How to choose the best pot size for your plants
If you have plants, then you know that at a certain period you need to change pots. The root system grows, your plant gets older and the old pot is no longer suitable for its healthy and comfortable growth. Even if you have modern self-watering pots for indoor plants, they also need to be changed due to the growth of the root system. Let’s find out how to replace pots and how to choose the right size. There are several simple points that will simplify the selection process.
3 simple points to choose the right size pot
It may seem to you that when choosing the right size of pots, the rule is that the larger the pot, the more comfortable your plant will grow there. But it’s not right. You can’t plant a small cactus in a huge container and expect it to grow and bloom healthy. It sounds strange, but many plants still prefer to grow in small planters. For example, some flowering plants may stop blooming if the pot is too large. Let’s find out how to make the right choice.
- Assess your plant visually. There are large plants with spreading leaves, they need large pots. Cacti and succulents are most often small and do not need huge boxes.
- Decide where the pot with the plant will be placed. Do you plan to place it on the floor or will the pot of the plant be placed on a window or table. Perhaps you are changing potted plants on the balcony or hanging types.
- What size pot does your plant currently have and how fast the plant’s roots are growing. Experts recommend choosing a new pot that is 3 or 5 cm larger in diameter. Many pots in the store have pictures that will help you understand what size a particular model is.
There is also advice where the height of the new pot should be selected based on proportionality: at least ⅓ of the total height of the plant in the old pot. It is important to consider that the diameter of the pot must correspond to the diameter of the plant crown. Even if you use exclusive self-watering pots, you need to change them sometimes because the plant’s roots grow and increase in size. Look at the diameter of the inner pot, not the outer one.
Other points to consider
Remember that you don’t need to change the pot very often. Young plants are transplanted into another pot once a year, older plants – once every 2-3 years. During this time, you will find the perfect designs and the right sizes to make your plants comfortable and your home more beautiful. You can also freshen up the design of outdoor pots because plants in the garden also need more space to grow.