Tip

Ceramic or Metal Pot? We Compare and Choose

Ceramic or Metal Pot? We Compare and Choose

Author

Joel Campbell

22/05/2020

Potted plants will grow long and healthily if you plant them in suitable pots. Additionally, stylish planters will beautifully showcase the beauty of flowers and serve as an interesting and aesthetic decoration, not just for interiors, but also for gardens, terraces, and balconies. In today's Magazine, we're putting two types of plant pots under the microscope: ceramic and metal, presenting their pros and cons, and advising on which planter to choose.

Ceramic Plant Pots Aesthetic and Functional

Not so long ago, ceramic plant pots were considered old-fashioned and out of style. However, ceramic planters have made a comeback and are currently enjoying immense popularity. It's hardly surprising. They are aesthetic, fit perfectly into both classic and modern interiors, and plants potted in them thrive wonderfully. Discover all the pros and cons of ceramic plant pots.

Pros:

  • they perfectly protect the soil from overheating and, at the same time, from freezing;
  • ceramic pots are resistant to changing weather conditions; they are impervious to frost and high temperatures, making them ideal pots for a terrace, balcony, or garden;
  • potted plants planted in a ceramic pot have excellent growing conditions because these types of plant pot covers have porous walls that allow roots to breathe and drain moisture very well, which prevents the development of mould and root rot; on the other hand, ceramic pots can draw moisture from the environment, thus ensuring optimal hydration for the planted greenery;
  • ceramic plant pot saucers are durable and resilient;
  • ceramic plant pots and planters are heavy, which gives them excellent stability;
  • ceramic balcony plant pots look stylish and natural and blend perfectly with both their surroundings and any type of plant; they are excellent pots for cacti as well as traditional potted flowers, such as geraniums;
  • they come in various designs, colours, sizes, and shapes, making them easy to match to our plants and interiors; you'll find, among others, white ceramic pots or hanging plant pots;

Cons:

  • they are quite fragile, so an accidental knock can result in a broken pot;
  • large ceramic pots are heavy, making them cumbersome to move;
  • the possibility of water seeping out can lead to moss growth and limescale build-up on the pots, and consequently, damage to the planter;
Bloomingville Mini Container 9 cm beaver

£12.62

Bloomingville Mini Container 9 cm beaver

Bloomingville

1 variant

Self-watering Orchid pot
Plant Hanger hanging pot
Hübsch pot 671104 2 pcs.
Self-watering Orchid pot
Plant Hanger hanging pot
Hübsch pot 671104 2 pcs.

That's interesting

Speaking of showcasing plants, you might be interested in two FormAdore Magazines: Plant Box from Ferm Living – a modular plant stand and Everywhere is good, but in a plant stand it's best, in which we argue that, in addition to pots, stylish and practical plant stands are ideal places for plants.

Metal Plant Pots Stylish, Durable, and Resilient

Metal is a versatile material used to produce garden accessories and decorations, including plant pots. Unfortunately, many people associate metal planters with unattractive, silver-grey flower containers. This is a mistake! Currently available modern metal plant pots surprise with their unique form, exceptional design, and interesting colours. They are incredibly elegant and decorative. They perfectly highlight the character of modern and minimalist interiors. Discover the pros and cons of metal plant pots.

Pros:

  • metal plant pots are characterised by high durability and resistance to various mechanical damage, thereby protecting the plants potted in them from harm;
  • they are solid and made of high-quality materials;
  • a metal plant pot on a stand or hanging pots perfectly enhance the arrangement of modern, Scandinavian, minimalist, and industrial interiors, balconies, or gardens; they are ideal pots for the living room, bedroom, or kitchen;
  • a wide selection of designs, sizes, and shapes allows for a perfect match of the metal pot to the interior or terrace; a gold plant pot and a black plant pot are just a few of our suggestions;
  • they are excellent herb pots, which not only thrive in them but also look beautiful; growing herbs will be much more convenient if you choose metal self-watering plant pots;
  • metal decorative plant pots are easy to keep clean;

Cons:

  • the walls of metal pots block the penetration of air and water, making plants more susceptible to overwatering;
  • they heat up very quickly;
  • the walls of metal pots do not provide sufficient protection for plants against frost;
  • only pots covered with a special protective coating against moisture can be placed on a balcony or terrace; other models are not resistant to atmospheric factors and may start to rust after some time;
Bau Flowerpot large green

£73.73

Bau Flowerpot large green

Ferm Living

3 variants

Bau Flowerpot small black

£48.89

Bau Flowerpot small black

Ferm Living

3 variants

Gourmet Herb pot

£31.54

Gourmet Herb pot

WMF

This product is temporarily unavailable

Triflora hanging plant pots
Potsy pot set 3 pcs.
Triflora hanging plant pots
Potsy pot set 3 pcs.

Which pot to choose? Ceramic or metal?

Ceramic plant pots are perfectly suited for both indoors and outdoors. They are ideal pots for windowsills, terraces, balconies, or gardens. Do you want to display your plants on your balcony or terrace all year round? Opt for ceramic pots, which are characterised by thermal stability and, as a result, protect plants from both overheating and freezing. Furthermore, ceramic pots can be placed in fairly sunny spots, as their porous structure excellently retains moisture, protecting the plant from drying out. Meanwhile, their considerable weight ensures the pot's stability, so we don't have to worry about it being accidentally knocked over or blown down by the wind.

Hübsch 670806 Flowerpot 2 pcs

£31.94

Hübsch 670806 Flowerpot 2 pcs

Hübsch

shipping in 24 h

Triflora hanging plant pots
Potsy pot set 3 pcs.
Shell plant pot
Triflora hanging plant pots
Potsy pot set 3 pcs.
Shell plant pot

On the other hand, metal plant pots are a great choice for the home, especially if we want to introduce a touch of greenery into modern, minimalist interiors. You can also decorate your balcony or garden with this type of pot. However, before placing the pot outside, make sure it has been covered with a special protective layer against corrosion and will not be exposed to prolonged sunlight, which would heat the pot and could adversely affect the health of the plants, causing the soil to dry out, and consequently damaging the roots.

Get inspired!


Check out the FormAdore Magazine: How to decorate a balcony? Inspiration and ideas, to learn how to create a fashionable, functional, and cosy relaxation zone on your balcony.

Regardless of which plant pot, plant stand, or planter you choose, remember that the selected flower container should match the style of our interior or terrace, properly display the plants, and provide them with the right conditions for growth and development.

Joel Campbell
J
Joel Campbell
a globetrotter, coffee addict and wine lover. His interest is mainly set in between cultural and culinary habits. He writes about all aspects related to food and drinks esthetics.