The right plants can enhance outdoor spaces and bring interior rooms to life. They can also improve indoor air quality and provide health benefits.
Planter pot sizes matter because they determine how much water and air reach a plant’s roots. For a given soil mix, the perched water table (level of water saturation) is the same for all containers with identical dimensions.
Large Plants
Like an Englishman’s castle is his palace, a plant’s pot is its home and must be carefully considered to ensure it is healthy. Whether your commercial space is adorned with succulents on reception desks or a festive display of poinsettias for the holidays, you need to know what size planter is best for each variety. Here, Tonya Barnett of FRESHCUTKY Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden explains how to size your plants’ containers correctly and how to know when it is time to move them up to the next size.
A plant’s optimum pot size is determined by its diameter. “Round planters are most commonly sold by their diameter, while square and rectangular pots may be measured in trade gallons,” says Barnett. “However, inches and gallons do not refer to the actual size of the plant.” The number simply indicates the volume of soil the pot can hold.
Choosing a pot that is too big can cause nutrient burn and lead to water logging, as the soil will not be able to absorb the excess moisture. Conversely, a pot that is too small can have equally negative consequences as the root system is constrained. When roots grow out of the drainage holes or along the sides of a container, it is usually an indicator that it is time to go up a size.
When in doubt, gently remove the plant from its current pot to examine the roots and soil ratio. If the roots fill the entire pot and there is a good balance of soil to root, you can leave well enough alone. However, if you see more soil than roots, the plant is likely suffocating and requires a larger pot, check here for explains what low stress training is.
In addition to determining your plant’s ideal pot size, you should also consider how often you plan on watering. If you are going to water your plants more frequently, it is recommended that you opt for a larger container. This is because larger containers will be able to hold more water and will be in closer contact with the roots, which will help them stay hydrated.
Small Plants
The planter is the plant’s palace and its size is crucial to how it thrives. Matching the plant to its container is an art and a science. The wrong pot size can leave your plants struggling to get the nourishment they need, look ragged and wither, and omit that unmistakable rotten-plant smell. With a bit of forethought, careful measurement and a bit of know-how, you can avoid these landscape pitfalls and nail down your planter selection process for years to come.
Small Plants
If you are growing herbs or succulents in your office, a table top garden, or an urban rooftop garden, then smaller planters with a diameter of between 10-30 litres will be ideal. These planters are perfect for adding a pop of green to your desk or conference room and will suit succulents, cacti, and even poinsettias around Christmas time.
These pots can be found in a variety of shapes and materials. Some are more reminiscent of a terra-cotta pot, while others may have a modern and sleek design with rounded edges.
To determine a pot’s volume, it is important to consider the soil mix used and the root structure of the plant. A plant with a compacted soil will need a larger container to allow it to spread out and grow roots freely. This allows the plant to access more water, nutrient, and sunlight and to develop properly.
When it comes to planters, it’s also important to consider how frequently you will water them. When you water your plants more frequently, you’ll need a bigger container to allow the plant to absorb all of the moisture. You’ll also need a large container to prevent the water from pooling at the bottom of the planter which can lead to root rot and other problems.
You can also add liners to your planters for added drainage. These can be especially helpful when you are using a decorative container without drainage holes. Liners can be cut to the exact size of your planter and they can be used as a filter to ensure that the roots stay surrounded by the optimum amount of water.
Indoor Plants
The right houseplants and pots can serve as a beautiful accent to any interior space, infusing color, texture and ambiance. Plants can also be a hardworking accessory, adding to the health of indoor spaces while filtering pollutants and absorbing excess moisture. A properly sized plant pot is essential to ensuring your houseplants thrive and look their best.
While style is a major consideration when choosing the perfect pot, size and material are important factors as well. Choosing a container that is too large may make it difficult for your plants to absorb nutrients, especially if it holds too much water. In contrast, choosing a container that is too small can cause the soil to dry out quickly, which is dangerous for some plants like cacti and succulents.
When repotting your indoor plants, it’s important to increase the size of your container gradually. When you put smaller plants into drastically larger pots, there’s a higher ratio of soil to roots, which can lead to root rot. It’s also challenging for the plants to adjust to new container sizes, which can slow down their growth and cause them stress.
To determine if a plant needs to be repotted, gently remove it from its current container and assess the roots. If the roots fill out the pot and are forming a neat circle in the bottom, it’s time to go up a size. If the roots barely fill the container and are growing out of the drainage holes, it’s time to downsize.
When repotting your indoor plants, choose a pot that is about 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one. This will allow the roots to expand without overwhelming the new container. In addition, you should use a high-strength planter that will protect your roots and prevent the containers from cracking or breaking as the plants grow. A good quality planter is an investment that will help your plants thrive for years to come.
Outdoor Plants
For outdoor plants, it’s just as important to match plant pot size to the plant’s needs as it is for indoor pots. Some plants require large containers to thrive, while others do just fine in a smaller pot. If a plant isn’t in the right size pot, it may be stunted or even die. To determine the correct pot size for a particular plant, you should look for signs that it’s time to repot. Whether it’s roots poking out of drainage holes or the plant becoming top-heavy, the correct pot size is essential to a healthy plant.
There are also a few other factors to consider when choosing the best container for your plant. You’ll want to ensure that the pot has a few drainage holes and is made of a durable material. You’ll also want to choose a color that matches your landscape design plans. Darker colors tend to absorb more heat, while lighter colored ones reflect sun and help keep soil moist.
When choosing the right planter for your garden or container, it’s also important to think about the thickness of the pot. Thicker pots are more insulating, which helps prevent sudden changes in temperature that can damage your plants. If you’re using a metal planter, consider adding an insulating layer inside the container.
A good rule of thumb for choosing a planter and pot size is to measure the current height and width of the plant. Then, select a pot that is one-third the size of that measurement. This will give the plant plenty of room to grow while still leaving enough space for the roots to move freely.
If you’re unsure of the proper pot size for a particular plant, try gently removing it from its current container and taking a look at the roots. If the root system looks full and healthy, it’s likely that the plant is in the optimum pot size.
Once you’ve chosen the optimum pot size for your plants, be sure to repot them every 12 to 18 months to maintain optimal growth. When repotting, be sure to follow the directions on your specific plant and make adjustments based on the amount of light, water and nutrition the plant requires. With the proper care and attention, your outdoor planters and gardens will flourish all season long!
