Are Clay Planters Better Than Plastic?

Are Clay Planters Better Than Plastic?

Clay planters are pretty garden staples and look great come rain or shine and age beautifully. Plastic planters can provide equally beautiful displays while offering protection during hot and dry weather.

So which planter is the better one for your garden?

Clay planters have their benefits and almost every garden will have a clay pot tucked away somewhere. Clays (especially glazed pots) can offer magnificent colors and pretty patterns that are almost unmatched by other pots. But can they stand the heat of summer or cold winters?

Clay is porous and breathes which means that it can absorb water when it is readily available. This also means that it can lose water as well when things start drying up outside. What goes in must come out!

While clay pots are garden staples and just gorgeous to look at, their biggest detractor is that during winter time they run the risk of freezing whenever the temperatures drop.

Their porous nature can cause the pots to crack when the pot is saturated with water. This of course, is only if the temperatures get too cold. This is the main reason why it is recommended to store these pots empty or indoors during near freezing weather.

Plastic on the other hand is not porous and runs no risk of freezing during bad weather. The deterrent to purchasing plastic planters is in their lack of durability. They are likely to break or chip and much more likely to lose their luster when exposed to direct sun repeatedly. This can result in a worn and old looking planter.

On the bright side, they are great for moving around because they are less likely to weigh as much as larger clay pots. They can also be painted with special plastic paint to suit your tastes and garden decor.

When choosing a pot you need to consider how harsh your winter season is and if you want to move your clay pots indoors if you are facing a freeze. If you purchase plastic, eventually the colors will look washed out and unkempt, but you have no risk of the planter drying out (unless you never water it).