Will a plant grow better in a clay or plastic pot?

Published by: cfz 2009-01-07

Grigsby Cactus Gardens::
Grow the plant slowly and you will have a healthier, better looking plant. THE POT: What I use all three kinds: porous clay, plastic and glazed ceramic.
http://www.cactus-mall.com/grigsby/newwebculture.htmlHOME

I need to know for a report due in 2 days.

Either one will work just fine. The amount of potential nutrients from a kiln fired clay pot is just about absolutely zero, even if the clay was blessed any nutrients to begin with and the nutrients available from plastic is absolute zero.

The New House Plant Expert: The World's Best-Selling Book on House - Google Books Result::
href=http://books.google.com/books?id=aNMaWzeffjMC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=Will+a+plant+grow+better+in+a+clay+or+plastic+pot%3F&source=web&ots=e5nBiP_0MZ&sig=wtE-yetVGzHLnoAZ1hZhUWrSsM4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=11&ct=result class=l onmousedown=return clk(http://books.google.com/books?id=aNMaWzeffjMC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=Will+a+plant+grow+better+in+a+clay+or+plastic+pot%3F&source=web&ots=e5nBiP_0MZ&sig=wtE-yetVGzHLnoAZ1hZhUWrSsM4&hl=en,,,res,20,)>The New House Plant Expert: The World's Best-Selling Book on House - Google Books Resultby D. G. Hessayon - 1992 - Gardening - 256 pagesPLANT All the plants will receive approximately the same conditions of moisture and POT It is much better to leave the plants in their pots rather than
http://books.google.com/books?id=aNMaWzeffjMC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=Will+a+plant+grow+better+in+a+clay+or+plastic+pot?&source=web&ots=e5nBiP_0MZ&sig=wtE-yetVGzHLnoAZ1hZhUWrSsM4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=11&ct=resultHOME

What does happen with clay pots, not the ceramic glazed ones, to some degree is their ability to absorb water and water borne nutrients and those nutrients can then leach back into the soil. However, you are talking about very small amounts.

The first answer about watering covers that aspect quite well.

Plastic, I have tried clay pots, they kill most house plants. The big con is that the roots can breath better. Don't fall for it. CLAY SUCKS THE WATER RIGHT OUT OF THE ROOTS! And if you over water to compensate that problem you rot the roots and end up with a pot of green alga growing on the bottom of the pot.

A facelift for your "same old" plants::
I set its plastic pot inside a larger clay pot for some weight, looks and stability. Months later, the growing plant sends rootlets out through the drainage
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1640/HOME

For your plant's roots to breath better you need to put rocks or gravel at the bottom of the pot, then the air can get down through the soil better and let the roots ventilate in between waterings.

Hypotheses::
If one plant is placed in a clay pot, and another is placed in a plastic one, water or purified water, they will grow better with purified water.
http://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/bms/hypos.htmHOME

Potting Mixtures, Containers and Repotting for House Plants!::
Water evaporates easier in a clay pot. If you use plastic containers for your plants, better to leave as is. Removing material can damage plant.
http://www.amagickgarden.com/pages/amgpages/amgHPpotting.htmlHOME

That all depends on how it's watered. I'd say a clay pot, if you consider that a clay pot can "breathe", but plants in clay pots need watered more, and can suffer if they get too dry (which happens quickly). I think plants are easier to take care of in plastic pots, because the soil doesn't dry out as fast. For that reason, I think they grow better in plastic. If I was really, really watchful with my watering, though, they might grow better in clay.

Like lots of things in life, I'm not sure if there's any one, right answer here. I wonder what others will say?

Either is acceptable. If you use a plastic pot however, you need to water a bit less, as it sits in there. A clay pot breathes, but depending upon the plant, you have to watch other watering issues, too. Sometimes the stability of a clay pot is needed, they are heavier than most plastic ones. Plastic, though, rarely freezes. Clay pots always do if left out in frost long enough.

There are pros can cons to both!