Im new to actually trying to take care of a variety of houseplants and im confused about pots and how to use them effectively. I always just assumed I could put soil directly into any pot but now ive been told conflicting information. So now im just not sure how to go about it.
Pictures are of the pot on the inside and the pretty design on the outside. I have 2 of these, just different sizes
by thisisjesso
39 Comments
In the houseplant community I’d say this is a cover pot! Still usable you would just put your plant in a nursery pot— this just refers to those plastic pots with a lot of drainage! Then you’d put that inside. Does that make sense? The objective is to have well draining soil to help your plants thrive, this one hole in a ceramic container would probably not drain well on its own.
Edit— think of it like an outer layer for your plants, the pretty pot on the outside, the kinda uglier but practical pot inside!
If you add a very well draining medium at the bottom (think like pebbles and something you use for cactus and succulents) then soil on top, that will drastically help drainage. Eventually you’ll need to repot and reset the bottom due to soil clogging the medium below but over all as long as that hole is not obstructed you should be fine.
There is a hole so you could indeed plant directly into it, but it is quite small so you’d want to go with a chunkier medium or have a bit of a false bottom so that water can drain away from soil and fine dirt won’t clog it up as easily.
Keeping the plant in a nursery pot and putting it inside does make it way easier to repot the plant in the future though
just put soil directly in the pot, it’ll be fine. just make sure the drainage is good so your baby plants can thrive.
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Do yourself a favor and ALWAYS use these as cover pots. No matter if they have a hole. Trust me.
There is drainage, so yes, you can pot up directly in this pot.
I started by doing that but quickly switched to using transparent plastic pot and use those as a cover pot only. Transparent pot are so handy to see if soil is moist, if roots are healthy, and if it’s time for a repot.
I toss a coffee filter or two in the bottom. Never had issues personally.
I don’t really get the recent zeitgeist move where people are panicking about a pot like this.
It will be fine. You can absolutely plant directly into this pot. Nursery pots *can* be helpful but aren’t necessary and also add another layer of moisture retention that isn’t necessarily beneficial.
Do what you want but planting directly into a planter is absolutely fine. There is no issue with this pot. Water will make its way out of the bottom. We’ve swung too far on the drainage issue.
Remember you might have to re-pot the plant and that’ll be hard to do.
I’d plant directly into it.
Sure you can. Just put some stones on the bottom to add a layer of drainage.
If you put soil directly into that pot, make sure you don’t leave it on a surface that can be damaged by water. The unglazed bottom will wick a little moisture from the soil, creating a slightly damp, potentially dark area with limited airflow. Using a plastic liner inside would decrease the risk if you were to want to place it on a wood surface without some sort of saucer underneath.
I always seal the small inadequate holes in these pots with gorilla glue and then use a nursery pot inside.
I don’t want to use a saucer, and the single small hole will drain too slowly.
Some plant people that have lots of experience with plant will tell you that pods with Glazing Could be not great for some plant.
The main reason is because the pod doesn’t really sweat, it keeps the moisture and can cause lots of root rooting.
Obviously it depends the plant and how frequently you water them, but if you’re new to plants and don’t yet learn how to I could advice to use a “nursery pod” inside. You can still keep the beautiful pod, but take it safe first
I’ve only planted a handful of my plants directly into clay pots and I’ve regretted each one. Using a plastic pot (preferably clear) is just so much easier.
Easier to water because you can pull the lighter plastic pot out.
Easier to prevent rot because there’s better drainage.
Easier to see what’s going on with the roots.
Definitely easier when it comes to repotting.
If there’s drainage holes I plant directly into the pot. None of my plants have ever complained.
Direct soil is fine. Put a square of window screen over the hole to keep soil from washing out.
If it’s a nice pot like that on the outside and it’s not glazed on the inside, I would not pot inside of it with soil . Water leashes out minerals will build up and make the pot ugly. Nest it with a nursery pot.
You can plant directly in it but more and more I prefer using most of my plant pots as cachepots, whether there’s a hole or not. I feel like the pots stay in better condition and I can switch plants out easily.
My one exception is for terracotta pots. Some plants like their soil to dry out well and terracotta is breathable and good for that. I also feel like terracotta pots look better and better as they age.
Most pots with drainage holes can just put soil directly in, it is kind of just a trend to put them in plastic containers.
If you have many plants and pots, it makes it a lot easier transplanting. Additionally I think the drainage is better, but I do not know the science behind that as some people say you need soil all the way to the bottom to avoid a perched water table; I believe the plastic in ceramic avoids this a bit because it is still technically soil all the way down with the tiny gap for water to flow for the drainage hole as opposed to plugging a larger medium live gravel over the drainage hole.
I always use an insert pot, easier to lift out, see if roots are growing out, see if it feels too heavy or light, can swap around plants if they get too tall and cover pot feels tippy etc.
You can absolutely plant directly in it but it’s much easier to repot things with a nursery pot. It’s all about your own preferences.
Did you get this from HomeSense or Winners?
Not a fan of directly planting in terracotta for indoor use
Having your plant in a plastic pot and using this as a decorative cover will make it easier for you to care properly for your plant.
Since the cover pot has a drainage hole you need to place it in a plant saucer. Make sure you get a glazed one (or the water will which through it).
i would definitely put a good 1-2 inch layer of rocks on the bottom before putting soil in as soil tends to settle into the drainage holes which makes it difficult for excess water to drain. and just make sure the plant you’re putting in there does well with ceramic pots! each plant is different 🙂
Id say use as a cover pot. I dont like us8ng Ungraded since the roots tend to attach to the inside and its harder to get the plant out for repotting
This is a gorgeous pot. The unglazed bottom is porous. Use it by itself!
I put coffee filters in the bottom
I prefer to put plastic in my ceramic because a rootbound plant in ceramic can be a headache if the pot has a lip lol. This one doesn’t (and most importantly has drainage), so it’s up to you
personally i like to switch my pots around so i do a nursey pot so i can move them AND see their roots. i also bottom water so it makes it a lot easier for me.
I’d use a nursery pot. That hole probably isn’t enough, just to be safe. I prefer clear pots so I can watch the soil and roots for problems.
Because this pot has a terra cotta interior, it will hold moisture longer so, depending on the plant, put a small layer of stones in the bottom then fill with potting soil which will drain well while the pot holds some of the moisture in. Be sure to put it on a pot tray for drainage. Whatever you do, learn what your plant needs before potting it. Do the roots typically grow down or out? That will dictate if you want to use a deep pot or a wide pot! If the plant came with a little tag in the pot, read it so you know if it needs a lot of water or a little water or what kind of light it needs. A lot of growing houseplants and gardens, for that matter is trial and error but keep at it and don’t give up. Just try to learn from experience. Good luck and happy gardening.
Clear plastic pots are a game changer. You can easily see when it needs to be watered and they allow better airflow.
That hole looks too small to me. I think there is risk of poor drainage.
You can get a diamond drill bit. I always drill 4 holes in a square shape around the middle circle
What I usually do is put a layer of lava rock in the bottom for drainage then fill with a medium or substrate that is suitable for the desired plant. I use a mixture of coco fiber, orchid bark, perlite and soil which works well for most house plants.