I get it, plastic planters are kind of cheap and tacky. I know this because I see gorgeous high-end pots and planters all the time while I’m working. It always leaves me with a bit of the I wants and I really would love to throw fiscal responsibility out the window but I can’t.
Last year I managed to eke another year from some of my planters by spray-painting them, but they were starting to look pretty shabby again. One even had a hole cracked just under the rim which would have made watering a pain in the ass.
I’ve also considered DIYing some planters. I even bought fiberglass resin and cloth along with two cans of spray paint – that cost $70 and I didn’t even have anything to use as a frame yet. I reconsidered that plan and returned the supplies.
So with the planting season right around the corner and plant samples already scheduled to arrive I ended up going to Wal-Mart and buying the dark brown planters I used for my Dramatic White & Black planters.
For now, I just remind myself that there are good reasons to use plastic planters.
Plastic Pots are economical
I’ve always felt that when it comes to planters, bigger is better.
- Bigger pots hold more soil so they don’t need water as often.
- Bigger pots are less likely to tip over in the wind. I used to have huge hibiscus trees (back when my yard still got a little sun) that I was able to overwinter in a greenhouse. They were enormous plants (shrubs really) so they needed enormous pots to keep them upright.
- Bigger pots hold more plants. With bigger pots I can cram in a lot more foliage plants and go for a lusher look.
The bigger the pot, the more money it will cost. By going with plastic pots my 20″ planters were just under $10 each and I have four of them. A ceramic planter of the same size would run closer to $60 each.
Plastic Pots are easier to store
I have one 10 x 8 shed to store everything. The Christmas Trees, the Shop Vac, my tools, my son’s tools, our lawnmower, power washer, weed trimmer and all the other stuff that goes with home and vehicle ownership. Plastic pots are easy to nest without damage. Ceramic isn’t. Some of my pots don’t even make it to the shed – I just tuck them dirt and all under the deck for the winter and they’re ready for the next season.
Plastic Pots are lightweight
Along with bigger comes heavier. Even using plastic my large planters are heavy enough, I don’t want to consider how heavy the equivalent would be in ceramic.
Plastic Pots are durable
They’re durable enough to last a few years and if by chance one does get broke they’re cheap enough that it won’t break my heart.
Eventually I would love to have nice unique planters, but for now there are just too many other things around here clamoring for my money to sweat it out over not having expensive planters.
