One of the most important decisions you’ll make as an indoor gardener is what kind of containers to use for your houseplants. Choices vary widely, from decorated ceramic pots to those made of terra-cotta, plastic, fiberglass, brass, wood and wicker. The style and type of pot you choose often depends on your décor. Besides aesthetics, however, you’ll need to keep a few functional points in mind.

Garden centers, nurseries and home retail stores offer a wide selection of both functional and decorative pots for houseplants.

Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

A painted wood container may be more useful and lasting if it’s used as a cachepot to hold a waterproof container instead of being planted in directly.

Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

The best containers for houseplants are those that have drainage holes and fit within a home’s décor.

Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

Drainage is a significant container consideration; good drainage and ample drainage holes are imperative. If your pot lacks drainage holes, drill some yourself or use the pot as a cachepot – a decorative container designed to hold an inner pot. Ceramic and metal containers make attractive cachepots, as do wicker baskets. (Remember to line baskets with plastic to avoid fungal disease and moisture damage to other furnishings.) To allow for good air circulation, cachepots should be at least 1 inch bigger in diameter than the interior pot. Elevate inner pots on inverted saucers, if necessary, and always remember to remove any water that drains into the cachepot.

Size is also important when it comes to picking containers. A pot should hold enough soil to accommodate a healthy root system and still leave 1 inch of room above the soil – known as headspace – for watering. Some plants, like succulents and cacti, have shallow roots, while large plants like dracaenas and ficus need more root room. The pot size should match each particular plant visually as well. A good design principle is that the pot should be 1/3 the height of the plant/container combination. Avoid potting in containers that are too large, because soil surrounding the roots can hold excess moisture, which could lead to fungal disease.

Of course, size and drainage are but two considerations when selecting containers. You also need to choose the materials from which they’re made. While various containers are available, clay and plastic seem to be the most popular.

Clay pots are easy to find and come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Styles vary, from plain containers to Greek pots to vases with designs that include grapes, fish, sun rays and iguanas. Some planters are even shaped like animals.

A close cousin to clay is ceramic. Whereas clay pottery is usually fired in a kiln and then painted, ceramic pottery gets its shiny coating from being fired, painted with glaze and fired again. Like clay pots, ceramic containers come in a wide range of colors, styles and designs.

Clay and ceramic pots are porous and “breathe,” absorbing moisture and permitting air circulation. Because the walls allow evaporation, plants in clay containers need more frequent watering than those in plastic pots. For plants that require excellent drainage and dry conditions, clay is the best type of pot to use. Heavy clay containers also do an excellent job of anchoring top-heavy plants.

When using clay and ceramic pottery be sure to protect your furniture from water stains. Evaporation from these pots can leave mineral deposits on their surface, which appear as white rings that can mar furniture. These rings are often an indication that it’s time to leach your plant containers to remove mineral and salt buildup.

Many gardeners choose plastic, fiberglass or synthetic resin containers as an alternative, because they’re free of water stains. They come in dozens of colors, sizes and styles, are easy to clean, sturdy, lightweight and economical. Many even resemble terra-cotta and can be used in a wide variety of décor.

Plastic pots often are preferable because they retain moisture more easily than terra-cotta and ceramic pots, which means their plants need less frequent waterings. In fact, since soil stays damp longer in plastic, these containers are best used with plants that require high moisture levels. Because they’re lightweight, they’re carefree, suited for hanging and visually appropriate for airy plants.

After considering these basics, your container choices will depend on your home décor. When selecting a pot, look for those that not only complement your room, but also are suitable for the plants. For a delicate fern, pass by a big, heavy clay pot and try instead a sleeker green ceramic container. A basket filled with plants may appear too casual for a formal dining room, but make a delightful addition to a den or family room.

To prevent water runoff on furniture and floors, use a saucer or cachepot, or water your plants outdoors or in a sink and let them drain thoroughly before putting them back in their usual location. It’s also a good idea to create a waterproof buffer between the pot or saucer and the table or floor with a cork or rubber mat, or elevate the pot with planter feet, blocks of wood or a wooden plant holder to help protect your floor covering from water stains and permit air to circulate beneath the container.

No matter what type of containers you pick, the best ones have large, unobstructed drainage holes. Sometimes, pots have small drain holes or lack them completely. If so, it’s easy to drill a hole in most pots. Containers made of porous materials, such as terra-cotta, should be sealed before they’re used as planting pots. For drilling, you’ll need eye protection and a power drill equipped with a special bit. For sealing, gather rubber gloves, a paintbrush and breathable latex sealant, available at most paint retailers and home centers. The following pictures and their captions show the easy steps to preparing a container for planting.