Picking out the appropriate container for a specific type of plant is vital to its success. If you select an incorrectly sized pot, it may severely stunt the development of the plant. You need to choose the correct sized pot, but it’s nearly as crucial to decide on a container that’s built of the proper material. Different materials will function better in different applications.

If you’re thinking of growing a perennial plant, like a big herb bush, you may want to select a full-size wooden container. Wood is particularly appealing for use in growing plants that continue growing for more than one season, and plants that you plan to grow outdoors in a prominent part of your yard, balcony or terrace.

Wooden containers are best for bigger plants, and for use in highly visible locations of your yard. Wooden containers are commonly one of the most costly types of pots. These containers may be pricey, but they typically last many years.

Make certain to get one that’s treated on the outside, but not on the inside. If you find a container that is treated on the inside, you could end up with unsafe chemicals being leeched into the dirt and getting absorbed into your plants. This may hurt the plants, and possibly make you ill if you consume them.

Plastic containers are likely the most commonly used type of pot for container gardening. This is mainly due to the reality that plastic containers are usually the cheapest. But the most inexpensive option isn’t always advisable.

If you only intend to grow your container garden for one year, then plastic might be an acceptable option for you. But if you believe you want a container garden next year, you'll want to stick with a pot that's will last longer.

You might be tempted to believe some plastic containers are durable since they’re more solid or thicker than other plastic pots, but that’s not always true. If plastic is left outside in the elements especially the sun for extended periods of time, it could start to warp and crack. Broken containers aren't much good for anything!

Terra cotta clay pots are the second most economic kind of container. They’re pretty affordable, but they are very fragile and do break rather easily. They also don't hold up very well to freezing temperatures, so you should not leave them outdoors during wintertime.

Fired ceramic containers are a decent alternative. They can also be a little fragile, but some of them can be pretty durable. They’re generally glazed on the exterior for appearance, but are left unglazed on the inside. This is acceptable since the glaze can harm plants if it leeches into the soil.

You could also create your own containers by using things you discover around your house. Most containers can work if they are big enough for whatever you would like to grow, as long as you make drainage holes in the bottom part of the pot.

For example, some gardeners even use bags of soil as their containers, merely slicing a hole in the side of the bag so that it's’ laying on its side and seeding directly into the revealed dirt!

You definitely don’t have to use off the shelf store bought containers. Just about any container may be used for growing plants as long as it's safe and allows for proper drainage.

If you haven't tried container gardening, start today. There’s no digging, tilling, and little -if any- weeding to be done. Gardening in pots makes maintenance a snap!