Being creative when choosing containers for your houseplants can add to the decor of a room.
Almost any container can be used for potting plants, as long as drainage holes are provided. Plant roots must have some oxygen in order to take up water and nutrients. The roots will suffocate if the soil surrounding them is thoroughly filled with water for extended periods. Once the roots start to rot, the top of the plant may wilt and appear as if additional water is needed. These symptoms can mislead the plant owner into applying more water, which just aggravates the problem.
A plant in an unglazed clay pot is less likely to suffer from too much water than a plant in a glass or plastic container, because water can move out and air can move into the soil through the clay. But even clay pots should have drainage holes in the bottom.
Unglazed clay containers do tend to accumulate unsightly salt residue as water evaporates from the surface. This residue is generally not harmful to the plants, unless it accumulates in the soil.
Plastic containers are generally lighter in weight and don’t tend to accumulate as much salt residue. However, plastic containers can be too light so that large plants easily tip over.
Decorative containers often do not allow excess water to drain away from plants. To use such a container, use the double-potting method. Pot your plant in a properly sized, unglazed clay pot with drainage holes, and then slip the pot into the decorative container. Discard the drainage after watering.
Take special care to select the correct-sized pot. A plant in a pot that is too small does not have room to grow and dries out quickly. One that is in an oversized pot may suffer from too much water and too little air.
To determine if a plant needs to be repotted, examine the root system by removing the plant from the container. If only a few roots are visible from the outside of the soil ball, the plant does not need repotting. If many roots are visible, it is time to repot. Use a pot the next size larger so that the soil will not stay too wet too long.