Pot Matchmaker: How to Choose the Right Pot (So Your Plant Actually Thrives)

Choosing a pot isn’t just about looks, it’s one of the easiest ways to set your plant up for success.

The right size helps roots grow properly, drainage prevents the most common watering mistakes, and the material can make care simpler (especially indoors). If you’ve ever had a plant “randomly” decline after repotting, the pot choice is often the hidden reason.

Use this quick guide to pick the best pot for what you’re planting, where it’ll live, and how you like to care for it.

Step 1: Pick the right size (fast method)

This is the quickest way to avoid the #1 repotting problem: going too big too fast.

Measure your current pot (top width)

Then choose:

• Upsizing a houseplant: go +1–2 inches wider than the current pot
  (Example: 6" → 8")

• Fast grower / very rootbound: go +2–4 inches wider
  (Example: 6" → 10")

Why “too big” is a problem indoors

A pot that’s too large holds extra wet soil the roots can’t use yet. That often leads to:

• overwatering symptoms (yellowing, droop)

• fungus gnats

• root rot

Rule of thumb: it’s usually better to repot one size up, let roots fill in, then upsize again later.

Step 2: Drainage matters (more than most people think)

If you remember one thing from this blog, let it be this:

A pot without drainage is a risk.

Drainage holes give excess water somewhere to go, which protects roots from sitting in soggy soil.

If there’s no drainage hole:

You have two good options:

1. Use it as a cachepot
   Keep your plant in a plastic nursery pot inside, then slide it into the decorative pot.
   ✅ Easiest option for indoor plants.

2. Add drainage (if the material allows)
   Some plastic pots can be drilled; many decorative ceramics can’t without the right tools.

Pro tip: clear/slotted orchid-style pots are amazing for plants that like airflow or for anyone who tends to overwater.

Step 3: Match the pot material to your care style

Different pots change how fast soil dries out. This can make plant care either easier… or harder.

Here’s your cheat sheet.

Clay Pots (Terracotta)

Best for: plants that like to dry out between waterings
Why people love them: breathable + classic look + naturally helps prevent overwatering

✅ Great for:

• succulents

• cacti

• herbs

• plants prone to root rot

⚠️ Heads-up:

• dries out faster, so you may water more often

• can get mineral marks (normal, not a problem)

• can crack if left outdoors wet in freezing temps

DCN Plastics (Lightweight Plastic)

Best for: everyday planting + practical gardening
Why it works: lightweight, durable, budget-friendly, and holds moisture longer than clay

✅ Great for:

• most houseplants

• patio planters

• nursery pots and “potting up”

• seed-starting and growing on indoors

⚠️ Heads-up:

• always confirm it has drainage holes (or add them where possible)

• moisture stays longer, so don’t water on autopilot

Bonus: self-watering/reservoir styles are perfect if you travel or forget watering.

Ecopots (Eco-Friendly + Modern)

Best for: clean style + long-lasting outdoor use
Why people love them: sleek look, sturdy feel, built for good drainage and durability

✅ Great for:

• indoor styling (minimal, modern spaces)

• patios and porch planters

• anyone who wants a “buy it once” pot

⚠️ Heads-up:

• still match size to plant, bigger isn’t always better

• check if you need a saucer indoors depending on the model

Veradek (Statement Planters)

Best for: curb appeal + outdoor impact
Why they shine: modern, premium look, especially for entrances and large plants

✅ Great for:

• porch planters

• shrubs and small trees

• seasonal arrangements

• creating height and structure at doorways and patios

⚠️ Heads-up:

• make sure large planters have drainage

• consider weight and placement before filling (soil gets heavy fast)

Quick “Pot Matchmaker” Guide (choose your match)

Pick the sentence that sounds most like you:

• “I tend to overwater.” → Go terracotta or a slotted/airy pot, and always use drainage.

• “I forget to water.” → Go plastic or reservoir/self-watering styles.

• “It’s for outdoors and I want it to last.” → Go Ecopots or Veradek, with proper drainage.

• “It’s a decorative pot but I don’t want risk.” → Use it as a cachepot with a nursery pot inside.

• “My plant is rootbound and exploding.” → Size up 2–4 inches and consider a sturdier pot.

One last pro tip

If outdoor planting is still weeks away (or your plant is stuck inside for winter), it’s usually better to pot up once than to let a plant struggle in a container it’s outgrown. A little extra root room at the right time = faster recovery and stronger growth.

Need help matching a plant to the perfect pot?

Bring your plant in (or just tell us the pot size and plant name) and we’ll help you choose the right size, drainage option, and material, so it looks good and grows well.