A pot might seem like just a vessel to hold soil and roots, but in the world of gardening, it’s so much more than that. The right pot can elevate your plants from surviving to thriving, whether you’re gardening on a balcony in Manchester, a backyard in Melbourne, or a rooftop in New York.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring down a sea of terracotta, ceramic, and plastic options, wondering if your fern is secretly judging your choices — you’re not alone. Choosing the right pot isn’t just about aesthetics (though that does matter); it’s about drainage, breathability, space, and knowing your plant’s personality.
Here’s a fun and practical guide to different types of pots your garden needs — and which plants love calling them home.
Terracotta Pots
Best For: Mediterranean herbs, succulents, cacti, and most houseplants that hate wet feet.
Why We Love Them: Terracotta (the lovely reddish-brown clay variety) is the gold standard for breathability. These pots wick moisture from the soil, which helps prevent overwatering — a common killer of many a houseplant.
Perfect Match: Think lavender, rosemary, thyme, jade plants, snake plants, and echeveria.
Pro Tip: In hot climates, these pots can dry out quickly. Line them with a bit of coconut coir or use a moisture-retaining compost mix.
Ceramic or Glazed Pots
Best For: Ornamental plants and moisture-loving varieties like ferns, peace lilies, and begonias.
Why We Love Them: These pots are decorative and durable. The glaze helps retain moisture, which is a bonus for tropical and humidity-loving plants.
Perfect Match: Calatheas, ferns, anthuriums, begonias, and spider plants.
Pro Tip: Always check for drainage holes. If the pot doesn't have any (some decorative ones don’t), either drill your own or double-pot — place your plant in a plastic pot with drainage inside the decorative ceramic pot.
Plastic Pots
Best For: Seedlings, container veggies, and fast-growing annuals.
Why We Love Them: Lightweight, affordable, and they retain moisture like champs. They’re great for mobile gardens where you might need to move pots around to catch the sun.
Perfect Match: Tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, zinnias, lettuce, and courgettes (zucchini for my American friends!).
Pro Tip: Opt for recycled or biodegradable plastics when possible. Bonus points for pots with UV protection — they'll last longer outdoors.
Fabric Grow Bags
Best For: Root veggies, herbs, and plants that need excellent drainage and aeration.
Why We Love Them: These breathable beauties are lightweight, collapsible, and super space-efficient. They’re ideal for small-space or urban gardening.
Perfect Match: Potatoes, carrots, chillies, strawberries, basil, mint, and chard.
Pro Tip: Don’t overwater — while they drain well, they can lose water fast in hot weather. A mulch layer on top can help retain moisture.
Concrete and Stone Pots
Best For: Statement pieces and long-term planting projects.
Why We Love Them: Stylish, sturdy, and weather-resistant. These pots don’t blow over easily in high winds and offer excellent insulation for plant roots.
Perfect Match: Dwarf conifers, agapanthus, roses, bay trees, and larger succulents.
Pro Tip: They can be heavy, so plan your placement before potting up. Also, avoid placing them on balconies or decks without checking weight limits.
Hanging Pots and Baskets
Best For: Cascading plants, trailing vines, and edible flowers.
Why We Love Them: Hanging pots add vertical interest and are perfect for small gardens or patios. They're also a fab way to keep plants away from pests.
Perfect Match: Petunias, trailing lobelia, strawberries, sweet alyssum, and string of pearls.
Pro Tip: Make sure they’re easy to water — choose ones with coconut liners or self-watering systems for less fuss.
Self-Watering Pots
Best For: Busy gardeners or those who travel frequently.
Why We Love Them: These pots have a built-in water reservoir at the bottom, allowing your plants to drink as they please.
Perfect Match: African violets, peace lilies, herbs, and houseplants that prefer consistent moisture.
Pro Tip: Still check the soil every week or so. They help prevent over- or under-watering but aren’t a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
Wooden Planters
Best For: Raised beds, herbs, and vegetables.
Why We Love Them: Natural and rustic, wood blends beautifully into most gardens. It offers good insulation and breathability when treated properly.
Perfect Match: Lettuce, spinach, rocket, radishes, parsley, and dwarf beans.
Pro Tip: Line with landscaping fabric to prevent rot. Cedar and redwood resist decay naturally, making them ideal materials.
Recycled and Upcycled Pots
Best For: Creative gardeners who love sustainability.
Why We Love Them: From old teapots to repurposed tins, these give your garden a quirky, personal touch and help reduce waste.
Perfect Match: Succulents, microgreens, and small herbs like chives or oregano.
Pro Tip: Drill holes or add gravel at the bottom for drainage. And don’t forget to let your personality shine through!
In the end, your garden should reflect you — a blend of practicality and personality. Have fun experimenting with different pot types to discover what works best for your space and your plant babies.
Whether it’s a stately ceramic pot with a majestic monstera or a cheeky old boot sprouting thyme, every container can become a tiny world of its own.
So go ahead — dig in, pot up, and watch your garden grow!
