Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plant pot sizes and shapes
Hmm, square or round? Maybe rectangular? Does it matter?
When selecting pots for our plants, we… or maybe just me, can get carried away with all the beautiful containers. I can ogle them almost as much as the plants.
I did a little research on the shapes of planters and found it makes a difference!
In particular square or round pots with the same diameter and height have differing amounts of soil they need and how many plants can be happy in them.
Square planters give more volume for the same height, as well as more surface area for planting, than a round pot. Which means there is more space for potting soil and plants. They’re also easier for watering your plants.
Round planters are prettier, maybe due to their softer edge. They’re more often used to grow herbs and flowers in. Some say they’re not very practical for large plants because they tend to tip over more easily. And if the planter has a tapered bottom, it’s even less stable. Without a front or back side, it’s harder for plants to grow evenly together. A round planter is better for a single plant, or just a few plants. Jay Scott is a company that makes high quality lightweight containers. This isn’t an endorsement but rather a link to their info. They’re products are spendy.
They love rectangular shapes because they’re practical. They have a front and back which means you can plant an even row of flowers, vegetables, or even hedges!. The back is meant for drainage, so you should always remember to drill some holes in the bottom of it. This ensures proper drainage of water from the pot.