Container Materials: An Overview
Choosing your container material is just as important as choosing the type of plant you will place inside it. Pots now come in different shapes, styles, sizes, colors, and now you can customize and produce your own unique container. The dilemma observed by many gardeners is what type of container to choose from the thousands of types and styles available. There are mainly five types of container materials available. Wood, Stone, Clay, Synthetic, and Metal. Check out the chart below and find out which material is right for you.
Metal
Advantages:
- Can be easily recycled.
- Numerous amounts of shapes, colors, and styles available.
- It is impervious to frost damage.
Disadvantages:
- These containers are prone to rusting.
- Can be easily scuffed and/or dented.
- Must drill drainage holes.
More about metal containers.
Stone
Advantages:
- Nonporous and allows soil to breathe.
- Well built and long lasting
- Unlike wood, plentiful amounts of designs are available.
Disadvantages:
- Strong but heavy. Transporting from one location to another is a daunting task.
- More expensive as compared to other materials.
More about stone containers.
Synthetic
Advantages:
- Durable and lightweight designs.
- No frost damage possible.
- Imitation stone, metal, and terracotta designs available at fraction of cost.
Disadvantages:
- Damage is usually permanent.
- Imitations amy look cheap.
More about synthetic containers.
Wood
Advantages:
- Very light and easy to work with.
- Resistant to frost damage.
- Can be re-painted easily whenever desired.
Disadvantages:
- Nature of wood only allows a few types of designs.
- Wood can decay if untreated.
- Softwood needs to be maintained constantly to prevent rotting.
More about wood containers.
Clay
Advantages:
- Material is porous & plant friendly.
- Unlimited color range.
- Terracotta pots provide stability because of their large mass. Perfect for top heavy plants
Disadvantages:
- Plants need to be watered frequently because it absorbs water from soil.
- Prone to frost damage.
- Easily breakable compared to other materials.
Faux Terracotta Planter
More about clay containers.