How to Pick the Best Garden Pots for Landscaping

Plants grow in a vast variety of pots but you need to know which materials are really great for your garden. The following guide will show you the pros and cons of various materials used for the best garden pots for landscaping.

The Pros and Cons of Terracotta

Terracotta is a beautiful, natural material often used for garden containers. Its main advantages are:

1. Terracotta can be modeled in various shapes and sizes making for great looking plant containers
2. It has natural earthy hues that complement well any garden
3. It is a reasonably-priced material
4. The material is porous, allowing for great air and water circulation
5. With time, the natural colour changes slightly, making the best garden pots for landscaping even more aesthetically pleasing

Even with so many great advantages, terracotta has its fair share of disadvantages, as well:

1. The porous material is also a disadvantage, because it makes the pots prone to breakage
2. The great air circulation also causes the soil inside the pots to dry quickly, which means that regular watering is required
3. The larger a pot made of terracotta, the heavier it is; which can be an important obstacle in handling them with ease

The Pros and Cons of Wood

Wood is an organic material that creates a natural environment for plants to grow in. Here are its most important advantages:

1. Many types of wood are very durable and they can withstand various weather conditions
2. Wood is considerably lighter than terracotta, which makes larger containers more convenient to purchase and use
3. This material is known to provide great insulation for plants, especially for their roots in bad weather
4. Wood retains water, which makes watering an easy task
5. Rustic gardens benefit greatly from the natural, beautiful appearance of wood

This organic material has some drawbacks, too:

1. Moisture accumulation at the bottom can make the wood rot
2.  Some manufacturers treat wood with chemical preservatives, which can affect the growth of plants; make sure you check with the seller about the condition of the wooden garden pots you intend to purchase

The Pros and Cons of Glazed Clay

Glazed clay is preferred by many gardeners because it is a very beautiful material, with many advantages, as follows:

1. Glazed clay can be coloured, which makes for a nice change in the usual green routine of many gardens
2. This material is less porous than terracotta, and thus, provides better insulation for the plants, protecting them from cold and excessive heat
3. Glazed clay also retains water better, so you will not have to water your plants too often
4. The material is ideal for contemporary, modern designs

Pots made of glazed clay can have some cons as well:

1. Expect to pay more money for glazed clay pots compared to terracotta pots
2. The material is quite heavy, so larger pots weigh a lot
3. Chipping is a problem, especially on dark coloured pots, so they need to be manipulated carefully
4. Breakage is also an issue

Which of these are the best garden pots for landscaping for you? Please feel free to share your thoughts below.