How Do You Choose the Right Size Pot for Your Houseplant?

Houseplant pots come in all shapes and sizes

Container gardening begins with the choice of container, one of the most important steps toward growing healthy plants, indoors or out. Several factors determine what you'll ultimately use. Plastic containers hold moisture better than porous terra cotta pots. Shallow containers are more appropriate for shallow-rooting plants like African violets, while tall pots are better for deep rooting plants like tomatoes. Because the range of plants that can be grown in containers is so vast, the size of the pot is also an important consideration.

Instructions

1. Get familiar with the root system of the plant you want to grow. This will determine the depth of your pot. A ficus tree, for instance, will need a pot at least 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide to give the roots sufficient room to grow and support the plant. An African violet needs a shallow pot, just a few inches deep, because its root system is very small.

2. Calculate the size of your plant when it's mature and its rate of growth. A potted palm or a jade plant may do well in the same sized pot for 3 to 5 years before it needs a larger container. Move up in size by 2-inch diameter increments. Start ficus and fig trees in large pots to encourage roots to spread. The healthier the root system, the more branching and foliage density you'll get.

3. Identify the blooming requirements of tuberous or bulb plants when determining the size of the pot. Many varieties, like clivia, amaryllis, orchids and begonias will not bloom well unless they are pot bound. In other words, their roots need to be coiled and compressed in a small space in order to flower well.

4. Familiarize yourself with the watering requirements of your plant because this will help determine the depth of the pot. Cacti, for instance, do best in shallow, smaller pots. Less soil means less water is held near the roots. Conversely, a shefflera needs quite a bit of moisture. A deep, wide pot will hold more soil and retain water for a longer time.

Tips & Warnings

• Always clean old pots thoroughly with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts hot water before reusing, to prevent mold, bacteria or fungus from growing on their surfaces.

References

• Smithsonian Institution: Indoor Tropicals Fact Sheet
• Success with Seed: How to Grow Great House Plants
• Ohio State University: Houseplants

Resources

• West Virginia University: Container Gardening
• University of Connecticut: Watering Houseplants