Different types of containers are used for cultivating indoor plants. The containers may be pots, bowls, dishes, baskets or troughs. The containers can be specially chosen to suit individual plants.
Pots may be of earthen, glazed clay, china clay, brass, copper, glass, porcelain, plastic, cement, cane and many other materials.
These may be round, oval, elliptical, cone, rectangular, square, oblong, hexagonal, and octagonal or any other shape.
Earthenware pots are less expensive and being porous provides better aeration of the soil than plastic or ceramic pots.
Plastic, nonporous pots are ideal for plants which flourish in moist compost. Watering is needed less frequently in plastic pots than in clay pots.
New clay pots should be soaked in water for several hours before use.
All pots should have drainage hole at the bottom and should be kept on plastic or glazed ceramic saucer to collect water and protect the surface underneath.
When a plant appears to be pot bound i.e., roots are growing through drainage hole it should be repotted in late spring or early rains.
The container with plant can be placed in another larger and more attractive container.
While choosing plant supports and containers, care should be taken that they match with the interior furnishing, the plant form and size and do not adversely affect plant growth.
For example, a small plant in a large container or vice versa is most unimpressive. Similarly, a Victorian pedestal does not enhance the beauty of a small room.
Pot stands of different designs and sizes and made of iron, cane or even bamboo or excellent plant supports which can be matched to any modern décor of a room are desirable.
Most indoor plants can do without supports. Large ornamental varieties, such as ficus, need some kind of support.
Plastic supports are popular and durable, bamboo and wooden sticks are also used. Climbing types, like Scindapsus, Syngonium, Philodendron, Nonstera require strong support. Wooden or plastic rods covered with Sphagnum moss are best to induce rooting from the nodes and for support.
Climbers with tendrils or twiners may be trained on trellis.
Brass or copper receptacles, which become hot quickly in summer, are not suitable for growing plants in tropical climate.
Large plants may be grown in cement or wooden barrels or planters.
The wooden planters should preferably have castors for easy movement whenever required.
The pots or containers may be plain or ornamental in design, depending upon the interior furnishings of the room with which these should harmonize in colour as well as in texture.
A group of pots may be placed on a metal tray. The water drip after watering will collect in these platters and trays.
It would be better to stand the pots on a block of wood or on pebbles and stones in the platter to avoid direct and constant contact of plants with water which is harmful for the growth of plants.
Besides it also provides adequate humidity to plants, particularly during summer.
The potted plants kept on stands or wall brackets should be watered carefully by placing a tray or dish below them for collection of excess water.
Reed or cane basket or baskets of round, rectangular or hexangonal shape made of wood, cloth or raw silk can also be used.
The plant stands and wall baskets may hold a single pot or more.
The drooping plants are ideal for growing in wall brackets.
A tea trolley is commonly used for keeping small pots.
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