For the love of Terra-cotta
Buying pots for plants can be a pain in the butt and can get quite expensive if you don’t know where to shop. If you’ve been following me on my previous accounts, you know that I used to always find the cutest pots for my plants. It wasn’t until recently that I needed everything to be cohesive for my anxiety. With the influx of plant lovers and supplies becoming limited, I turned to terra-cotta! in my opinion, they’re the easiest to find and very affordable in my city. I know many are joining the plant community and I wanted to share some pros and cons that I do not see discussed often when it comes to these pots. Keep in mind these are based off of my opinion.
Pros:
Aesthetically pleasing
Easier to know when plant needs to be watered
Perfect for heavy handers. If you typically overwater your plants, these pots are perfect for you.
Prevents root rot due to the pot soaking up excess water
Ideal for colder climates
Cons:
Have to water plants more frequently
Clay is prone to cracks
Frequent cleaning of pots
What most people don’t know when it comes to terra-cotta pots is that you should soak them for 30 minutes in a water/vinegar solution before using them. The solution should be 1 cup white vinegar to 3-4 cups of water. The material the pots are made out of are very porous and actually breathes. This in essence means the pots will begin to turn white the more you water your plants; the salt and minerals from the water will seep through. If you used your terra-cotta pot without soaking it, it’s okay! Just be sure to clean your pot(s) frequently like once a week.
How to clean terra-cotta pots:
Use a damp cloth to wipe each pot down.
Mix water and soap together, and wipe each pot.
Mix water and vinegar together, and wipe each pot.
Mix water and bleach, and wipe each pot.
Where to purchase terra-cotta pots:
Ikea
Lowes
Home Depot
Walmart
Local FB groups
Whether you’re a beginner plant parent or a seasoned one, it’s always good to revisit the basics, especially with the temperatures beginning to change. Keep in mind that the more you clean your pots, the more they will begin to look seasoned and worn which is a look I cannot wait to achieve with my pots. I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post and find it useful on your plant journey. If you have any questions about your plant journey, leave a comment below.
Until next blog post,
Bee
