Aside from clay, terracotta, ceramic, plastic, rubber and metal, there are other materials being used as garden pots.
Some of these would include: baskets, concrete, fiberglass, and wood.
In order to choose which planter material you should use, here are some things you need to consider.
1.
Baskets.
Wooden baskets are making a comeback.
These were extensively used a few decades ago as cachepots (or an exterior container for a smaller pot) and are now part of the mainstream again.
Baskets are actually great garden pots because they are affordable, environmentally friendly and can suit any interior or exterior decor.
However, to ensure that the baskets last longer, try to choose the ones which are spray coated with water resistant resin.
And never put planting media directly unto the basket fibers.
You can use this container either as a cachepot, or you can put in a layer of plastic first before the planting media.
If you are doing the latter, it is essential that you water the greens sparingly to avoid rotting in the wood fibers.
On the other hand, wire baskets can be planted on directly; or if the meshes are widely spaced, can be lined first with coconut fibers and then the planting media.
Most wire baskets are made as hanging planters which allows air to circulate through the plant roots easily.
However, many wire baskets eventually succumb to rust, even if they have water resistant coating or plastic protective coats.
2.
Cement garden pots are extremely classy, especially the ones with the most ornate and unique designs.
Most cement pots are pre-ordered or custom made to suit the decor of the afforded space, especially the larger and taller models, or those with special attachments (like a functional water wheel or a small fountain.
) But there are also ready-to-use albeit smaller scaled models available as well.
One of the biggest concerns with cement pots is the fact that these are rather heavy and cumbersome.
These might be suitable for plants that you have no intention of moving to another location any time soon.
At the same time, the prices of some of the larger planters can be prohibitively expensive.
3.
Fiberglass pots are also sometimes (mis)labeled as resin pots or polyurethane planters or fiber stone containers.
These are usually made from a variety of lightweight materials to create strong and versatile products.
More and more containers like these are coming out with very intricate designs but with cheaper price tags.
They can be made to mimic almost any other planter material and design.
However, just like plastic and rubber pots, these containers tend to retain heat during the hottest part of the day and retain moisture for long periods of time even after a short soaking.
It would be best to keep the greens planted in these containers to remain in shaded areas, and watering should be done sparingly.
4.
Wood has always been a favorite planter material.
However, almost all wood containers are cachepots that hide away clay or terracotta pots.
The thing is: wood is not particularly great in repelling away the moisture from the planting material.
In fact, it tends to absorb moisture, which soon leads to wood rot and even insect infestation.
If you are planning on having wood containers, make sure that you choose the most chemically treated ones, and line the interior with as much plastic cover as possible.