Let’s face it, succulents are a bit high maintenance. There are many dos and don’ts when it comes to the care and keeping of succulents, and it’s easy to overlook one of the most basic aspects of the succulent journey: the potting vessel. If the idea of selecting the right pot for your succulent seems obvious (or you’re of the belief that only your grandma buys clay pots), this is the perfect opportunity to get a refresher course. Here are a few reasons to choose clay pots for your succulents, along with tips for selecting the right one.
Key Takeaways
- Selecting clay pots for succulents ensures better drainage and prevents root rot due to their porosity.
- Clay pots have an alkaline pH that balances soil acidity and keeps temperatures cooler in hot climates.
- Though clay pots dry quickly, they’re brittle and can discolor over time, impacting their appearance.
- Proper care requires considering lighting, temperature, and soil along with the choice of pot.
- Choosing the right pot matters for succulents; clay pots help replicate their natural dry environments.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Disclosure: This article was partially written with the assistance of AI and humanly edited.
Pots are essential for growing succulents. This is because succulents are water-retaining plants that can be easily overwatered. When they retain too much water, they rot from the roots.
Humidity is another factor contributing to root rot in succulents. Water is stored in the tissues, so a regular potting mix won’t drain properly. Most soils you get from a garden center are nutrient-dense and contain a lot of organic matter. The organic matter retains too much water when you water it. Use cactus soil for planting your succulents.
Advantages of Clay Pots for Succulents
Clay pots, or terra cotta pots, are made from a specific soil and fired in kilns during manufacturing. They remain porous after firing, allowing a good deal of air to pass. Here’s why succulents thrive in clay pots over other materials:
- Better drainage: The clay’s porosity allows excess water to drain and prevents overwatering. Though the clay pot must have a drainage hole for watering. It also provides good air circulation for succulent plants, helping keep root rot at bay.
- pH: The clay’s alkaline pH balances the soil’s pH.
- Temperature: Alkaline soils tend to be cooler in hotter climates.
- Esthetics: The look and feel of the clay pot are somewhat ‘natural.’ Since clay is mud from the earth, you know. From simple to intricate designs, you can find any design on clay pots. Versatile: It can be used indoors and outdoors.
Definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/alkaline
Cons of Clay Pots for Succulents:
What are the disadvantages of clay pots for succulents? Nothing is perfect, not even the beautiful clay pot. Though, in this case, not that many! Some minor possible disadvantages could be:
- Fast Drying: A clay pot wants to pull moisture from the inside and even sometimes outside! This could be great if you have an overwatering problem, but it could also cause your clay pot to dry out quickly, leading you to water more when we’re trying to get everyone to water LESS!
- Brittle: A clay pot can be more brittle than other pots, so if you have a high-traffic area, plan to move the pots around, or live in a hard-freeze zone, clay pots can crack or chip more easily than a resin, plastic, or even a glazed pot.
- Discoloration: Water and air salts can discolor the exterior of a clay pot over time, leaving a neat, sometimes even an earthy, appearance. If you’re not going for this look, you can help combat this issue by pouring a mild vinegar-and-water dilution over the outside of the pot.
- Size/Weight: The functionality in the root zone of a clay pot far surpasses the additional couple of pounds, plus the not-so-detrimental or major quality/durability issues.
- Lighting, temperature, and proper soil: All of these are just as important for the proper health and care of your succulent. While clay may be the superior potting material for your succulent, it’s important to consider your environment and how well you water. There are endless styles and designs of clay pots! There are endless styles and designs of clay pots!
Final Words
So, does the type of pot you choose matter? Yes, it can matter to succulent plants, since clay pots are ideal for them. They are originally from hot, dry, desert-like climates and are not adapted to a more humid, wet, jungle-like environment. The open system allows excess moisture to escape as it dries out. The pot and soil will dry out, which is exactly what your succulent needs! Most have drainage holes, and if they don’t, you can always drill or poke one. Depending on the pot’s size, they’re toddler-friendly and come in a variety of colors/designs! Succulents also thrive in terracotta pipe pots, which are essentially the same principle as clay pots.
