How to Choose the Right Size Handmade Terracotta Pot

Whether they’re placed purposefully on a roof terrace or patio, or set against the backdrop of a rustic, sun-baked courtyard, conjuring memories of long, carefree holidays in the Mediterranean, a large terracotta potted plant can add plenty of visual appeal and natural theatre to your garden space.

In order for your vibrant plant life to thrive in the great outdoors, however, it's always important to make sure you’re employing every measure possible to create the perfect growing environment. This includes understanding which size pot will best suit your plant.

Think about the root system

It’s with good reason that many plant varieties require larger pots to flourish in your garden—and it all comes down to what’s going under the soil. While the optimum growing conditions may vary between different plant types, in general, most root systems will benefit from the additional space offered by a larger pot. 

Specifically, a large handmade terracotta pot will provide the ideal container solution for your plants, offering all the growing room needed for the development of new roots. Indeed, the majority of plant life will do best when the pots are at least two inches larger in diameter than the plant. Not only, then, will a large Italian-made terracotta pot provide an abundance of room for the roots to sprawl, but they will also continue to grow as the plant matures and becomes more established.

Sizing up your pot

Nearly all plants will require repotting at some stage in their life cycle, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the early indicators that your plant needs a larger pot. You may begin to notice that your plant needs watering much more regularly. Also, take a look at the drainage holes of your smaller pot, and if you can see that roots are starting to sprout through, it's time to move to a larger planter. 

Exactly often your plants will need to be repotted will be dictated by the plant type, its growth rate, and its size. In general, most plants will need to be transferred into a new container once every two years. If your plants find their home in a large terracotta planter, however, it will never need repotting again!

For trees grown in pots, again, find a planter with a diameter roughly two inches larger than the nursery pot the tree arrived in. However small your plant is, always be wary of using small pots in which the soil can dry out quickly. For an idea of the variety of pot sizes available, we’d always recommend referring to our pot size guide.

When to repot

For the best results, we’d suggest repotting your plants in the spring. Be sure the container has ample drainage, something a handmade terracotta pot will provide in abundance, and fill it with high-quality potting soil. Carefully extract the plant from the old pot and gently loosen its roots before placing it into the new larger pot. Once your plant is situated, cover the roots with soil and water it regularly.

How can we help?

It can sometimes be a challenge deciding which sized pot to use for your planting needs. The perfect choice will consider a number of factors: the size of your plant, its location, and how the pot will fit into your overall garden design. If you’d like any advice or guidance on choosing the right Italian-made terracotta pot for your outdoor space, please do get in touch.