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Terra Cotta or Plastic?

18-Jul-08 11:23 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Vanillalotus

 Member


San Antonio Texas, United States

Which do you prefer and why? Do you think the material makes a difference in the plants final outcome?


I like plastic just because it's hot here and using terra cotta I have to water everyday sometimes twice a day because it dries out so fast.

I'm not sure if the material would make a better plant in the end. I would like to try but it's difficult for me to maintain the plants in terra cotta pots from not drying out fast and causing lots of stress on the plant.

22-Jul-08 2:46 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Racquel

 Member


Newport News Virginia, United States

I like the look of terra cotta but plastic does work better for my hot summers. I find that the larger the container the better too. You have to water the small pots daily sometimes 2x a day.

04-Aug-08 10:03 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Cinj

 Member


Rhinelander Wisconsin, United States

I too, like the look of terra cotta. I even tried a stack of them this spring. I think I'll stick with plastic though since it's less likely to be broken by kids playing nearby.

06-Aug-08 9:28 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Laurie

 Member


Lititz Pennsylvania, United States

I prefer plastic as well as using the cocoa liners in wire baskets. Terra cotta dries out too quickly for me.

08-Aug-08 12:09 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

SueinMilan

 Member


Milan Lombardy, Italy

On a balcony, plastic has the advantage of being lighter and so for large containers can be safer. You need to think about how much weight the balcony can bear, and a large terracotta container, plus soil, plus water can be very heavy. That also makes them harder to move around. I have two which I inherited from the last inhabitants of the flat which are still in exactly the same position as when we moved in 15 years ago - and will be when we move out. Those I've bought since have been plastic but with a terracotta look. They're much easier to cope with.

09-Aug-08 1:36 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Shibaguyz

 Member


Seattle WA, United States

Plastic here for the ease of moving around. We garden in a very small space with both in-ground plantings and containers with the containers often being mobile components depending on what we want to use the space for.



In addition, we use a lot of lined hanging baskets... also for easy of mobility.

15-Aug-08 7:38 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

CraftyGardener

 Member


Quinte West Ontario, Canada

How about plastic that looks like terra cotta?

20-Aug-08 11:08 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

patientgardener

 Member


Malvern Worcestershire, United Kingdom

Generally I use plastic as I have quite a stash from buying plants plus they are cheaper. However I have started to use terracota for cuttings as I have been told they are better as they all the air to circulate better - it seems to have worked.

28-Aug-08 3:56 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Shibaguyz

 Member


Seattle WA, United States

Crafty - our plastic does, indeed, look like terra cotta!

06-Oct-08 10:35 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Sunita

 Member


Mumbai Maharashtra, India

I love terracotta for that earthy feel but plastic is so practical. And it withstands crashing coconuts and jumping dogs much better than terracotta does.


I always misjudge how much I need to water when I use plastic pots but with terracotta I can heft it or just look at the colour of the pot (wet is darker) and know.


Plastic is lovely for window-grille pots because they're so lightweight but in our intense sunshine, they tend to fade and crack so fast.


If I didnt have to be practical (which I try with all my might not to be) I'd go for terracotta always.

24-Nov-08 4:01 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Zach

 Member


Norman OK, United States

I have trouble with some of my plants in plastic pots when I bring them indoors over winter. Some of them retain moisture for too long, when the plants are more or less dormant. My plants in terra cotta do much better indoors.

17-Jul-09 11:13 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

autumnbelle

 Member


Klang Selangor, Malaysia

Plastic containers will look old and faded after long exposure to the hot sun. By then, it is necessary to repot the plant. For orchids, it is better to use terra cotta.

24-Jul-09 10:00 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Tatyana

 Member


Seattle Washington, United States

I use both types. I try to use plastic containers mostly for shady areas.

20-Apr-11 4:49 AM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

tracysmorris

 Member


Fort Smith Arkansas, United States

I use both types. Terracotta needs more work and upkeep, but they develop a nice green patina over time.

08-Jul-11 9:42 PM GMT

Re: Terra Cotta or Plastic?

Mom700

 Member


Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada

I've used both terra cotta and plastic. I use small terra cotta pots for herbs because I like the look in my kitchen and out on the deck. I use plastic for my larger plantings, mostly because of the amount of water they need.