Orchids are lovely, exotic plants that can make any room, indoors or out, look more elegant and interesting. Still, there are some things you need to think about when you grow orchids, especially the pots you use. Orchids can be grown in any kind of pot, but clear plastic orchid pots are the best because they have a lot of benefits that make them ideal for growing these beautiful flowers.
Why Orchids Need Specialized Pots
Orchids have very different needs than your average houseplant. In nature, most orchid species grow epiphytically – meaning they attach their root systems to trees rocks or other surfaces rather than rooting in soil. Their roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and debris around them. This gives orchid roots a large role in providing the structure and support the plants need to grow. Additionally, orchid roots require ample air circulation and prefer indirect sunlight.
It’s important to try to keep orchids’ natural conditions as close as possible when you grow them in pots. A dense, wet potting mix will suffocate orchid roots and make them rot. A pot that doesn’t let air flow, on the other hand, will stop growth. Clear plastic pots keep orchid roots healthy by letting the right amount of water stay in, water drain away, and air flow through.
Benefits of Clear Plastic Orchid Pots
Here are some of the top reasons clear plastic pots are ideal for orchids:
Excellent Drainage and Airflow
Clear plastic orchid pots are designed with extra large drainage holes. This allows excess water to easily drain out of the pot, preventing the roots from getting waterlogged. The porous plastic also improves air circulation around the roots and potting mix. Proper drainage and airflow promotes healthy, vibrant root structures.
Light Penetration
The transparent sides of clear orchid pots allow light to reach the roots and potting substrate. Orchids thrive with indirect sunlight reaching their root zone. This light exposure helps stimulate root growth and development. With traditional opaque pots, the roots remain in darkness.
Visibility
The see-through plastic lets you check the plant’s water level and root growth without touching it. When the potting mix stays too wet or gets too dry, it’s easy to tell. If you notice these moisture problems right away, you can fix them and get your orchid back on track.
Variety of Sizes
Clear orchid pots come in a wide range of sizes, from 2 inches up to 10 inches or larger. This allows you to easily match the pot size to the orchid’s root system and growth stage. Proper pot size is key for orchid health. Pots that are too large can lead to wet substrate while pots too small can restrict growth.
Promotes Establishment
For new orchid plants or recent re-pottings, clear pots help the roots settle in and establish faster. Being able to see the roots helps ensure you are watering properly while the new plant adjusts. The transparency also lets you visually monitor root growth and new shoot development.
Allows Potting Media Observation
You can see the potting mix breaking down because the sides are clear. When it’s time to repot, seeing the substrate can help you decide. Checking for breakdown can also help you figure out if the potting mix you’re using is right for your type of orchid.
Choose the Right Clear Orchid Pot
While all clear plastic orchid pots have similar benefits, there are some variations to consider when selecting the best pots for your orchids.
Material
-
Plastic – Classic transparent plastic pots are lightweight, durable and the most affordable option. Go for plastic that is food-safe and BPA-free.
-
Glass – For an upscale look, glass orchid pots add a contemporary touch but are more delicate. Ensure glass pots have drainage holes.
-
Acrylic – Acrylic orchid pots offer high clarity like glass but are much more impact resistant. Go for UV-stabilized acrylics.
Style
-
Classic Cylinder Shape – The straight sides and flat bottom of classic plastic orchid pots offer versatility. These work great for potting mixes.
-
Teku Pots – Teku pots have an angular teardrop shape that naturally promotes drainage and airflow. The sloped sides also give roots more room.
-
Squared – For a modern look, square and rectangular clear orchid pots provide ample drainage and airflow.
-
Orchid Baskets – Open plastic baskets allow maximum exposure. Use these with mounted orchids or loose media like moss or bark.
Size
-
Small (2-4 inches) – Best for juvenile orchids, mini varieties or tight spaces.
-
Medium (5-6 inches) – Ideal for maturing orchids like Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum.
-
Large (8+ inches) – Allows growing room for large specimen orchids like Cattleya, Dendrobium and Vanda.
-
Multi-Packs – For convenience, multi-packs give you an assortment of sizes for re-potting needs.
When selecting clear orchid pots, be sure to use them in conjunction with a coarse, free-draining potting material like fir bark, moss, perlite, or hydroponic clay pebbles. Pairing plastic orchid pots with dense potting soil will defeat the purpose of their excellent drainage.
Give Your Orchids the Advantage
By understanding what makes clear plastic pots ideal for orchids, you can pick the perfect vessels to help your plants thrive indoors or in the greenhouse. The visibility, airflow, drainage and light exposure offered by clear pots provide orchid roots with the environment they need to stay healthy in captivity. Take advantage of the many clear pot options available to create an orchid paradise tailored to your unique space and plants.
Clear Orchid Pots Let’s You See the Orchid’s Roots
Another reason orchid growers like clear pots are that the health of the roots can also be easily ascertained. Brown and mushy are dead, overwatered roots. Wet roots are bright green. Silvery roots are healthy, but not wet. Green or red root tips are healthy.
I like to use RePotMe‘s clear pots because they are heavy-duty and have lots of slots that provide air circulation to the orchid’s roots and water drainage.
Putting the plastic pot in a second pot will help the orchid stay stable because plastic is light and orchids tend to be top-heavy. Additionally, you can choose an attractive outer pot, enhancing the overall appearance of your orchid. The grower will then have to take the plant out of its outer pot to check on the roots and potting mix. Together, the plastic inner pot and the ceramic out pot create form and function.
Glazed Pottery and Ceramic Orchid Pots
There are so many beautiful pots that it is hard to resist using these to house our orchids. There is something very special about a piece of hand-thrown pottery. It’s art. Unlike a terracotta or a plastic pot, pottery can be pricey.
Decorative orchid pots can be used as a secondary pot with clear plastic housing the orchid, making it easy to inspect the roots and the moisture content. I like the base of the pottery to be narrower than the plastic pot so that the plastic pot sits above the base of the pottery. This keeps the orchid’s roots out of the water and lets the extra water drain out of the plastic pot into the second pot.
Best Pots for Growing Orchids – Do You Need Special Orchid Pots?
FAQ
Should orchids be in clear plastic pots?
plant them that way; they can grow in clear pots, but a plastic pot can work if you want to give them a little extra edge.” September 10, 2021
Should orchids be kept in plastic containers?
Don’t Toss the Plastic Container An orchid should ideally live and grow in a plastic or terra-cotta grow pot. Turner says that pots for orchids must have drainage holes or slits in the bottom so that the plant’s feet don’t get soggy.
Do orchids prefer tall or wide pots?
Orchids with lots of roots need larger pots, but the problem is that larger pots are usually deeper, which means the center can be poorly ventilated and basically be a dead zone for the roots. Wide shallower pots can fit larger root systems but still dry out at a reasonable rate.
Do orchids prefer plastic or clay pots?
Plastic pots are best for growers that forget to water or travel a lot and neglect their orchids.