![]() ![]() Fiberglass containers are molded from a viscous polymer laced with fiberglass strands, which lend strength to the thin liquid, allowing for clearer details and textures than those possible with plastic. Much like the new breed of plastics, fiberglass has an uncanny ability to look like terra-cotta, cast stone, or even metal. Pros: Wide range of colors and styles moderate weather resistanceĬons: Clay is susceptible to weathering breakable heavy Fiberglass looks as good as the real thing Like their unglazed cousins, these pots are heavy even when empty and will break if dropped. The terra-cotta is still exposed on the inside of the pot, so some winter protection is required. When glaze is baked onto the outer surface, it seals the exterior of the pot, making it even more resilient. But glazed terra-cotta tends to hold up better to weathering than regular terra-cotta because the clay is baked at higher temperatures, resulting in stronger, less-permeable pots better suited to handling changes in weather. These pots are actually just typical terra-cotta covered in a glaze. With such a wide variety of colors available, glazed pots can be integrated into nearly any setting and are purchased primarily for their bold good looks. COLORCAST STONEWARE CRACKPros: Natural and classic look lends itself to almost any setting porous nature of clay encourages good drainageĬons: Can crack if frozen or dropped plantings will need to be watered more often than with other materials heavy Glazed terra-cotta is all about color ![]() For a high-quality pot that will last for years, look for an even, reddish brown hue and thick walls. Terra-cotta baked at higher temperatures is the most durable because the clay becomes harder and less permeable. Also, if water remains in the clay during freezing weather, the pot can flake and crack. However, this can also cause the soil to dry out quickly, which means more watering. The porous nature of this earth-based medium allows air and water to pass through the walls of the pot this promotes healthy plants by staving off root rot and disease caused by overwatering. Terra-cotta pots are made from baked clay. ![]() The downsides of this material are that it is heavy, breakable, and vulnerable to cold weather. Terra-cotta’s classic look is what many other materials attempt to re-create. Terra-cotta is a classic but can be fragile Wondering which pot in the photo above is terra-cotta, which is fiberglass, and which is plastic? Scroll to the bottom of this page to find out. Deciding which one of the three options is the real thing isn’t as easy as you might think. The classic look and aesthetic appeal of terra-cotta, for instance, is often duplicated in fiberglass or plastic. With recent advances in manufacturing, container material options are more diverse than ever. Here’s a closer look at the variety of container materials available. The climate in your area and your brute strength are factors to consider as well. I’ve come to realize that looks aren’t the only thing to consider when choosing a container. ![]() These days, you can find synthetic pots that look just like real terra-cotta, stone, or metal at a comparable price. But I’ve learned the hard way that not all container materials are created equal.Įach year, after dragging the last oppressively heavy pot around my garden, I vow that I will invest in lighter pots or in those that can withstand my climate so that I don’t have to move them if I don’t want to. Many years of planting container gardens have left me with quite a collection of pots: some glazed, some terra-cotta, one or two concrete-all beautiful in their own way. My name is Danielle, and I’m a potaholic.” Maybe then the staff would save me from myself. Every time I step across the threshold of another garden center in search of a new container, I feel like I should proclaim, “Hello. ![]()
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