The Best Classic Flower Pots To Decorate Your Space

The pride of every gardener, florist, or plant owner is seeing their flower plants grow and thrive. That sense of accomplishment is a feeling that plant owners absolutely love. But, unfortunately, not everyone gets to experience that feeling because many plant owners find it tough to keep their plants alive, mostly because the plants don't get enough sunlight, aren't watered regularly, or are housed in the wrong flower pot. It might seem like a flower pot has little impact on the survivability of the plant. After all, it is just a fancy container to grow a plant, right? Not exactly, and seasoned plant owners know it. Getting the wrong flower pot to house plants can be the sole reason why your plant may die, resulting in the waste of your time, energy, and resources. In short, the type of flower pots you get plays a significant role in the success or failure of your flowers.

That being said, there is a sea of options when it comes to flower pots. Each one with its own beautiful shape, color, and size. It can be quite tough to pick flower pots that would be best for your flowers. There are a lot of important factors to consider when it comes to flower pots including size, material, price, etc. This buying guide provides ample information on all you need to know before buying the best flower pots.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying a Flower Pot?

Size: does it really matter?

Absolutely! The size of your pot matters a lot. Imagine buying a tiny flower pot for a plant the size of a sunflower: it simply will not work. The general rule of thumb for the best flower pot is that it should be able to contain a healthy amount of soil and have enough room for roots to grow. Choosing the right size for your pot cannot be over-emphasized. A too-large pot would retain more water and could lead to root rot. A small plant in a too-large pot is more susceptible to tipping over as well. 

In a too-small pot, the soil can dry out too quickly, requiring frequent watering. Failure to provide adequate water to your plants can lead to stunted growth and possibly the death of the plant. Ideally, it is advisable to use a pot that is the same size as the plant in its early growth stage. When it gets bigger, transplanting to another pot that is two to five inches larger is advisable. If the plant is a slow grower, then a pot that is one to two inches larger may be more appropriate.

Drainage before décor

When it comes to buying a flower pot, most people would go for the most vibrantly colored or fancily designed one, but they couldn’t be more wrong! As much as it is nice to have a beautiful pot, it’s more important that you have a useful pot that your flowers can thrive in, like a planter with drainage holes.

Most house plants don't do well with standing water. Hence, a pot with adequate drainage is an essential factor to consider when buying the best flower pots. Healthy plants not only need sunlight to grow, but they also need oxygen for their roots. Excess water in flower pots could cause your flower plants to drown, so choose a flower pot that has at least one drainage hole.

Pot porosity

A porous flower pot is one that 'breaths', that is, it allows moisture and air to circulate around the root of the plant. Porous pot materials include those made with natural materials such as clay, timber, terra-cotta, etc. A porous flower pot allows plants to breathe, moderates the temperature of the soil, and removes excess water. However porous plant pots need frequent watering unlike non-porous pots such as those made of ceramic and plastic materials.

Weight

A heavy flower pot is hard to move around especially when the soil is moist. If you’re the sort that likes to rearrange the order of things, then it is important that you get a lightweight flower pot. When considering how much a pot weighs, you must factor in the pot itself, the plant, the soil, and the water. If you live in a windy area and you want a sturdy pot, then a heavy pot is a great option for you.

Maintenance and durability

The total lifespan of a flower pot depends on the amount of effort you expend on its maintenance, the quality and durability of materials used, and the location of the pot (indoor/outdoor). If you want a pot that would stand the test of time instead of one that you would have to keep replacing every other month, then you need to buy one that is made of durable materials such as wood, terra-cotta, etc.

How Much Does a Flower Pot Cost?

The price of a flower pot depends on the size and materials used in making it. It is more advisable to buy a durable flower pot than to buy one simply because it is cheap. The money spent on replacing a poor-quality flower pot after every few months would eventually be more than the cost of a high-quality durable pot. So, buy it once and buy it right to avoid extra costs. On average, a flower pot could cost as low as $15 and as high as $100 depending on the quality.

What Materials Are Flower Pots Made of?

Plastic

Flower pots made with plastic are durable, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive. Their lightweight could come in handy if you like to rearrange your flower pots from time to time. Pots made with plastic retain moisture well. However, you need to ensure that there isn't excess water in the pot.

It is very important that you buy a plastic pot with drainage holes underneath. If you're located in a sunny and hot area, you should consider getting lighter-colored plastic outdoor planters as darker-colored ones would absorb more heat and can damage tender roots.

Terra-cotta

Flower pots made with terra-cotta have a warm earthly tone and color that would complement the beauty of any plant. It is made up of porous clay that keeps soil cool and removes excess moisture. However, terra-cotta is a fragile material and may cause the soil to dry out easily.

Concrete

As the name implies, concrete pots are made with cement and are incredibly heavy. There are suitable for outdoor plants and trees with no intent of the owner to frequently change their position. A concrete pot creates a healthy and stable environment for plants to thrive in. it has good insulating properties and is very durable. Also, concrete outdoor planters can withstand all weather conditions.

Wood

Flower pots made of wood are among the most natural and favored pots used by gardeners. They are porous, lightweight, and can retain water very efficiently. When choosing a wooden flower pot, you must ensure that you pick one that is made with rot-resistant wood such as cedar, redwood, pine, etc. Also, ensure that your pots are not coated in toxic paints that could lead to wood rot.

Ceramic

Flower pots made with ceramic are usually beautiful and brightly colored. This type of pot is great for aesthetics. It retains moisture and is quite heavy. The ceramic flower pot is ideal for small plants and is the most expensive of all flower pots.

How Do You Decorate a Classic Flower Pot?

If you're unsure of where to begin with decorating your new pot, check out this video for tips and tricks.