| Majority of the gardeners have their preferences | | | | they are easy to break. |
| when it comes to the choice of plastic or clay | | | | On the other hand, the plastic plants pots are |
| pots for plants. Probably it is because of the | | | | flexible, strong and lightweight. They come in |
| advantages as well disadvantages of both these | | | | various colors so as to coordinate with the |
| types. The unglazed clay (terra-cotta) pots are | | | | exterior and interior décor. Unlike the clay pots, |
| made up of specific soil, which are then fired in | | | | plastic pots do not have wicking action, which |
| kilns on the manufacturing process. The color of | | | | make them an ideal choice for gardeners who |
| clay, which is rusty brown, is harmonious with the | | | | infrequently water their plants or for those |
| foliage and flower colors. | | | | moisture-loving plants. |
| Clay pots give the plants a healthy environment. | | | | Pots made of plastic are composed of inert |
| The clay porosity allows the moisture and air to | | | | materials and they are considered ideal pots for |
| penetrate sides of the pot. This air and moisture | | | | growing plants. Majority of these pots are made |
| is utilized through the fine roots situated at the soil | | | | up of a recycle plastic, thus disposal, when the |
| ball's edge. Moreover, the clay pots act like a | | | | pot is not longer usable, is an environmentally |
| wick, which removes the excess moisture from | | | | friendly. Generally, plastic pots have thinner walls |
| the watering habits. Gardeners who have a heavy | | | | compared to the clay pots, which offer roots little |
| hand at watering plants may over-water; maybe | | | | insulation from the change of temperature. Black |
| their plants will benefit from the clay. Some | | | | plastic can serve as a solar collector, which heats |
| gardeners waiting for the wilting signal from plants | | | | up the potting medium to the damaging levels of |
| are better with plastic. Clay pots are also | | | | the plants. |
| preferred by plants that demand a dry and | | | | If the plants in the dark-colored plastic pots |
| well-drained soil such as cacti. | | | | quickly wilt, then check to ensure that the plants |
| Using clay pots outdoors has also advantages. | | | | are getting sufficient water, and then move them |
| Pots made of clay have thick walls, which protect | | | | to a shady place where build-up of heat is not a |
| the roots of the plants from the quick changes in | | | | problem. Lots of plastic pots meant for outdoor |
| the temperature, which has the capability to | | | | use are handled with inhibitors of ultraviolet light to |
| destroy plants. They have also good amount of | | | | maintain flexibility as well as to reduce fading, thus |
| weight, which make them not easy to blow over. | | | | increasing the pot's lifespan. Just remember, |
| Clay may also form a crusty layer on the pots' | | | | whether it be clay or a plastic pot, make sure |
| outside part. Some gardeners may find the layer | | | | that the pot you choose has drainage holes |
| attractive but most may find it unattractive. An | | | | beneath to avoid over-watering. |
| ultimate disadvantage of the clay pots is that | | | | |