Terracotta vs Concrete Pots for Plants (WHICH to Choose?)

Are you unable to decide between Terracotta Pots and Concrete Pots for your plants? Well, that should happen as both these have pros and cons of their own. Terracotta pots sit well with classic style-loving people; on the other hand, concrete is for those needing long-lasting pots.

So, before choosing suitable pots for your plants, check out the advantages and disadvantages of Terracotta Pots and Concrete Pots. We have also provided a basic description of these pots.

Terracotta Pots vs. Concrete Pots

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both terracotta pots and concrete pots. I hope this helps you out.

Terracotta Pots Basics

Terracotta pots are made from a natural material, which is clay. The clay is then shaped as a pot and baked through kiln firing to produce Terracotta pots. These pots are rusty brown and don’t have any glaze over them.

Terracotta pots have a classic look and feel, which quite a lot of people find boring. They are also a huge part of different cultures. The best part about terracotta pots is that they can be customized according to the user’s taste. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Terracotta Pots.

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Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• It has a classic look that looks great with most decors.
• Terracotta pots have good ventilation as they are porous. This way, air and water can easily pass through them, decreasing the chances of root rot.
• They are pretty inexpensive and have standardization in pot size.
• Terracotta pot production is entirely environment-friendly in comparison to concrete pots.
• Family projects for customization and personalization of these pots can also be done, and for that, you need a basic pot.

Disadvantages

• These are lightweight, and there is a high chance of breaking, cracking, or chipping. There is also a chance of them becoming fragile during winter.
• The Porous nature of Terracotta pots can dry plants out if not watered properly.
• Terracotta pots are suitable for soils that don’t dry quickly, so they can’t be used in all situations.
• They can get stained with mineral salts, lime, and mosses, and this is due to them being porous.

So, that was all about Terracotta pots. Now let’s move on to Concrete pots.

Concrete Pots Basics

Concrete pots are manufactured the same way the foundations are made during construction. The only difference is that the scale of the work is much smaller in the case of the pots. But the working principle is the same. Two molds are used to make concrete pots. The two molds are identical, but one is smaller in size compared to the other.

The more extensive mold is put in place, and the concrete mixture is poured into it up to a certain level. Then the smaller mold is placed on top and is forced into the larger one. If there are any spaces left on the sides, then it’s filled with some more mixture. The large mold is then vibrated to get rid of the air bubbles inside the mold. Finally, the small mold is placed in the middle in accordance with the shape and left to dry.

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Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• These are the best for windy balconies as they are heavy and won’t get toppled over by strong winds.
• Color can be added to the concrete mixtures to make them flashier; these won’t fade away with time.
• These pots can insulate plants when the temperature changes.
• If you cannot find them according to the sizes you want, you can make them on your own.
• These pots are very sturdy and will go for many years.

Disadvantages

• If you like to rearrange your plants, you will have a hard time as they are quite heavy.
• Just like terracotta pots, they are porous and can get stained with mineral salts, lime, and mosses.
• The price is much higher compared to terracotta pots, which are not eco-friendly.
• Before adding them to your balconies, you must also consider their weight.

And that’s it. This is all about the advantages and disadvantages of concrete pots.

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Which Should You Choose?

Choosing the right pot depends on many things, such as the plants you have, the condition of your house or garden, and personal preferences.

If you have small plants that can be kept in your house, such as Polka Dot plants, etc., it would be a good idea to choose terracotta pots. Since terracotta pots are much lighter than concrete pots, they would do great indoors. Concrete pots are heavy, and they are a bit harder to move around. It is preferable not to use them indoors.

The condition of your house also contributes to the type of pot you can choose. If you have a small house, terracotta pots will do good as they will take up less space. For big houses, you can choose anything you like. As for windy balconies, concrete pots would be the best choice, but you need to take their weight into account as well.

Wrap Up

So, there you have it. These are the advantages and disadvantages of Terracotta and concrete pots. Choosing pots is the easy part. The hard part is maintaining and keeping the plants alive. Make sure to follow a plant care routine and give them proper care and attention.