top of page

From Dull to Delightful: Mastering Terracotta Pot Care for Your Indoor Plants!

Writer's picture:  Priyanka Babu Priyanka Babu

Planning on starting an Indoor Garden? If so, then terracotta pots might be on your list to check out. Terracotta pots are porous eco-friendly clay pots that are cost-effective and a great aid to your indoor planting desires. How? These clay pots for indoor plants provide more air circulation, prevent overwatering and root rotting. The Indoor terracotta pots are most suitable for plants that like dry climates such as snake plants, succulents, cacti, monstera, Ficus, philodendrons etc. By implementing the care and maintenance techniques outlined here, you can effectively prevent the spread of pests and diseases amongst your pet plants.

Five small succulent plants in terracotta pots sitting on a white wooden table against a light gray background. The succulents are varying shades of green and have thick, fleshy leaves. The pots have a textured surface and are filled with brown soil. The image is well-lit with natural light
Thriving in an indoor garden


Advantages of using Terracotta Pots for Indoor Plants


An image of someone pouring water from a clear plastic water bottle onto a green leafy plant with a brown soil-filled pot. The water is being poured slowly and directly onto the soil to ensure proper watering. The background is out of focus, but appears to be a plant-filled area with greenery and foliage visible.
Proper hydration is key to keeping your plants happy and healthy.

The advantages provided by terracotta are mainly due to its porous nature. To begin with, it provides air circulation and prevents overwatering. All forms of clay love water and terracotta is no different. Surplus water that remains even after the absorption by the clay, will flow out through the drainage holes. Even if your pot does not have a drainage hole at the bottom, the clay will expel the excess water by itself due to its porous nature. It would be a great idea to keep a plate underneath to collect this water and prevent your floor from becoming dirty. Additionally, its porous nature also ensures the regulation of soil moisture while root rotting can be entirely avoided. You can also paint and decorate the terracotta pots to your heart’s desire.




Choosing the right Terracotta Pot for your Indoor Plant



An image of a person holding a small pink terracotta pot in their hand, which contains a green plant with several stems and leaves. The person's hand is visible, but their face is not. The background is out of focus, but appears to be a natural setting with greenery and foliage visible.
Adding a pop of color to your indoor garden with this lovely pink terracotta pot! Don't be afraid to have some fun with your planters

There are three main areas that you need to decide on before you choose which terracotta pot to buy. Firstly, you need to consider the size of your plant to determine the planter size. If you are planting seeds that can grow into tall plants with an extensive root system, do not buy a small pot.


Remember the drainage holes? The plants could become root bound and it would be considerably difficult to replant them into a bigger pot, especially if the roots grow out through the drainage holes.


Lastly, it is important to check the quality of the pots. For this, you can perform an easy test before you buy. Turn your pot upside down on a flat surface and then place your thumb or any finger over the drainage hole at the bottom. Then tap the rim of your pot with a metal object like a spoon or a screwdriver. A good quality pot will have a nice ring to it. This is because of the high temperature in which it is fried.



Proper care and maintenance for Terracotta Pots


The number one rule of using terracotta pots is that you have to let it soak in water overnight before you put the plant in. As mentioned before, terracotta loves water, so you do not want it to steal the water meant for your plants. Remember to water your plants more frequently as well. After some time passes, you will probably notice that there are some new colourful layers added to your pots’ natural brown colour. Some people love this patina look. They argue that there would not be anyone who would dislike a piece of vintage in their home. But others, go the extra mile to get rid of all of the colours to make it plain brown once again. For that, you need to, first of all, remove your plant from the pot altogether and dry it. Drying the pot and the dirt in it helps to get rid of the loose dirt faster. Then, you need to soak it in a vinegar and water mixture with a ratio of 1 part vinegar and four parts water. This will take away all of the white layer, which is the accumulation of minerals, of the pots while also sanitizing it for the new plants (in case you’re planning on putting a new plant into it). If the problem persists, then use a baking soda and water mixture of the same 1:4 ratio. The final step is to soak it in a mixture consisting of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. This will help remove any fungus. You might have heard that terracotta pots are prone to cracking and it is quite true unless you take proper care of it. The best tip is to always keep it in a climate-controlled area, otherwise, in extreme temperatures, the clay will expand and contract, resulting in severely weakened pores, though you can also seal in the small cracks with Epoxy which will help prevent more breakage.

An image of a stack of four terracotta pots covered in green moss and debris. The pots are various sizes and shapes, with textured surfaces and drainage holes at the bottom. The image is well-lit with natural light and the background is out of focus, but appears to be a garden or outdoor setting with greenery visible.
These beautiful moss-covered terracotta pots may look charming, but it's important to give them a good cleaning before using them for your indoor garden.


Common Mistakes to Avoid with Terracotta Pots for Indoor Plants



An image of a cracked terracotta pot sitting in the corner of a room. The pot is of medium size and has a visible crack that runs from the rim to the bottom. There are remnants of soil and debris inside the pot. The background is out of focus, but appears to be a room with a wall and floor visible.
Terracotta pots are durable and long-lasting, but sometimes accidents happen.

When you move on to choosing your terracotta pot, the very first suggestion that we can give you is to kindly not buy the terracotta saucer that comes with Indoor terracotta pots and save yourself the trouble of cleaning the area around the saucer because as you probably understood by now, terracotta is porous; This means the saucer is going to leak. The second suggestion is to not let the clay be exposed to extreme temperatures, because it will expand and contract which will in turn lead to cracks. In case your terracotta pots have drainage holes, to avoid the soil being drained out along with the water, make sure that you use a coffee filter mesh which is to be put inside the pot before planting. This is not necessary for pots without drainage holes.




How to Decorate with Terracotta Pots for Indoor Plants


Decorating terracotta pots is a fun and creative way to add personality and style to your indoor space and plants. Here are a few ideas to help you get started on transforming a simple pot into a unique and eye-catching decoration.


Painting: Painting your pots is a fun and easy DIY project that can give your pots a new look and feel. However, it's important to use the right type of paint and prepare the surface properly to ensure the paint adheres well and lasts. Explore different types of paint and materials like tape, stencils and styles of painting, and ensure that you protect your work of art with the appropriate sealant.



Decoupage: For those who don’t want to paint, decoupage is a fun and creative way to decorate your terracotta pots. It involves cutting out pictures or designs from paper or fabric and glueing them onto the surface of the pot, creating a unique and personalized look. Decoupage allows you to showcase your creativity while adding a touch of elegance to your indoor garden Additionally you can upcycle old fabric lying around the house.




Gold leafing: Gold leafing is an elegant way to decorate terracotta pots. It involves applying a thin layer of gold leaf onto the surface of the pot using adhesive. The result is a beautiful and shiny finish that adds a touch of glamour to any indoor plant display.



Mosaic tiles: If you're feeling adventurous, mosaic tiles are the way to go. This is a great way to add colour and texture to your pots without painting. You can use broken pieces of ceramic tile, glass, or even seashells to create your design. Apply a layer of tile adhesive to the pot and arrange the pieces in your desired pattern. Once it dries, you can grout the tiles and seal the pot.



Macrame : Macrame is an amazing technique to add a touch of boho-chic to your indoor gardening setup. You can use it to hang your pots from the ceiling or create a skirt for your pot, adding an extra layer of texture and interest to your décor.




Terracotta pots, with their vintage and colourful aesthetic appeal, can enhance the beauty of any space and are therefore an excellent choice for indoor gardening. The use of terracotta pots is an effective way to prevent overwatering, as well as to protect your plants from pests, diseases, and root rot. Although taking care of these pots may require some time and effort, it is a task that only needs to be done occasionally. If you follow the steps given here, I am certain that you can have a thriving indoor garden free of worry and of losing your precious plants. The greatest point about using indoor terracotta pots is that you can even personalize them to your tastes while being environmentally friendly. They are amazing for your plants’ growth and if they had voices, they would thank you for it.

296 views0 comments

Comments


Join our mailing list

Thanks for subscribing!

OUR STORE

Business Name: Thandar's Garden
Email: thandarsgarden@gmail.com
Phone: 9947069799
Street address: A3, Lotus Gardens, S N Vidyapeetam Road
Country: India
State/region: Kerala
City: Kochi
ZIP/postal code: 682301

SUPPORT

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Thandar's Garden

bottom of page