Growing Plants in Large Pots
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Tatiana H.
Posted on: October 15, 2008

I have been growing herbs from Richters for about 4 years now, I have a good variety of them and am very happy with my herbs. I live in Miami, Florida, USA and the weather for the most part is good but very hot, of- course, for the plants. My herbs are in plastic pots and for the most part they do ok but in the summer it rains a lot here and I have heard that these kinds of pots don’t dry as well as ceramic ones, is that true? Sometimes I do have to bring them under my patio when it rains too much. Would they last longer in ceramic pots?

Clay pots would be better, but only if you water frequently, because clay pots evaporate water through the pot walls and that cools the interior of the pot. Cooler roots mean happier plants. Ceramic has a glaze on it and that prevents evaporation through the sides of the pot just as much as in plastic pots. The only advantage over plastic pots is that the pot walls are thicker and heavier and so the pots don’t blow over as easily. The heat does not get through thicker pots as quickly, but the time of comfort gained for the roots is minimal! Then they also stay warm longer when the sun goes down, so no gain there!

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