There are many different types of pots for growing cannabis. Not all pots are the same, they each have unique characteristics that make them different from one another. Growing pots don't just differ in size. You can find containers from the classic flower part to advanced air pots or speciality containers for hydroponic systems.

 

These are the main types of pots available:

 

  

Plastic Pots

The standard plastic pots are popular amongst growers. These pots are available in different sizes and can also be found as either square pots, or round pots. Square pots are better to work with when growing cannabis indoors as they fit together nicely in a grow room. They have the perfect size and shape to efficiently place more plants next to each other. 

                       

                        Ceramic Pots

                        These are the good old traditional flowerpots made from terracotta. The terracotta pots are much heavier than the plastic pots, but they can be a good choice for outside growing. Terracotta has a natural ability to soak up and store excess moisture and can provide a cooling effect, which would benefit your plant's roots in the                           hot summer.

  

Fabric Pots

Fabric pots have become an increasingly popular choice amongst growers. The principle behind fabric pots, also called smart pots, is to prevent your roots becoming root bound. Rather than the roots growing and wrapping around, smart pots are made from fabric to allow your plants roots to breathe properly as well as allow the roots to be "air-pruned".

Air pruning is the process whereby the roots grow to the outer edges and attempt to go past the porous fabric wall but instead, when the roots touch air, the tip will dry out and die off. This encourages new growth to occur. Air pruning results in a denser root composition which promotes healthy growth and development.

Keep in mind that the soil in fabric pots dry out faster compared to the soil in plastic pots. This makes it difficult to over water your plants, but it also means you will end up watering more often.

 

Air Pots

Air Pots are a reasonably new innovation. These pots make use of the same principle as the above-mentioned fabric pots. Air pots are made from plastic but have bumps and holes in the sides that provide automated "air-pruning" for the roots of your cannabis plant. As with fabric pots, you will need to water more often, as these pots can dry out faster than standard pots. Compared to fabric pots, air pots have the advantage of being sturdier and less likely to tip over.

Choosing The Right Container For You

When it comes to pots, the most important thing your cannabis plants need is a safe, healthy place for its roots to develop. Without healthy roots, your cannabis plant won't be able to thrive. The roots are extremely important for your cannabis plant as they are in charge of water retention, nutrient absorption, anchoring the plant, as well as facilitate vegetative growth. When choosing a container, you need to take all these factors into consideration.

 

For a root system to develop and thrive, your cannabis roots will need the following:

 

- Drainage: water retention is very important for healthy plants; without it your plant will wither up and die. But too much water will waterlog your plant which can lead to root rot, killing your plants roots.

 

- Oxygen: Plant roots need oxygen to function properly. Make sure to choose a container that provides enough oxygen for root development without overexposing them to the elements. Containers do this through various styles of perforation.

 

- Nutrients: Your cannabis roots require optimal conditions to absorb nutrients. This includes pH balance, optimal temperatures, and nutrient availability

 

- Space: Roots need lots of space to branch out. A container that is too small will cause the plant to become root bound and can choke the plant.

As mentioned earlier the most common types of pots are plastic pots, ceramic pots, fabric or smart pots and air pots. Now that you know more about each type, it’s time to share some pros and cons of each container so that you are better able to choose the best container for your plants.

 

Plastic Pots

Pros:

- Inexpensive and easy to find

- Solid drainage (easy to add more holes if need be)

- Transplanting is easy

 

Cons:

- May have airflow issues depending on the grow medium and perforation

 

Ceramic Pots

Pros:

- Absorbs moisture and retains lower temperatures during hotter days

- Heavy weight helps anchor larger plants

 

Cons:

- Less than optimal drainage. You can possibly drill holes into clay pots, but it requires special tools and is labour intensive

- Heavy weight makes it difficult to transport plants

 

Fabric Pots

Pros:

- Promotes dense and healthy root systems

- Increases airflow to the roots

- Helps prevent plants from becoming root bound by air pruning from the sides

- Great drainage ideal for carefully maintained gardens

 

Cons:

- Requires more attention and maintenance as the pots dry out quickly. Keep in mind you can use larger pots to help slow drying out

- Flimsy structure can make plant support challenging

 

Air Pots

Pros:

- More oxygen to the roots

- Helps prevent plants from becoming root bound by air pruning from the sides

 

Cons:

- Water can seep through side so make sure you have a proper sized tray or saucer under each container

 

Keep Plants Separate

You will ideally want one container for each plant, this prevents competition amongst roots and allows you to care individually for each of your plants. If the soil in one of the containers becomes contaminated or waterlogged, then the rest of your cannabis plants won't suffer.

 

Drainage Holes

Unless you can gauge exactly how much water your plants need, it is always best to buy a container with holes/perforations in the bottom of it. This helps any excess water to run out of the container which will help to decrease the chance of root rot.

 

How To Catch Water Runoff

All containers will have perforation/drainage holes in plastic pots or side bumps with holes on air pots to help provide the roots with oxygen and efficient drainage so that the plant does not become waterlogged. You will therefore need something to catch the water runoff from flowing all over your grow area. The two most popular ways of catching runoff water in small containers are:

 

- Individual saucers for each container

- Trays to catch runoff from more than one container