How to Choose the Best Pot for Your Plant

You’ve done it. You’ve finally found the perfect plant for your home. It now sits contentedly on your counter as you contemplate how you should repot it. But is there a right type of pot for your plant? Is there a better size… or better material? The answer to these questions is sometimes actually yes! The plant pot you choose can ultimately help your plant enjoy a longer, happier life.

Drainage
The main culprit in indoor plant deaths is overwatering, and this is often accompanied by a plant pot that didn’t have a drainage hole in the first place. With nowhere for the water to go, it will pool in the bottom, making it difficult for your plant to receive oxygen. Eventually, it may suffer from yellowing leaves, root rot, and mold. Unfortunately, many aesthetic pots don’t have pre-made drainage holes. When shopping for pots, try not to pick one for its color or pattern, without checking the bottom first. If you can’t resist a pot that isn’t prepared for plants, you can always drill a drainage hole yourself!

Size
The bigger the pot, the bigger a plant will grow, right? Not exactly. Most indoor plants prefer to be snug in their pots—too small and you will risk overwatering, too large and you will risk underwatering. In general, choose a plant pot that is 1-2 inches wider in circumference than the current size of your plant. Your plant will still have room to grow larger, but won’t be straining to fill every inch of a spacious pot and leave no energy for new growth. When you notice roots trailing out the drainage hole or poking through the top of the soil, your plant is ready for a pot upgrade.

Material
Most indoor plant pots are either clay, ceramic, or plastic. If you tend to overwater plants, an unglazed terra cotta pot is a good choice as the clay will soak up any excess water and moisture. If you despise the orange color of terra cotta, you can easily paint over it. Plastic pots are budget-friendly, easy to clean, and a light-weight choice for hanging plants. Ceramic pots often have the biggest variety in shape, color, and patterns, so are a good choice for aesthetic benefits. They might not have drainage holes, so don’t for get to inspect before buying.

Style
Once all other factors are considered, don’t forget to purchase a plant pot that complements your plant without overpowering it, too! A busy, colorful plant like the Snake Plant would do well in a terra cotta or smooth, white pot. A simple, monochromatic plant, such as the ZZ Plant, can be spruced up with a colorful, textured pot (see photo above). This is a great opportunity to get creative with different materials, colors, patterns, and textures! The plant pot you choose will help your plant stand out and provide an aesthetic touch to your home.

Do you find it difficult to choose the right pots for your plants? Hopefully this guide helps! If you have a go-to store for buying plant pots, I’d love to know in the comments!

XO,
Micah