Have you brought a new indoor plant on your last visit to the market? Do you want to get rid of the not so good looking plastic nursery containers? Then it’s time to select a pot for your plant, which will be its home to live in and grow. If you are a new plant parent, it is hard to choose the best pots for the plant when you have several options. Where one searches “Are ceramic pots good for plants?” another person searches “Are terracotta or clay pots good for indoor and outdoor plants?”

Take a deep breath!

Planting indoor plants are therapy for gardening freaks, and passion demands the best from you. We know your concerns about your baby plants. We understand how hard it is to choose comfortable locations, pots, and accessories for the healthy growth of your plant.

The growth index of plants in different pots has caused a massive demand for planters. Ceramic pots are always in demand due to the huge variety of cute and unique designs available in the market. But are they only aesthetically pleasing or any good for plants’ health? Find out in this article.

Let’s start!

What are Ceramic Pots?

Making a difference between a terracotta pot and a ceramic pot is usually tricky; that’s why most people cannot distinguish between both types. A ceramic pot is also made of baked clay, like terracotta, but is glazed with lacquer. Light-colored clay is used in the making of ceramic pots, which are then baked in a high-temperature kiln.

Features of Ceramic Pots

The high temperature of the kiln gives the following properties to the pot:

• Low vulnerability to the outside environment
• Strength
• Less porous surface

The ceramic pots are available in different colors because their raw material is clay which is also available in different colors. The second thing is that the ceramic pots have a coat of lacquer. As clay is a porous material, the glaze decreases the material’s porosity. Hence, the lacquer does not allow the soil to dry quickly, making ceramic pots favorable for plants that like moist soil.

Generally, you will see ceramic pots without holes and a drainage system. Only a few ceramic pots come with drainage holes. The plants grow well in both types of pots, but experts recommend using a pot with proper drainage holes to prevent overwatering.

Related Article: Note these tips before using ceramic pots in your indoor garden.

Are Ceramic Pots Good For Indoor Plants?

Clay-based pots are always a better choice for plants. Due to their glazed surface, ceramic pots have less ability to drain water. Therefore, these pots retain moisture better and won’t dry out as fast. Moreover, if you tend to overwater, the clay pot can absorb excess water from the soil, preventing overwatering. However, if there is a lot of dampness, the ceramic pot needs more time to dry as compared to some other pots.

Why Choose A Ceramic Pot?

You are going to choose the best pot for your plant. Since you have multiple options, there is a simple guide on why you should choose ceramic pots. The plant experts extract some points to help make your selection relatively stress-free.

1. It can be used for Indoor and Outdoor Plants.

The ideal property of ceramic pots is that you can use them for indoor and outdoor plants. Indoors, ceramic pots look appealing. However, due to the durable nature of the ceramic pots, they are also the ideal choice for your outdoor plants as well.

2. Appearance

Ceramic pots come in unique and stylish designs, which is not the case with other pot materials. They give an aesthetic high-end, and modern look to your indoor space.

3. No Color Fading

Since the surface of the ceramic is glazed, the chances of fading reduce to the minimum. The other pots may fade after a bit or due to harsh environmental conditions, and you must re-paint them after short use. In this case, getting the ceramic pot is worth a deal because they do not fade away by rain, water, and storms.

4. Less Vulnerable

The ceramic pots are available in more convincing traits than other pots. The ceramic pots have a shiny surface; due to the shining surface, they act as long-lasting planters for your baby plant. The plant roots remain intact because they are less vulnerable than terracotta, plastic, and other pots.

5. Durable

They’re durable. Ceramic pots are designed to withstand high temperatures, so they won’t crack or break if you accidentally drop them.

6. Retains Moisture

Although most plants prefer well-draining soil, there are certain plants that like moist soil. Since ceramic pots have reduced porosity due to their glazed surface, therefore, they don’t quickly drain water. Hence, the soil remains moist, allowing you to go longer between waterings.

7. Last Long

The surface of the ceramic pots is shiny due to lacquer, and they can also live in long and harsh conditions. They are durable and last longer than other planters if kept with care.

8. Non-Toxic

Since ceramic pots are made of natural clay, hence it is free from toxins that can harm your plant. Moreover, they are also safe for the environment.

9. Low- Maintenance

They’re easy to care for. Ceramic pots don’t require much maintenance and can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

Can we use Ceramic Pots without Drainage Holes?

Drainage is one of the essential things necessary for a plant’s growth. The drainage holes under the plant pot help in letting out excess water from the soil. Hence, reducing the risk of overwatering. Moreover, the drainage holes help regulate airflow in the soil allowing adequate oxygen to reach the roots. Also, with proper drainage, the chances of mineral buildup on the soil are also reduced as excessive salts are flushed out of the drainage holes.

However, if you get a beautiful ceramic pot with no drainage pot, you can use it as it is. You can use the ceramic pot without drainage in the following ways:

• Option 1: You can opt for lava rock. Place a lava rock before adding potting soil to the plantar. It will save the plant from excessive water.
• Option 2: You can use a ceramic pot as a decorative cachepot and place the grow pot inside it.
• Option 3: Drill a hole for drainage in the pot

Related Article: Do You Need Drainage Holes in Pots?

How to Make a Hole in Ceramic Pot?

If your pot lacks drainage holes, there is no need to worry. You can create as many holes as you need for your pot using a drill machine. You can also make pots from various household items like mugs, bowls, etc., by drilling holes. However, wear safety goggles and drill gently to prevent cracking or chipping the pot when making drainage holes.

Comparison of Different Pots with Ceramic Pots

Although every pot has different qualities and according to the conditions, the choice varies from one pot to another. But there are some famous options that every buyer has to face while making a purchase. This comparison is just about the qualities of pots to make your pot purchase easy.

Related Article: What is the Best Material of Pots for Indoor Plants?

Terracotta Pots vs. Ceramic Pots:

The terracotta is a porous material that lets moisture and air pass through them. These pots are available in rust color only. They often come with a large drainage hole at the bottom.

The ceramic pots have glazed surfaces that do not let moisture pass through them. They may or may not have a drainage hole at the bottom. These pots are available in different sizes and colors.

Terracotta pots are perfect for plants that don’t like moisture in their soil, whereas ceramic pots are suitable for indoor plants that prefer damper soil.

Related Article: 6 Amazing Benefits of Terracotta Pots

Plastic Pots vs. Ceramic Pots:

Plastic pots are durable because they do not break with a minor hit. These pots are mainly used for indoor plants. The plastic pots’ color and material fade away when they are kept outside. These pots are lightweight, strong, and flexible. If you water infrequently, the plastic pots hold moisture twice other pots.

Plastic pots are the choice of planters that do not like dry soil. They keep the soil moisture retained for a longer duration of time. These planters are the less appropriate choice for those plants who like dry roots. The plastic pot does not offer a wicking function like a ceramic pot, so it retains water for a longer duration.

Disadvantages of Using Ceramic Pots

There are a few disadvantages that ceramic pots can have:

• Fewer or no drainage holes 
• Retains water which can cause root rot.
• The soil in ceramic pots needs more time to dry out
• Quite heavy and larger planters can’t be moved easily from one place to another.
• The glazed surface restricts the air and water flow through the soil.

Plants That Love Ceramic Pots

There are several plants that love moist soil, and hence ceramic pots are the ideal choice for them.

• Spider plant
• Pothos
• Baby’s Tears
• Boston Fern
• Maidenhair Fern
• Lucky Bamboo
• Rubber plant

Related Article: Ceramic Pots for Succulents: 15 Beautiful Options of 2022

Final Verdict

After discussing all the important points above, our verdict is YES; ceramic pots are good for indoor plants. So, plants can grow better in ceramic pots provided the other requirements like drainage, watering, etc., are fulfilled.

If this article helped clear the queries regarding ceramic pots, visit our website for more articles on plants and planters.