Find out how the pots you choose affect how much you need to water your houseplants. Learn about how much you need to water with terra-cotta, glazed ceramic and plastic pots.
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Today, I’m going to talk about how container choice for your houseplants really affects their watering needs—and the differences between materials like terracotta, glazed ceramic, and plastic are quite drastic.
Terracotta pots, which are unglazed clay, are extremely porous. They allow moisture to escape from all sides, meaning the soil dries out faster. If you pot a plant in terracotta, be prepared to water it more frequently than if you used another type of container.
Terracotta is ideal for plants that like to dry out between waterings, such as succulents and cacti, and for gardeners who tend to overwater—because it helps prevent water retention.
I cover this and more in my playlist on potting up houseplants, where I guide you step-by-step. I’ll link to that below, along with related videos.
Now, let’s talk about glazed ceramic pots. These are slightly porous—more than plastic but much less than terracotta. You will still need to water plants in glazed ceramic more often than plants in plastic pots.
Here, you can see a Dracaena in a glazed ceramic pot—I water it more often than this Philodendron, which is in a plastic pot.
Plastic pots aren’t porous at all. Today’s plastic pots can be quite attractive and look like ceramic, making them ideal for growing and transitioning plants before displaying them in more decorative pots like glazed ceramic.
Keep in mind: if you move a plant from a plastic pot into a glazed ceramic or terracotta one, expect to increase your watering frequency once the plant reestablishes and resumes drinking water.
Another option is using cachepots—decorative outer containers that hold plastic nursery pots inside. This approach allows you to maintain a beautiful display while minimizing watering frequency. I have videos on using cachepots as well.
So now you know: container material plays a major role in how often you’ll need to water your houseplants.
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Houseplant Container Watering FAQ
How does pot material affect houseplant watering?
The material of the pot—terracotta, glazed ceramic, or plastic—affects how quickly soil dries out. Terracotta dries fastest, plastic retains moisture longest.
Are terracotta pots good for overwatered plants?
Yes, terracotta pots are porous and dry out quickly, making them ideal for gardeners who tend to overwater or for plants that prefer dry soil.
Do glazed ceramic pots require more watering than plastic pots?
Yes, glazed ceramic pots are more porous than plastic ones and require more frequent watering, but less than terracotta.
Can I use cachepots to reduce watering frequency?
Yes, using a decorative cachepot with a plastic nursery pot inside helps maintain aesthetics while retaining moisture and reducing watering frequency.
What should I expect when repotting from plastic to terracotta?
Expect to water more frequently, as terracotta allows moisture to evaporate quickly compared to moisture-retaining plastic containers.
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