Does size really matter?
Yes, size does matter. The size of the pot will depend on how big a houseplant is or how fast it can grow for a given amount of time.
Some indoor plants don’t even grow, height-wise. Plants like succulents don’t grow that tall so they will always fit on work desks or shelves.
There are houseplants, on the other hand, that grow with extensive roots, so they’ll need a much bigger pot.
If you’re currently in the repotting stage and you’re on the hunt for a new pot, the first thing that you must consider is size.
5 Standard Pot Sizes for Repotting
When buying new pots, the general rule of thumb is to pick the ones that are an inch wider than the root mass of your plant.
If you own a plant that grows faster than normal, buying a pot that is four inches wider is a safe bet.
If you’re just a rookie in the game, there are standard sizes that you can use for your first repotting sesh.
9-centimetre pots
- 9cm in pot diameter
- Also called P9 pots
- The smallest size available in most nurseries and local gardening shops
- Best for small indoor plants like succulents and other shrubs
2-Litre pots
- 17cm in pot diameter
- Perfect for amenity plants that are normally used for landscaping
- Plants like lavender, gardenia, and dianella will grow steadily in this pot size
3-Litre pots
- A bit larger than the 2L pot
- With 19cm pot diameter
- Also perfect landscaping plants
5-Litre pots
- Has 22.5cm pot diameter
- Ideal for houseplants with bigger root mass
10-Litre pots
- 28cm in pot diameter
- More suitable for an advanced home gardener
- The most common pot for “specimen plants” that’s been growing for over a year or two
These are only some of the standard sizes of plant pots. Choose the right pot according to the size of the plant you are currently nursing.
With that out of the way, let’s now move on to the different pot materials that you can choose from.
4 Different Plant Pot Materials for Repotting
While there are many types of pots that you can use for your little garden, there are four major ones that you can use for your repotting sesh.
Go to a nursery house or a local shop that offers daily flowers Melbourne free delivery and there’s a good chance that you’ll find these four types all at once.
There’s no great difference between plastic, ceramic, terracotta pots, and hanging baskets. Aside from aesthetics and affordability. But it can be good to try them all to see what works for you.
Plastic Pots
They’re simply the most common and popular among first-time plant parents. It’s way cheaper compared to other types, which is a better choice especially if you’re just testing out the waters and you don’t want to spend too much money right away.
They’re also lightweight so you can easily buy them in bulk. The best thing about it is that they come in different sizes and colours, plus, you can buy them almost anywhere!
Terracotta Pots
If you are currently nursing a succulent, repotting with terracotta or red clay pots is a great choice.
Indoor plants like succulents are drought-tolerant so they’ll need porous pots.
Red clay pots prevent over-watering as they absorb more water from the soil compared to other types. Once absorbed, the water dries out naturally.
Ceramic Pots
If you want your indoors to look more elegant-looking, using glazed ceramic pots is the best way to go. These shiny and chic pots can make your little zen garden instagrammable.
The downsides are, they’re heavy so you might have a hard time moving things around especially if you’re buying the 10 or 20-Litre ones.
Another thing is that they come with a hefty price tag so you might have to save up for these kinds of pot.
But if budget is not the problem, we highly recommend it!
Hanging Baskets
In a traditional sense, hanging baskets are not in the same category as plant pots. But because of their aesthetic and functional qualities, they’ve become a trend in the plant parenting world.
If you want to give your room a breath of fresh air, hanging baskets are a great choice.
You can hang them near the window and be sure not to put anything below it.