Container gardening is a way for everyone to enjoy their hobby no matter how much or how little space they have available. Large garden or apartment balcony – it doesn’t matter. Wherever you live or whatever the size of your garden you’ll get tremendous satisfaction and enjoyment from potting plants. And most plants, scrubs, herbs and even ornamental trees can be grown successfully in containers.

But choosing the right plants is only half the battle. You need the right pot. Make sure you opt for a large enough container to comfortably hold the roots allowing for at least a year’s growth. Once you’ve settled on the right size of pot it then comes down to materials and design. And here you are spoilt for choice.

What are the best containers for potted plants?

Terracotta pots

Terracotta is the traditional material used for containers. They can of course be more costly but they offer a timeless aesthetic that looks great in almost any garden. With terracotta however, there can be a greater risk of the pot cracking due to extremes in temperature. But there are frost-proof options available, making these a better choice for outdoor use.

Terracotta containers can also be quite heavy even before they’re filled with soil. Consider the size of pot you want - and importantly whether you’ll be able to carry it easily.

Going metal

Metal containers are attractive and provide a modern look. Though you can buy aged, antique style metal pots which look fabulous. Many have old-style writing or farm style designs. Depending on which metal they are made from, they can also be lightweight too. But you don’t have to restrict yourself to off the shelf containers. Many old metal items you may have lying around your home or shed can be repurposed as planting containers for shrubs or ornamental trees. Watering cans, wheelbarrows and old metal buckets make wonderful planters.

However, metal pots can get unbearably hot in the sun. So hot in fact, that they can end up burning and damaging your plants. To combat this, you should keep your pot out of direct sunlight during the summer months. Alternatively, you could line the inside of your pot with bubble-wrap to separate it from the soil to prevent excess heat being transmitted.

Plastic fantastic

Plastic pots are an excellent choice for many different plants and environments because they tend to be more affordable whilst maintaining durability. Plastic or fiberglass containers do well in both indoor and outdoor settings and come in a wide variety of styles and colours. They are also fairly easy to drill holes into for extra drainage. Plastic pots are available in a huge range of sizes and styles. They provide a cost-effective alternative to terracotta and metal containers.

Creative container planting ideas…

The wide variety of different containers available on the market means you can be as creative as you’d like. But there are also genius container planter ideas that could save you money and help you make use of spare materials you have in your home. 

Chimney pots and water troughs are of course a traditional way of potting plants. You can pick them up at farm auctions, reclamation yards, garden centres and antique shops. Old wheelbarrows too make wonderful containers for large displays of flowering plants. Even old bathtubs can look incredible when planted up.

Left over pieces of wood can also make great pots for your plants. Simply measure, cut and nail the pieces together to create your perfectly sized container. Line with fabric bags or plastic lining, then fill with compost and you’re ready to plant.

Get super creative with your containers by using a couple of old tyres and mounting them onto your garage wall. Give them a quick paint of a nice and cheery colour, drill a few holes in the bottom and there you have it. A unique tyre plant container. A great conversation starter when you next host a BBQ.

Whatever the space you have remember to have fun with your container gardening, be creative and enjoy your garden. 

And even if you're not the most enthusiastic gardener you can still create an amazing looking space by utilising low maintenance garden pots.