Definition: Terra-cotta is just a fancy word for a clay flower pot.
“Its an Italian word that means ‘baked earth’.” – Wikipedia
The other day a friend of mine who had just bought a pot by the roadside rang me and started whining about their plant.
She mentioned, that it had been just two months and her plant wasn’t looking too good. It was droopy, looked malnourished and weak.
Well, I asked her all the usual FAQ questions that come to mind, including where the plant was placed. She said of course she was careful from the onset to place it near a window – meaning it got sufficient light, and she watered her plant correctly. Faith even said she religiously followed all the care instructions she pulled straight from Google.
So what was the matter?
After, thinking for quite a bit (I had exhausted my FAQ list) I then asked her what type of planter/pot she had for her so precious plant, to which she told me.. wait for it… A plastic planter!
Well, therein lies the culprit. The plant had been sitting in a planter that was choking the life out of it.
So here are some tips I gave her. Thought it would make for a great post for anyone who is trying to wonder “what is the matter”; just like my pal, “clueless Faith”.
Here are 5 top advantages of buying and using terracotta containers. I especially love the ones from Chujio Ceramics as they are molded to near perfection and they have a variety of sizes. You can get them from here at an affordable rate.
Courtesy of Shop Nanjala
- They are porous
Made from earth and fired into baked clay, the porous nature of earth based medium allows air and water to pass through the walls of the pot. Im sure you know that plants are living organisms; similar to all animals, so they too need to breathe and breathe well. By planting in terracotta, you are not only mimicking their natural habitat (the earth) but you are also helping them have the needed nutrients they require.
- Even when fired and glazed, they still breathe
Ever watered a terracotta pot and seen how the pot naturally looks darker due to its wetness? Well, this is a proclamation that clay pots provide a healthy environment for most plants, the porosity of clay allows air and moisture. The glazed pot may impede the porosity, but normally not all parts of the pot are glazed so you will normally see that porosity may come from the unglazed edges or bottom of the pot.
Courtesy of Shop Nanjala
3. They are attractive in a classical way
Especially the unglazed version, terracottas rusty red colour is a harmonious colour with most flower and foliage colour. Also, terracotta has the tendency of forming a white crusty-chalk look giving it a an aged appeal; coupled with the moss – this look is so sort after, that ceramists abroad are actually artificially manufacturing white crusty pots using synthetic materials and selling them for huge amount of dough. See here some terracotta pots that do this from Terrain, one of our favourite gardening online shops. See, we aren’t bluffing.
Courtesy of Shop Nanjala
4. Plants can last a lifetime in them
Clay pots have thick walls, meaning they are naturally weighted and hence won’t blow over like plastic in windy areas. Besides, the dog or cat won’t find it easy to knock over your smart Christmas Cactus or geranium foliage. This thickness also protects the plants in rapid change of temperature which can be destructive to a plant.
Finally, you’ve seen Roman empire clay artefacts displayed in museums? They were moulded in the 117AD thats centuries ago… So surely, that’s enough evidence to qualify the lifetime life & after-life span!
- They are perfect for Cactii and Succulents
Those who’ve kept succulents before know how they don’t like sitting in very wet soil as the roots start to rot. Well, Terracotta is perfect for these plants that demand a well drained and dry soil. Just be sure that the pot comes with a hole at the bottom. This goes for every planter that has plants. No hole and your plants won’t make it to be teenagers, let alone adults 🙂
Courtesy of Shop Nanjala
We may take it for granted that one can just about use anything to plant their plants in, but I hope that this post will give you a ‘second eye’ when you are making considerations to purchase and keep a plant for a couple of years. Plastic, glass, wood, drift wood, stone are all great, however the reality is the chances of the plants lasting for years is indeed lessened.
However, what beat’s terracotta hands down is simply planting on the earth. Period.
Disclaimer: This article is wholly Shop Nanjala’s opinion and views regarding the choice of pot for plants. Do note that it may be debatable given that other gardeners or sellers of plants may have their own preferences and opinions of the same and may not echo those articulated in this blog.
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