The Ultimate Garden Pot Guide: Choosing the Right Containers for Every Plant

Have you ever wandered through a garden centre, surrounded by shelves of pots, and thought, ‘Where do I even begin?’ You’re not alone. Choosing the right pot can make a big difference for your plants, so we’ve put together this guide to help you with everything you need to know.

What’s Actually Best for Your Plants?

The material of your plant pots affects everything from how often you’ll need to water to how long they’ll last in the British weather. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each.

Terracotta Plant Pots

These orange-brown clay containers have been garden staples for centuries, and for good reason. They breathe, allowing air and moisture to move through the walls, which is brilliant for plants that hate sitting with wet roots.

Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme absolutely love terracotta, as do most succulents. They’ll thank you for the drier conditions by growing stronger and healthier than they might in plastic.

The downside? If you’ve ever left a terracotta pot outside during a freezing winter, you’ll know the heartbreak of finding it cracked come spring. The clay absorbs water, which expands when frozen. They also dry out more quickly in summer, so you’ll be reaching for the watering can more often.

Ceramic Plant Pots

Ceramic pots are the more glamorous cousins of terracotta, coming in endless colours and designs to match any garden style. If you’re looking to create a focal point, a beautiful glazed ceramic pot can really draw the eye.

The glazed surface holds moisture better than terracotta, making these pots good all-rounders for most plants. They tend to be heavier too, providing excellent stability for taller plants that might topple in lighter containers.

Just be sure to check that the label says “frost-proof” if you’re planning to leave them outside year-round. 

Plastic Pots

Plastic pots used to be the ugly ducklings of the container world. But modern versions have come a long way, with some so convincingly mimicking stone planters or terracotta that you need to tap them to tell the difference.

Their lightweight nature makes them perfect for balconies, roof terraces, or anywhere you might need to shuffle pots around regularly. They retain moisture well too, meaning less frequent watering (always a bonus during busy summer months).

One thing worth knowing: dark-coloured plastic pots can heat up significantly in direct sunlight. In sunny spots, lighter colours are definitely better.

Wood Planters

Wooden planters bring a warmth and natural feel that’s hard to beat. Cedar and oak naturally contain oils that help them resist rot, making them good choices for longer-term planting without chemical treatments.

They provide excellent insulation against both summer heat and winter cold. Many gardeners notice their plants seem less stressed by temperature fluctuations when grown in wooden containers.

Just be cautious if you’re growing food in your outdoor plant pots, and make sure any treated timber is suitable for edible plants. Those railway sleeper planters might look fantastic, but older ones were often treated with creosote or other chemicals you definitely don’t want leaching into your veg.

Drainage: The Make-or-Break Factor for Plant Success

Proper drainage is absolutely crucial for container plants, especially in our often rainy UK climate. Without good drainage, even the most attentive care won’t save plants from soggy, rotting roots.

Every pot needs drainage holes, at least one good-sized hole at the bottom, though multiple holes are even better. Have you ever fallen in love with a gorgeous pot only to turn it over and find no drainage holes? Don’t worry, you can still use it, just place a properly draining pot inside and lift it out for watering.

Here’s a common gardening myth worth busting: contrary to what many of us were taught, putting a layer of gravel or stones at the bottom of pots doesn’t actually improve drainage. Modern horticultural research shows this can create what’s called a “perched water table,” potentially making drainage worse.

Instead, focus on raising pots slightly off the ground to help water flow out freely. You can use purpose-made pot feet, small pieces of tile, or even wine corks to create this space.

Choosing the Right Size

Have you noticed how plants in tiny pots seem to need constant watering and feeding? There’s a good reason for that since they’re essentially living in a bedsit when they need a proper house!

Most plants sold in garden centres are in pots too small for long-term growth. They’re fine temporarily, but will need bigger homes to thrive. When a plant outgrows its container, its roots become cramped and can’t access enough water and nutrients.

These minimum pot sizes work well for different plant types:

Your plants will practically tell you when they need more space if you know what to look for. Roots circling around or poking out of drainage holes means it’s time to size up. Is that plant drinking water like it’s in a desert, even in mild weather? Probably root-bound. Has growth suddenly slowed despite good care? Another clear signal.

When repotting, don’t go too big too fast; instead, move up just one pot size at a time, about 2-4 cm wider than the current container. Don’t make the mistake of putting small plants in enormous pots, thinking you are doing them a favour. Instead, they sit in soggy soil and sulk!

Matching Pots to Plant Types

Different plants have evolved in wildly different environments, and their container needs reflect this. Understanding these preferences helps create ideal growing conditions.

Sun-Lovers and Drought-Tolerant Types

Plants like lavender, rosemary and most succulents evolved in sunny, dry regions and prefer containers that mimic those conditions:

• Terracotta or unglazed pots let excess moisture evaporate
• Relatively shallow containers with excellent drainage work best
• Add extra grit to your potting mix – these plants hate heavy, water-retentive soil

Moisture-Loving Plants

Ferns, hostas and many woodland plants naturally grow in damper, shadier spots:

• Glazed ceramic or plastic pots retain moisture better
• Deeper containers hold more soil and therefore more water
• Rich compost with good water-holding capacity keeps them happy

Vegetables and Herbs

Growing food in containers brings its own considerations:

• Use food-safe materials to avoid any chemical nasties leaching into your dinners
• Provide enough depth ( carrots and parsnips need at least 30 cm of soil)
• Go for larger pots where space allows, as they dry out less quickly and need less frequent feeding

For more detailed advice on container gardening specific to UK conditions, the RHS website has excellent resources with regularly updated information based on research and practical experience.

Creating Attractive Pot Displays

Garden pots and planters aren’t just functional, they also contribute significantly to your garden’s overall look. Creating an attractive display doesn’t need to be complicated.

Grouping containers often looks more intentional and put-together than spreading them around. Try using odd numbers (3, 5, 7) for a more natural-looking arrangement. Varying the heights creates visual interest, so use pots of different sizes or add plant stands under some containers.

While you can certainly mix different pot styles, keeping something consistent ties the display together. This might be colour, material, or shape. For instance, different sizes of the same pot design, or different pots all in complementary colours.

I’ve found that positioning taller plants at the back or centre of groupings, with shorter ones in front or around the edges, creates a more balanced look. Consider seasonal interest too – some containers might look beautiful in summer but empty in winter, so include some evergreens or interesting pot designs that look good year-round.

Maintaining Your Garden Pots

A bit of regular TLC keeps your pots and plants in good condition throughout the year, and it’s honestly not that time-consuming.

Winter Protection

Our wet, sometimes freezing UK winters can be hard on both pots and plants:

• Move frost-sensitive pots to sheltered spots – against walls, under eaves, or into unheated greenhouses
• Raise pots off the ground using pot feet or bricks to improve drainage
• Group containers together where possible – they’ll create their own microclimate
• Check and empty saucers regularly to prevent waterlogging

Annual Refreshment

Even perennial plants in containers benefit from some annual attention:

1. Remove the top few centimetres of old compost in spring
2. Replace with fresh compost mixed with slow-release fertiliser
3. Check drainage holes aren’t blocked
4. Clean salt deposits or algae from pot rims with a brush and vinegar solution

This quick spring refresh takes about 15 minutes per pot but makes a noticeable difference to plant health throughout the growing season.

Find Your Perfect Garden Pots at Pots to Inspire

Choosing garden pots is about finding what works for both your plants and your garden style. There’s no single perfect container for every situation; what works best depends on your specific plants, local conditions, and personal taste.

Start with the essentials, such as good drainage, appropriate size and suitable materials, then focus on creating the look you want. Well-chosen containers enhance both plant health and your garden’s appearance.

Whether you’re setting up a small balcony garden or arranging containers throughout a larger outdoor space, thoughtful pot selection makes maintenance easier and improves growing results.

Explore our extensive online collection at Pots to Inspire, we offer everything from classic terracotta to modern designer pieces.