Succulents are stunning and everybody knows that! However, I donât feel like the pots for succulents receive the attention they deserve too. I mean, have you guys seen how many options there are?
In this article, I decided to pay a lot of attention to both succulent pots and the criteria you should keep in mind when choosing the best planter for your succulent. (Yes, there will be a lot of images showing you pots for cacti and succulents that we absolutely love!)
Shall we get started then?
What to look for when choosing the best succulent pots
Here are 6 criteria I keep in mind when choosing pots for my succulents and cacti. I also added a few planters suggestions, just in case you need inspiration or missed some of them while doing your research.
1. Drainage
Drainage is important when it comes to growing healthy succulents, as they donât require a lot of water and are susceptible to root rot. That means your future succulent pots should have a drainage hole, especially if you are at the start of your indoor gardening journey.
However, if you are an experienced gardener (you are probably not reading this article because you already know what to do), you can also choose a planter with no drainage holes. All you have to do is make sure that your succulents receive the perfect amount of water and are not sitting in wet soil.
2. Material
When it comes to succulent pots materials, there are plenty of options. While ceramic and terracotta pots are recommended because they come with a higher level of breathability, I canât actually say that they are the best option for you or your succulents. On the contrary, it simply depends on your taste, style, and budget. Below youâll find the pros and cons of all these materials, so letâs get started!
Âť Ceramic
As mentioned above, ceramic is a breathable material and thatâs good for your succulents because it will encourage water drainage and air circulation.
However, ceramic pots are fragile, so if your cat is known for messing with your plants, this might not be the best option.
Also, once you add the soil and plant, your pot will become a little bit heavier. I donât think this is an issue when we talk about small pots, but a huge one, filled with soil, might give you back issues and annoy you when youâll have to transplant your succulents.
8 x Ceramic Succulent Pots with Bamboo Tray
6 x Ceramic Succulent Pots with Bamboo Tray
4 x Ceramic Succulent Pots (without drainage holes)
Âť Terracotta
Terracotta is also a breathable material, so your succulents will thank you for the occasion to enjoy such luxury. However, just like the ceramic ones, they are fragile and heavy, especially when we are talking about large pots.
Another issue here is the fact that they tend to be on the pricier side, but if thatâs not an issue for you⌠well, good for you (and your succulents)!
8 x Terracotta Succulent Pots (without saucers)
2 x Modern Succulent Pots (without drainage holes)
10 x Terracotta Succulent Pots with Saucers
Âť Plastic
Pots made of plastic are another popular option. They are not as heavy and fragile as terracotta and ceramic pots, so thatâs a plus. However, the material is not breathable, so it will take longer until the water evaporates from the soil.
Even so, if youâre careful when it comes to watering your succulent, this shouldnât be an issue at all.
7 x Modern Plastic Pots with Drainage Hole
8 x Colorful Plastic Pots for Small Succulents
6 x Indoor Planters with Drainage Hole
Âť Glass
I feel like pots made of glass are one of the fanciest options, since they look a bit more elegant and creative (but thatâs just my opinion). Glass has a few downsides because itâs not a breathable material, itâs quite fragile, and dust seems to love it.
However, if you are into DIY, you can easily repurpose your glass bottles or containers into a stunning succulent pot. Just donât forget to add drainage holes at the bottom of your new DIY pots.
2 x Bowl Glass Planter
1 x Geometric Planter
1 x Bowl Glass Planter
Âť Metal
Metal pots tend to heat up a bit too much and they can also become rusty, which is not necessarily good for your succulents. If thatâs the only option at hand, Iâve got nothing against it.
However, if you notice that your pot is rusting or your succulent is not doing too great, choosing a pot made from another material might be best.
Âť Wood
Planters made of wood have a druid-like appeal. They are usually fit for succulents planted outdoors and sit in full sun since wood retains water, so if you place it in a shadier spot, it will keep the soil wet for too long and your succulents wonât like that.
Wood can also rot easily, but there are some options like redwood and cedar that can naturally resist rot and bug infestations.
So, if you are into DIY and want to level up your outdoor design game, a wood planter sounds like an interesting project.
3. Size
When it comes to houseplants, size matters. The golden rule here is to get a pot that is slightly bigger than your succulent – about 0.5 to 1 inches of space between your succulentâs leaves and potâs edges should suffice.
If the pot is too big, your succulent will have a hard time catching up to the root system development, so that will slow down the growing process. On the other hand, if your succulentâs pot is too small, the roots wonât be able to spread, so thatâs not the best option either.
However, if youâre planning on creating a succulent arrangement, a larger pot should do the trick, but make sure to leave a bit of space between your plants, so theyâll have some room to grow.
4. Design
This criterion is based on your personal style and preferences, so thereâs no right or wrong. If you want a certain pot, then get it.
However, you should keep in mind that certain colors and shapes work better together, so you can try to match your succulents with the pot or even go for a nice contrast. As long as youâre happy with the result, nothing else matters (except the drainage holes).
1 x Creative Umbrella Succulent Planter
1 x Female Head Shaped Succulent Planter
2 x Cartoon Dog Succulent Planter
Conclusion
There you have it, our guide on how to choose the best pots for your succulents and a lot of recommendations.
In a nutshell, everything works for your succulent, as long as you are offering it the proper growing conditions. Avoid excessive watering and you should be just fine!
If thereâs something we missed or youâve got questions about picking your succulent pot, donât hesitate to reach out to us!
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