🪴 Pots & Decorative pots
🌱 Practical tips
🪴 In brief — essential rules
Size: always 2–3 cm larger than the root ball (4–5 cm for large plants) · Drainage: holes required except in decorative pots · Material: ceramic or plastic for water-loving plants, terracotta for those that like to dry out · Decorative pot: always empty after watering
The pot is much more than a decorative accessory — it directly affects your plant’s health. A poorly sized pot or one without drainage is one of the leading causes of indoor plant death. Here’s everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Which pot size to choose?
The basic rule: the pot should be 2 to 3 cm wider than the root ball diameter for a small plant, and 4 to 5 cm for a large one. The most common mistake is choosing a pot that’s too big "so the plant has room to grow." This is counterproductive: excess soil around the roots retains water and causes rot.
⚠️ Pot too large = rotting roots
In an oversized pot, soil not colonized by roots stays constantly moist. Result: mold, root rot, yellow leaves. Follow the 2–3 cm rule and repot gradually one size at a time.
How to measure the root ball?
Gently remove the plant from its current pot. Measure the diameter of the root ball at its widest point. Add 2 to 5 cm depending on the size of the plant — this is the ideal pot diameter for the next repotting.
Drainage: why it’s rule number one
Without drainage holes, water stagnates at the bottom of the pot, deprives roots of oxygen, and creates an environment favorable to fungi and bacteria. This is the number one cause of indoor plant death — far ahead of underwatering.
💡 The drainage layer: useful or myth?
Adding clay balls or gravel to the bottom of a pierced pot is helpful — it prevents the soil from clogging the hole and improves air circulation. However, in a holeless pot, this layer does not create real drainage: the water still ends up stagnating, just a little lower. There is no substitute for drainage holes.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Perforated growing pot + saucer | Ideal — empty the saucer 30 minutes after watering |
| Perforated growing pot inside a decorative pot without hole | Perfect — check and empty the decorative pot after each watering |
| Decorative pot without hole (direct planting) | Not recommended — root rot almost inevitable over time |
| Pot without hole with thick drainage layer | Only tolerable for very lightly watered plants (cactus, succulents) and with extreme sparing |
Which material to choose for your plant?
The pot material directly influences watering frequency and root living conditions. It’s not just about aesthetics.
Glazed ceramic does not breathe — it retains moisture for a long time, which is ideal for water-loving tropical plants. Durable and decorative, it suits most common indoor plants.
✔ For: Calathea, Maranta, Ferns, Spathiphyllum, Anthurium. Available at Verdeia: Gabriel ochre, Relief white, Relief blue, Relief pink.
Unglazed terracotta is porous — moisture evaporates through the walls, which prevents constant overwatering. Ideal for species that hate sitting in water. Requires more frequent watering in summer.
✔ For: Cactus, succulents, Yucca, Dracaena, Lavender, Rosebush. To pair with pots & decorative pots.
Recycled plastic is lightweight, practical, and retains moisture well. Elho pots are made 100% from wind energy with recycled materials — a consistent choice for plants that like to stay moist. Available in many colors.
✔ For: Pothos, Philodendron, Monstera, shade plants. Ranges: Brussels Round, Vibes Fold, Jazz Round.
Rattan, jute, or natural fiber baskets are used exclusively as decorative pots — never in direct contact with wet substrate. They allow air circulation and add a warm natural touch. To be lined with a perforated plastic pot inside.
✔ Style: Bohemian, natural, tropical. Available: Selin natural basket, Borneo gray, Jorck black, natural fiber collection.
Fabric decorative pot bags are ideal for light hangers or small spaces. They fit all pot sizes and add a soft, casual touch. Use only as decorative pots, never in direct contact with the substrate.
✔ Style: casual, Scandinavian, Bohemian. Available: jade, terracotta, ochre, powder pink, blue gray.
Composite pots imitate stone or concrete with much less weight. Ideal for large plants where a real stoneware pot would be too heavy to move. Very contemporary matte finish.
✔ Style: contemporary, minimalist, industrial. Available: Capi Groove taupe, Capi Skin anthracite, Mayk lead.
Growing pot vs decorative pot: how to combine them well
The distinction is fundamental and often misunderstood. The growing pot (usually plastic, perforated) contains the plant with its substrate. The decorative pot is purely decorative — it holds the growing pot without direct contact with the soil.
- Never let water stagnate in the decorative pot — always empty it 30 minutes after watering
- Choose a decorative pot at least 2 cm wider in diameter than the growing pot to make removal and replacement easier
- Regularly check that the bottom of the growing pot is not soaking in accumulated water
- For hanging plants, choose a decorative pot with an integrated saucer to avoid drips
💡 The double pot trick for watering
Take the growing pot out of its decorative pot, water until water flows freely through the holes, let it drain for 15–30 minutes, then place it back in the decorative pot. This method ensures even watering without the risk of stagnation. To control watering frequency, use the finger test.
Choose according to your interior style
The most common mistakes with pots
| Mistake | Consequence | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Pot too large | Constantly wet substrate, root rot | +2 to 5 cm maximum diameter compared to the root ball |
| No drainage holes | Root suffocation and rot | Always a perforated pot, or decorative pot emptied after watering |
| Decorative pot not emptied | Roots soaking in stagnant water | Always empty 30 minutes after watering |
| Basket or fabric bag in contact with wet substrate | Mold on the basket, constant humidity | Always double with a perforated plastic pot inside |
| Repotting in the same pot without cleaning | Transmission of pests or fungi | Clean and disinfect the pot between uses |
| Changing pots during full bloom or in the middle of summer | Water stress, flower bud drop | Repot in spring, before growth resumes |
Frequently Asked Questions
The pot should be 2 to 3 cm wider than the diameter of the root ball for a small plant, and 4 to 5 cm for a large one. A pot that is too large retains excess water and encourages root rot. A pot that is too small suffocates the roots and speeds up drying out. Check out our complete repotting guide to choose the right time.
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Without holes, water stagnates at the bottom of the pot, depriving the roots of oxygen and creating an environment that promotes rot. The only valid exception: decorative pots without holes used alongside a perforated growing pot — provided they are emptied after each watering.
The growing pot (usually plastic, perforated) holds the plant and soil directly. The decorative pot is purely decorative — it holds the growing pot without direct contact with the soil. Empty the decorative pot after watering to prevent the plant from sitting in stagnant water.
Unglazed terracotta is ideal: porous, it lets excess moisture evaporate through the walls. Perfect for cacti, succulents, Yucca, and other species that hate sitting in water. However, it requires more frequent watering in summer because the soil dries faster.
It’s not recommended unless the decorative pot has holes. Without drainage, you can’t control excess water and root rot becomes inevitable over time. If you want to plant directly in a container without holes, add a generous drainage layer (clay pebbles, gravel) and water very sparingly. The risk remains high.
No fixed rule — repot when the plant needs it, not on a schedule. Signs include roots growing out of drainage holes, soil drying unusually fast, slowed growth despite good conditions. On average, a healthy growing plant needs repotting every 1 to 3 years. Check our repotting guide for all the signs to watch for.
Only use as a decorative pot, never in direct contact with wet soil. Rattan and jute degrade quickly with constant moisture and can develop mold. Always double your basket with a perforated plastic pot inside. Discover our selection: natural fiber & rattan.
Pots & Decorative pots
Find the perfect pot for your plant
Ceramic, rattan, recycled, fabric — a selection designed to blend aesthetics and your plants’ health.
