House Plant Pots and Containers

Your options for house plant pots and containers are wide. Just about any box, basket, pot or dish is a possibility for plants.

Whatever its size or shape, your container must have drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess water to escape.

If you want to use a decorative container that doesn't have drainage -- often called a cachepot -- you can slip a plastic container with holes inside the cachepot.

I use pebbles in the bottom of cachepots so that the plants are not sitting in water.

Choose a container that not only complements your decorating style, but suits your plant as well.

Does size matter? You bet. The container should be proportionate to the plant. Basically, you should choose the smallest container that will accommodate the roots of the plant. Moisture will be absorbed quickly in a small pot, preventing it from getting waterlogged. A too-large pot will retain too much water.

Plastic Pots

Plastic house plant pots are light-weight and low-cost, making them a popular choice for indoor gardeners.

They're time-savers, too. Since plastic pots are not porous like clay, soil will retain moisture longer and your plants will need watering less often. There is one hitch, though. Because air cannot circulate through plastic pots, you'll want to use a potting mix that drains well.

Many plastic pots have snap-on trays, which do a great job of catching water that drips from the bottom of the pots -- a must-have feature for hanging baskets.

Terra Cotta Pots

Simple terra cotta pots come in just about every size and depth. They're inexpensive and easy to find at garden centers and nurseries.

These clay pots also have drainage holes -- a must -- to prevent the plant from becoming waterlogged. Just be sure to slip a saucer under the pot to catch any drips that come through the bottom.

Another big advantage of terra cotta is that it's porous, allowing moisture to evaporate from the soil so that roots can get the oxygen they need. New terra cotta pots are so dry that they can steal water from the soil you put in them, leaving the plants thirsty. It's a good idea to soak the pots overnight before planting in them.

Be aware that a plant in a porous clay pot will need watered more frequently than one in a plastic or glazed container.

This type is ideal for house plants that don't like a lot of moisture in the soil, such as cacti and other succulents. In fact, I can't imagine planting a cactus in anything else.