature in the soil. Thus, in areas with high temperatures, the concrete planters provide excellent plant protection.
Concrete has a rough appearance because it is composed of cement and pebbles. Therefore, compared to other materials like wood or plastic, the planter lessens the outward appeal of any damage.
Additionally, a variety of sizes for concrete planters are offered. Additionally, there are enormous ones, which are not available in many plant materials.
Another advantage is that, because of the wide variety of molds available, you can even create your own planter at home.
If you enjoy periodically rearranging your plants, you may find them to be quite heavy and challenging to move. Additionally, keep in mind the weight burden when positioning on roofs or balconies.
Terra-cotta planter pots are less expensive than concrete ones. They come in a range of sizes, from super small to small.
The positive quality of concrete pots is their porosity. It may, however, also have a disadvantage. Water swiftly drains from porous materials. As a result, unsealed concrete pots require more watering than materials that hold water, like plastic. Since there is a chance of underwatering and the soil dries quickly, irrigation needs to be closely watched.
Additionally, porous material absorbs moisture from the surrounding air, increasing the likelihood of fungal growth in the planter.
One sustainable material is concrete. But compared to the creation of terracotta pots, the production of concrete pots is less environmentally beneficial.
Moreover, unsealed concrete pots leak salts into the soil due to their high mineral and alkalinity content. Efflorescence is the term for the white residue that forms on the pot as a result of salts building up when water evaporates from the soil. The accumulation of salt causes the roots to not absorb water as needed.
The natural raw material used to create ceramic and terracotta pots is called clay. In Italian, the word "terracotta" originally meant "baked earth." Terracotta pots are created by baking clay at high temperatures in a firing kiln. Usually, they are rusty brown in hue and unglazed. These pots also have a unique appearance that some people may find admirable and others may find uninteresting. Nonetheless, gardeners prefer terracotta pots because of their numerous advantages.
Although terracotta is just a basic clay-based material, growing in terracotta is recommended over other kinds of pots because of its many advantages.
Since the clay pots offer the plants a more natural appearance, their earthy tone is visually pleasing.
It's really simple to personalize them to your preferences. They can be sprayed to match the color of your interior decor, or you can paint them in any pattern you choose.
Additionally, clay pots are reasonably priced. They are inexpensive and reasonably priced, so you won't be upset if you trip over them by accident.
Terracotta is extremely permeable and porous. It facilitates the movement of air and water, which keeps your plant healthy and attractive.
These clay pots are permeable and drain quickly. They take up water, which speeds up the process of releasing surplus moisture from the soil through drainage holes. Terracotta pots are therefore appropriate for plants that require well-drained soil.
It is a chemical-free, environmentally friendly alternative. It is possible to adorn your home without harming the environment.
Pots made of terracotta are resistant to heat and offer insulating qualities.
Because of its permeability, the soil dries out rapidly and requires further damping. The plant requires more watering because it dries out more quickly, which increases the risk of underwatering.
Because of their porosity, terracotta pots are highly susceptible to external staining from mineral salts and lime, which results in efflorescence—a buildup of salt.
Terracotta pots filled with soil get heavy to move.
If dropped unintentionally, this clay-based material is quickly broken due to its brittle nature.
In the winter, it becomes brittle and easily breaks.
Plant enthusiasts prefer concrete pots over terracotta ones, but there are also some notable parallels between the two.
The most important thing to consider when selecting a container is whether it is ensuring proper drainage or not. Should it fail to do so, the damp soil will cause the roots to deteriorate. Since both varieties of pots are porous and let water and air escape through the bottom and walls, they are the most appropriate for this use.
Additionally, it would be ideal if you made sure that the container you selected would prevent your plant from being very heated when it is exposed to the sun. Pots made of terracotta or concrete both have insulating qualities that help protect your plants from extreme temperature changes.
Both terracotta and unsealed or unglazed concrete pots have porous surfaces and quickly dry out. Therefore, regular irrigation is necessary to prevent plants from being underwater.
Pots made of concrete or terracotta may develop efflorescence, or salt buildup, on their surfaces. When packed with earth, both become very heavy.
Compared to terracotta pots, concrete weighs a lot more. When filled with soil, both materials become quite heavy, but the weight of a concrete pot by itself is likewise excessive. Concrete offers great wind support in this way, but it is not recommended if you plan to leave the concrete planters on the balcony because it adds weight.
Concrete may have a negative impact on some plants because of its high lime content. The soil becomes extremely alkaline due to the lime in the soil. Plants typically prefer acidic soil, and they struggle to grow in alkaline soil. Succulents are among the rare plants that do well in alkaline soil. The concrete pots need to be completely sealed or submerged in water for a few days in order to reduce the amount of lime. However, this has an impact on the concrete's porosity. In contrast, plants thrive in terracotta pots; thus, this is not the case with them.
Because terracotta is a permeable and porous material, air and water can pass through the soil particles. Although unsealed concrete pots are not recommended because they allow lime to seep into the soil, raw concrete that has not been sealed is likewise permeable. Additionally, concrete loses porosity when sealed. As a result, compared to terracotta pots, the water in concrete pots does not drain as rapidly, and overwatering could result in root rot in concrete planters.
While thick, suitable pots can last the winter if coated appropriately, terracotta is a brittle material that breaks in the cold.
Because it is composed of natural materials, terracotta is an extremely environmentally friendly material. Another sustainable material is concrete. But compared to the creation of terracotta pots, the production of concrete pots is less environmentally beneficial.
Gardeners choose terracotta pots for both indoor and outdoor use because they are fairly priced and less expensive than concrete pots and planters.
In our opinion, terracotta is a superior material for plants. Terracotta planters are the most practical choice, even if you can get as many concrete planters as you like.
In comparison to terracotta, concrete is less porous, and in less permeable containers, the soil stays moist. Because it plugs up and stops the roots from breathing, damp soil can cause plant damage and eventual root rot. Because terracotta is porous, moisture and air can seep through the pot's sides. Air movement encourages root growth, which results in healthy plants.
Additionally, plant lovers enjoy purchasing fresh plants and planters for them. Therefore, it is not cost-effective to purchase concrete pots too regularly. Terracotta is therefore a practical and affordable option if you purchase plants on a regular basis.
