Whether or not you’re rising succulents for the primary time or beginning a complete indoor backyard, selecting the best container on your succulents is crucial determination you may make.
With the wide selection of succulent varieties, shapes, and colours, container alternative might be the very last thing in your thoughts. However the pot you select impacts not solely the look of your succulents but in addition how properly they develop. Selecting the unsuitable container could make care far tougher and even result in the early loss of life of your crops should you’re not cautious.
Right here, we are going to break down every thing you want to think about when selecting a pot on your succulents that will help you make the right alternative for each you and your crops.
Supplies
The primary alternative you’ll have to make includes container supplies. With so many choices to select from, it may be difficult to determine which can fit your succulents greatest.
Aesthetics are usually not the one concern – your chosen supplies will impression succulent development and will change how you take care of them. These are among the hottest choices for succulent crops, every with its personal execs and cons.
Terracotta
Terracotta is without doubt one of the hottest selections and a private favourite. Every time I attain for brand new containers for nearly any plant in my indoor or outside backyard, I look to terracotta first for the general aesthetic and its advantages for my crops.
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These clay containers are breathable and porous, enhancing airflow across the roots and drawing away extra moisture from the soil. As a substitute of just one drainage gap on the backside that water can depart from, the fabric helps forestall waterlogging across the roots. That is particularly vital for succulent crops which can be far more delicate to root rot.
Past these advantages, I imagine they’re additionally one of many best-looking supplies. The clay matches the desert really feel of many succulent crops and makes inexperienced leaves immediately stand out. It additionally offers uniformity with out wanting boring or one-note.
Cons
These containers do include a couple of downsides, notably value. Additionally they crack simply when knocked over, so that they aren’t appropriate for high-traffic areas or interiors with rowdy pets. However should you solely have a couple of small succulents to pot up, terracotta is a superb choice.
Ceramic
Ceramic is another choice that tends to be widespread amongst succulent growers for its large number of design choices to match the plant you’re rising completely.
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I like to order bigger ceramic pots for succulent options, the place a number of species are mixed in a single container as a focus somewhat than for particular person crops. This highlights the artistic or inventive side of the container, too, somewhat than simply the crops themselves. Ceramic pots additionally drain rapidly and promote airflow for sturdy root well being.
Cons
Should you’re keen to handle the price, as ceramic tends to have a better price ticket than different choices, preserve these pots away from ledges and high-traffic areas the place they could be broken. Like terra cotta, ceramic pots are vulnerable to breaking and may even crack if temperatures dip too low.
Plastic
Plastic doesn’t have the best fame amongst gardeners. I’ve even sparked debate on-line by mentioning that I preserve most of my houseplants in plastic pots because of the prices of ornamental containers. With over 50 houseplants, new containers can take up a good portion of your funds.
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Plastic pots include many advantages that make them worthwhile whenever you’re rising many crops. Firstly, they’re low-cost and even free should you clear and reuse the containers crops are available out of your native nursery. Additionally they are available virtually any shade or design you may consider and may even be repainted to match your backyard and lengthen the container’s lifespan.
Cons
Plastic containers don’t drain in addition to supplies like terra cotta, which might develop into an issue for succulents. However should you select a pot with a couple of drainage holes, plant in the best soil combine, and guarantee extra moisture can movement freely out of the container, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Concrete
Whereas it might appear uncommon, concrete pots are rising in popularity because of their sturdiness.
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Concrete is one other porous materials that aids drainage, making it preferrred for succulents. It’s additionally extremely long-lasting, and you’ll even make your individual utilizing pot molds, constructing the right measurement and form for the succulents you select.
Cons
Should you purchase concrete pots out of your native nursery or on-line, they’ll value somewhat greater than another choices on this checklist. They’re additionally extremely heavy and troublesome to maneuver round, so I’d solely select these in case your container will keep in the identical place or if the succulents are sufficiently small for weight to not be an element.
Wooden
Anybody who spends an excessive amount of time on gardening Pinterest (I’m responsible of this!) will possible have seen viral pictures of succulents planted in picket containers or, extra popularly, within the gaps of ornamental driftwood.
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This pure materials is filled with aesthetic advantages and enhances succulents properly however might not final so long as another choices. There are methods to protect the wooden to increase its lifespan, however you’ll want to decide on sealers which can be secure for crops to make sure the chemical substances don’t negatively have an effect on development.
Cons
Planting in driftwood is especially troublesome. Gaps typically don’t maintain sufficient soil to maintain succulents alive for prolonged durations, and these assertion plantings are fairly troublesome to water. It really works as a short-term characteristic piece however performs poorly over time.
Glass
The primary succulent I bought a few years in the past was planted in a dangling glass container. It had a shallow layer of pebbles, a small quantity of soil, and a beautiful Echeveria within the heart. Those that have skilled rising succulents will in all probability guess what occurred subsequent – it died.
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Glass containers are fairly widespread in shops, particularly for succulents. They give the impression of being good, promote properly, and make nice last-minute items for plant lovers. Sadly, none of these elements contribute to the plant’s well being.
Cons
With out drainage holes, you’ll battle to maintain your succulents alive in glass containers long-term. You may add layers to cease additional moisture from reaching the soil or water very fastidiously, however discovering the best steadiness that stops root rot and stops micro organism from rising in stagnant water is troublesome.
It’s greatest to skip glass altogether or replant your succulents right into a extra appropriate container after they present indicators of battle.
Recycled Pots
If you’d like a singular container that saves your funds, you would all the time select objects from round your property or backyard and switch them into pots.
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This low-cost and enjoyable choice means that you can get artistic. I’ve seen many artistic gardeners flip outdated teapots or sneakers into succulent containers by drilling a couple of holes within the backside.
Have a look round your property (or that uncared for again nook of your storage) for any objects you might be not utilizing that might be changed into containers. You possibly can additionally stroll via your native thrift retailer for a couple of objects or inspiration.
Cons
This does include a couple of caveats. You should guarantee no matter materials you’re utilizing might be secure to plant in and you can drill drainage holes with out breaking the container. It should even be the best measurement and depth on your rising crops. However should you can meet these necessities, making your individual containers is all the time an thrilling journey.
Measurement
When you’ve selected supplies, you will need to select the best measurement container. Getting this step proper is essential to conserving your succulents joyful and wholesome.
Not Too Large
You could suppose a bigger container will promote faster development. However there’s a motive succulents are bought in such tight planters. Further soil within the container can maintain onto extra moisture in areas the place the roots don’t fairly attain, resulting in fungal development and doubtlessly root rot.
The additional area additionally encourages the roots to develop additional than wanted, pushing the plant to concentrate on root development somewhat than leaf and stem development. If development seems stunted after potting into a big container, the container itself would be the trigger.
Not Too Small
A pot that’s too small can even negatively impression development. Though succulents like to be confined to their containers and develop properly in tight areas, they are going to finally battle with out room to maneuver. Crowded containers additionally enhance your probabilities of issues with fungal ailments as a consequence of an absence of airflow.
The Excellent Measurement
I goal for round an inch of area between the succulent and the sting of the container. One other frequent rule is utilizing a pot round 10% bigger than the dimensions of the plant.
The identical applies whenever you’re planting a number of species in the identical container. Go away an inch or two of area between every plant to present them area to develop. The pot might look sparse initially, however the crops will rapidly develop to fill within the gaps.
Drainage
I as soon as had a brand new gardener ask me for assist relating to her new succulent backyard. She had planted a number of succulents in a wheelbarrow open air and couldn’t work out why that they had all died. My first query was – did the wheelbarrow have holes within the backside? I’m certain you may guess that the reply was no.
Drainage is crucial for all crops in containers, however particularly for succulent crops. They don’t like sitting in soggy and even moist soil and usually choose the dry, sandy situations of their native habitats. Every succulent is totally different, however all of them share the attribute of storing water of their leaves; they’re very delicate to root rot.
No matter container you select will need to have drainage holes within the backside in order for you your succulents to be joyful. There are methods to handle containers with out drainage holes, however as this comes with many dangers, it’s all the time higher to be secure and concentrate on drainage from the start.
How To Drill Drainage Holes In Containers
If the container you wish to plant in doesn’t include drainage holes, you may often create your individual, relying in your chosen materials. Some pots are extra vulnerable to cracking than others, so that you should be cautious when drilling. Comply with these steps to get it proper.
Step 1: Select the best drill bits
Common drill bits are usually not preferrred for making holes in ornamental containers, particularly if you wish to keep away from cracking. The quickest method to drill a drainage gap with restricted harm is by utilizing a diamond-tipped gap noticed bit. Don’t be afraid of the ‘diamond’ within the title – the bits are usually not too dear and are extremely helpful should you use them typically.
You can too attempt a glass and tile bit for ceramic pots, however these usually take longer to make use of are require extra care than the diamond-tipped bit.
Step 2: Mark holes and add water
Subsequent, flip the container the wrong way up and mark the middle of the pot. One gap is appropriate for smaller containers, or you may drill three holes equal distances aside for bigger containers. Use a marker to determine the spot and make drilling extra correct.
Whenever you’re able to drill, add a splash of water to the underside of the container to forestall overheating earlier than you begin.
Step 3: Begin gradual and at an angle
Diamond gap noticed bits can slide across the backside of the container with no level of reference to begin. To keep away from slipping, begin drilling slowly at a forty five° angle till a small notch has been made. It will present the grip the bit wants to remain in place, permitting you to drill additional down.
Step 4: Drill straight down
Lastly, transfer the drill over the container to drill straight down, creating a simple drainage gap within the base. Clear off any particles with water earlier than planting.
Design
Though aesthetics aren’t the one concern when selecting pots, they nonetheless play a job. In spite of everything, we would like our succulents to shine of their pots and never be introduced down by the look of a container.
Fortunately, the choices relating to design are virtually countless. Throughout the totally different supplies, there are numerous colours, patterns, and shapes to select from, permitting you to match the pot to your chosen plant and your backyard as a complete.
Muted tones all the time work properly with succulents, particularly these with a green-gray sheen. I like to make use of white pots for a clear and trendy look, however pure colours like beige and brown are on pattern and all the time work properly in gardens. Should you choose a pop of shade, go for vivid tones that distinction with the inexperienced with out overwhelming the plant.
You can too play with totally different shapes so long as the dimensions fits your chosen succulents. This can be a nice time to get artistic and craft your individual containers or look to native suppliers for one thing somewhat extra distinctive than a regular rounded container.
Finally, design is a private alternative. Select what matches your property and backyard and what stands out to you whereas conserving the well being of your succulents in thoughts.
Soil
Along with your good container curated, all there may be left to do is fill it. This step is simply as important as the selection of the container itself. Even with a super container, your succulents should battle should you’ve chosen the unsuitable soil.
The best method to preserve succulents joyful is to search for a specialised succulent and cacti potting combine. These mixes are formulated with the correct ratios of elements good for succulent crops. They’re designed to carry onto sufficient moisture to fulfill the roots whereas draining rapidly to forestall root rot.
People who choose to make their very own soil mixes can experiment with recipes so long as the soil drains properly and has a gritty texture. I like to begin with equal components potting combine and sand, including extra drainage or natural matter as mandatory.
Fill the container with a little bit of soil combine and add water to check how rapidly it can drain. If the drainage holes are blocked or if water swimming pools on the prime, add extra sand or perlite to enhance situations earlier than planting.
Remaining Ideas
With so many steps to contemplate, selecting the best container can appear complicated. However so long as you’ve thought of the necessities like drainage and soil, a lot of your alternative comes down to private style. Use the prospect to get artistic and design your preferrred succulent backyard characteristic.
