Planters: Ceramic, Plastic, and Terra cotta 🪴

There are many types of planters available for your Garden sPOT but which one is right for you? Carrie Engle of Valley View Farms Garden Center talks about ceramic, plastic, and terra cotta options.

Ceramic is the most expensive. It's also the heaviest, which can be an advantage if you're planting a top-heavy tree, battling windy conditions, or if you have energetic pets. Ceramic can be weather resistant and cope well with freezing (as long as the top opening is the widest part of the planter and freezing soil can expand upward). Ceramic planters hold moisture better than terra cotta planters.

Plastic planters can be very inexpensive, strong, and lightweight. Plastic also holds moisture very well. In the past, plastic planters looked a little bland but these days you can find them with all types of textures and finishes. Often, it's hard to tell plastic from ceramic, stone, or even metal at first glance.

Terra cotta planters are a classic look. They can be modestly priced however, the material is more brittle than ceramic or plastic, which can result in chipping. Terra cotta is very porous and wicks moisture out of the potting mix, so you may be watering more often. (Terra cotta planters are best for low-water plants like succulents and cacti.) The porousness also means the planter walls can hold moisture as freezing temperatures move in. Ice forming within the planter walls will cause the planter to crack.