How to Select the Right Pot for Succulents?

Succulents are resilient species of plants that originated in some of the driest parts of the planet. They have adapted to their nature in storing water in their fleshy stems, roots, and leaves. They have found a home in various households due to their attractive color, size, and shape. 

Pots designed especially for different types of succulents are becoming popular with garden enthusiasts. 

Image: Pixabay / annawaldl

To keep the succulents healthy and vibrant, here are a few pointers you can follow in choosing the right pot for succulents:

Size and shapes:

While choosing the pots for succulents, one must take into account the size of the succulents. If your succulent is 1 inch or more, choose pots with more space for future growth. 

Leave at least half-inch space between your pot edge and succulent to have more aeration that can produce healthy succulents. 

For succulents, which require more space, sturdy-looking pots can be used which do not require occasional repotting. 

Few examples for choosing pots according to size can be seen through various succulents needing extra care.

1. Burro’s Tail – This succulent is known for having long steam and stretches for meters with proper care. For this, hanging pots can be used to give space for growth, and it also adds a charming effect to the garden or indoor areas. 

2.  Jade plant - Jade is a gorgeous looking plant that is not only used for indoor décor but also believed to bring luck. Care for this plant can be done by choosing a pot fit to hold its significant growth. Pots with a depth of 8 inches or more can be used.

3.  Haworthia Cooperi - This succulent comes in a small size which fits perfectly in any indoor home. For this, size of the pot can be anywhere between 2.5 inches or less. 

Houses are built according to the people who occupy them and their necessities. In the same regard, for the succulents to have enough space to grow and flourish, it needs proper care in choosing the right size and shape of the pot it grows in. 

Material of the pot:

Just like how you build your home, taking into account the quality of the material used so that it can withstand the harsh climates, succulents also need a good quality of pot material to survive healthily for a long duration. 

Some of the materials used to pot succulents are:

1. Ceramic 

This material is popular among succulent growers because of its slick and polished texture. As it comes in all shapes and sizes, it can be used for a variety of succulents ranging from big to small. 

Image: Pixabay / tylost

But the main aim for using this material for succulents is, it allows good aeration and drainage options. 

 

The drawbacks for ceramic pots are, it is very fragile and tends to break easily when transporting or moving your succulents to new locations. It is also difficult for water to retain in these pots, leaving the succulents to dry up frequently. 

 

2. Terra cotta or clay 

This potting material is preferred by most succulent growers around the world because it’s environmentally sustainable. It also aids in resisting heat, especially in countries like India, where summer months can be brutal for succulents to thrive.

The other benefits are, it helps in easy water vaporization, which in turn aids with issues like overwatering of succulents. 

The drawback of this pot material is it's breakable. Drilling a drainage hole in this material is a challenge because of its fragile nature. As water evaporates quickly in this material, it needs frequent watering. 

 

3. Glass

The succulents grown in pots made of glass tends to give a whimsical effect. The transparent material of the glass gives you the opportunity to witness the different growth stages of succulents. This, too, can be procured through various shapes and sizes. 

The most popular trend for succulent gardeners is the invention of the Terrarium. A terrarium is a sealed glass case which, with the right potting mixture and care, can grow different succulents in the same glass case. It’s perfect for succulents as they grow slowly and don’t take much space. 

The drawback, however, it produces water condensation, which in some cases may harm the succulents. 

Image: Pixabay / Pexels

Glass pots also mostly don’t have drainage holes. For succulents, good drainage is a must for their continued growth. 

The water saline also may stick to the glass causing white streaks to appear, which is not pleasing to the eye. Due to its fragile nature, it’s a challenge to place the glass pots near the vicinity of children and pets. 

4. Plastic

This material of pot for succulents is preferred for succulent growers who require sturdy and long-lasting pots. Plastic pots do a fine job in keeping the succulents secure. In case of transporting and regular repotting, this material can be used. 

 

It has been proved to withstand harsh climates and rough handling. Plant parents looking for less fuss with regard to pots for succulents can opt for the plastic material. 

The drawback for this material is it’s hard for water to evaporate, leaving the succulents soaking in excess moisture during the rainy and winter months. SublimeSucculents wrote a comparison between terracotta and plastic pot.

 

5. Metal or brass 

The use of metal or brass is for decoration purposes and its sustainability. The slick-looking brass wear can now be seen in many households, bringing back the old-world charm. 

 

The succulents known for adapting in various environments with proper care can also find a home in the form of metal and brass pots. 

The drawback for this material of pot for succulents is that it heats very efficiently when exposed to the sun. And during rainy months or excess water content, it may tend to form rust within the pots, having adverse effects on the succulent’s growth. 

6.  Wood 

Wood is also one of the popular choices of pot for succulents. As people are becoming more environmentally sustainable and conscious, the use of pots for plants is also taking a turn for the better with the use of wood. 

The use of driftwood is common among succulent growers for its rugged looks and being one with nature. The hollowed-out parts of tree trunks are also used as pots or containers to hold succulents. 

If you cut down any trees in the future, don’t forget to use them as your pots for growing succulents as part of your DIY project. 

Image: Pixabay / jiawei333

The drawback for this is, over a period of time, the wood can become soggy and not be able to withstand the weight of the soil mixture and the succulents.

Drainage: 

When choosing the right pot for succulents, one must also take into account that it has proper drainage. This is essential for succulents because these plants love the sun, and too much water content will do more harm than good. For this purpose, choosing a pot with a drainage hole is a must for succulents.

Here are few tricks that you can apply to your pots in order to grow succulents:

1. Mesh tape or screens: Using this on your drainage hole will allow the flow of excess water without any soil mixture leaking out. By doing this, you can ensure that your succulents remain intact but also not worry about the soil mixture leaking out on your indoor floors and garden. 

Mesh screens are also available easily to protect your drainage holes in keeping the rich soil components within the pots which continue to feed the succulents. 

2.  Organic components: Using dried leaves and organic matter procured from your own garden can also be used to cover the drainage holes in your pots. By using these organic components, the soil can also get enriched and provide nutrients to the succulents. 

Once the dried leaves and other organic matters get infused with the potting mixture, you can repot the succulents with fresh soil mixture and dries leaves as drainage filters again. 

Use of colors:

With so many plant enthusiasts growing their own succulents, there’s a variety of choices ranging from size, shapes, and also colors. Use the opportunity the next time you shop for pots to color coordinate your succulents to your preference. 

Having different colors to your pots of succulents can increase the aesthetic value of your home compared to your usual décor. 

Image: Pixabay / sweetlouise

Use the play of colors by contrasting your succulent plants with the pots. For example, you can go with a light shade of color to your pot containing the Jade plant, which is dark green in color. This contrast can bring out the vibrant hues of your succulents more. 

The proper care and love that we provide, the more healthy and vibrant the succulent plants can grow. By giving succulents a secure home in one of your pots, keeping in mind the required space, the material, the proper drainage hole with mesh tape or screens to filter, you can create an ecosystem for the succulents to flourish and propagate even more samplings in the future. Thus, choosing the right pot for succulents is essential in getting started with your succulent garden.