How to Choose Terracotta Planters for A Terrace Garden

How to Choose Terracotta Planters for A Terrace Garden

We all dream of an abode with a small garden in it where we can fulfill our gardening instincts and see our plants blossom, bringing life to our sweet dwelling. And what better can be than a terrace garden with an array of varied plants embellishing your home and taking you one step closer to Mother Nature!

When it comes to choosing the ideal pots for your plants, we often have a bleak idea about which type of pots to opt for? The healthy life of your dear plants and your terrace garden must choose the right pots based on the plants you wish to grow. We can find different types of post such as clay pots, ceramic pots, plastic, and even terracotta pots to plant your dreams and add a timeless beauty to your terrace garden.

What exactly are terracotta pots?

People often get confused between clay pots and terracotta pots. Both are quite different, though they seem similar in appearance. Both terracotta and clay pots offer an earthy and rustic look to your garden. However, both have different characteristics and inherent traits.

‘Terracotta’ has been derived from an Italian word meaning ‘baked earth’. Terracotta is actually the baked version of raw clay. It is a form of clay that is fired using a kiln to form a porous product well suited for pots and other items. In fact, with time, terracotta pots have become very popular among gardening enthusiasts. Terracotta pots are best suited for those plants that thrive well if their soil dries up before the next watering session.

Here are some advantages of using terracotta pots for your plants…

  • As terracotta pots are porous in nature, they grant excellent breathability to your plants. This characteristic also helps in releasing excess water, preventing sagging of the soil. 
  • Terracotta pots are best suited for plants that grow in well-drained soil.
  • As terracotta pots are light in weight (especially in comparison to clay pots), they can easily be moved from one place to another.
  • Terracotta is an eco-friendly option, something that we should be proud of.
  • The rustic look of terracotta pots and planters add timeless beauty to your garden. In fact, you can easily paint and decorate your pots to elevate your space
  • Terracotta plants offer more air circulation reducing the chances of heat stress in your plants.
  • Terracotta pots are best suited for plants like cacti, succulents, herbs, hoyas, orchids, and so on.

However, while choosing terracotta planters for your terrace, you need to be careful, because they come with certain disadvantages too!

  • Terracotta planters are not suited for hotter regions, as plants can suffer heat and dryness due to the innate nature of the terracotta.
  • Similarly, they don’t thrive well in extremely cold regions, due to their tendency to crack or break.

On the whole, though terracotta plants are well suited for plants that require less water, they don’t come in handy in extreme climates.

How to choose terracotta planters for a terrace garden?

It is a good practice to go for pots with a hole at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. Also, keep saucers under your terracotta planters. This will help in decreasing the rate of evaporation and keeping the soil more moist.

To choose the right terracotta planters, you need to consider the following questions…

  • How big is your terrace garden and how many pots do you like to place?
  • What kind of plants do you wish to grow in your garden? How big do they grow and how much water do they require?
  • What is the weather condition in the place where you stay?
  • What kind of soil is available in your area?
  • How much sunlight does your plants receive?
  • Do you live in places which are hot and humid or do you live in places with extreme climatic conditions?

There are various types of terracotta pots available in the market. Always go for high quality pots so that they do not crack or break easily and are porous enough to maintain the health and growth of your beloved plants. Though Italian terracotta planters are considered the best, you may not always find them. 

One can find terracotta pots in different shapes as well as sizes in the market. It is believed that if you cover the hole of the pot with your thumb and softly tap the corners of the pot with a metal tool, a melodious vibrating sound means it is a good quality terracotta plant on the other hand if the sound is dull and jarring to the senses, it is of an inferior quality.

So, these are some useful tips for choosing terracotta planters for your terrace garden! Keep on honing your gardening skills and make the most of different terracotta planters to embellish your lovely home! Find high-quality terracotta planters online at vaaree.com where you are surely spoilt for choices!

https://vaaree.com/collections/pots-planters/products/pastel-mimic-planters-set-of-three

If you are considering buying home décor items for your sweet dwelling, look no further! Visit us at vaaree.com and browse through an array of gorgeous showpieces, elegant flower vases, and ‘n’ number of other home embellishments at very reasonable prices, especially curated from top manufacturers from all over the country. ‘

FAQs:

1. Which plants prefer terracotta pots?

Plants that prefer terracotta pots are orchids, cacti, hoyas, succulents, passion flower, camellias, peperomias, philodendrons and more.

2. Are terracotta pots good for outdoor?

With a few exceptions, terracotta pots are quite good for outdoors. Just make sure it’s not too cold outside, to avoid cracking the pots.

3. What is the difference between terracotta and clay planters?

Clay planters are made up of raw material, however terracotta planters are made up of baked or fired clay. Both have their own pros and cons and are suited to specific plants. Terracotta are contemporary counterparts of clay pots.

4. How do you choose the ideal plant pots?

You can choose the ideal plant pots based on a number of factors such as the type of plants you have, their water requirements, the weather conditions in your area and the space available with you.

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