When deciding which is the best pot for your pothos, there are several factors to consider.
Some of it is purely logical. After all, if you are planning on hanging the pothos, you may need a different pot than if you were going to grow the plant on your bookshelf. And, of course, thinking of the overall look of your room is important too!
But there are other factors that go into choosing the best pot for your pothos that can make a big difference in whether or not your plant will thrive in its new container.
Let’s take a look at the different containers available and find out which one is the best for your plant.
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What pot is best for pothos?
Pothos can grow in just about any container, as long as it has drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. In fact, this easy-going plant isn’t too picky about the material that the container is made from. With that said, however, there are some pots that work better for pothos than others.
My pick: My recommendation is to get either a terracotta pot or a ceramic pot for your pothos.
Terracotta is ideal for ensuring your plant’s soil isn’t holding too much moisture, avoiding issues like root rot or bacteria, which can kill your plant.
Ceramic pots can do the same and you generally get a greater variety of looks, meaning you’ll definitely find one to suit your home.
1. Ceramic pots
Ceramic pots are perfect for plants that love water and are not bothered when their roots are sometimes wet.
Keep in mind, however, that there are two types of ceramic pots: glazed and unglazed. Most ceramic pots are glazed, which means there is a coat of lacquer inside the pot that helps keep the soil from drying out too fast.
Ceramic is a porous material that can absorb the moisture in the plant’s soil. When the pot is glazed, it prevents the material absorbing any moisture as quickly as if it was unglazed, meaning you won’t need to water it as often – but also increases the risk of accidentally overwatering your pothos.
Unglazed ceramic pots can also be used for pothos, though just keep in mind that you may need to water the plant more than if it was growing in a glazed ceramic container.
Wood-like ceramic pot
This ceramic pot is designed to appear like it’s made of wood and looks incredibly realistic. It’s also unglazed, meaning it’s perfect for avoiding issues relating to overwatering your pothos.
For anyone going for a more rustic look in their home, this is a great choice.
White embossed ceramic pot
These white embossed ceramic pots are a great alternative to having a more simple white pot. Instead, you get these great designs with a slight gold accent to really lift a room.
They would suit almost any space, whether you prefer sleek minimalism or a more colorful decor, with these pots being almost a calming oasis in a sea of other colors.
Patterned sand-bottomed ceramic pot
This set of patterned ceramic pots have just enough flair to take your bookshelf, side table or other surface to the next level without being over the top. In particular, light wooden colors are coming back into fashion now and these offer a great option for keeping your plants’ homes on trend.
They do come in a few different colors (the slate gray set would really stand out in a lighter colored room, for example), although I prefer the sand colored ones because of how they somehow manage to be both calming and cool.
2. Terracotta pots
Terracotta pots are one of the most commonly used containers for plants. Not only are they versatile, but they are also relatively inexpensive and work well for most types of plants. Additionally, terracotta is a perfect option for houseplants such as pothos.
Terracotta, which means baked earth in Italian, is made from coarse and porous clay that has been fired. During the firing process, the clay turns that iconic reddish hue that terracotta is known for.
Most of the time, the terracotta is left unglazed, making it a great choice for anyone concerned about having too much moisture in your pothos’ soil.
White patterned terracotta pots
Just because you’re thinking of putting your pothos in a terracotta pot doesn’t mean you’re only limited to the standard terracotta color. Take a look at these white patterned pots, for example, which still have the burned orangey tone you’re used to – with a twist.
That is, the white pattern offers something beautifully different to help your plant stand out. A number of reviewers also mention how these are top quality, meaning they’ll definitely last as long as your pothos can live in them.
Gold marbled terracotta pots
Want all the benefits of terracotta but with a completely different look? You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that these gold marbled terracotta pots were actually ceramic, but they’re definitely terracotta and they definitely look great.
As a much more modern spin on the standard terracotta pot, you’ll get the dual benefit of your pothos thriving in these and your room looking incredible. They’d also suit an office where the terracotta pot might stand out too much, whereas these offer just the right balance between a great design and being subtle enough for a workplace.
Black and white terracotta pots
For a really cool way to add to your plant collection, take a look at these black and white terracotta pots. You can also get them replacing the black for terracotta color, but I personally love the black here.
The burst of pattern they would add to your side table or shelf is unreal and they’d look gorgeous in any room. At the same time, you can rest easy by putting your pothos in this pot, as it would be more than happy in its snug, funky little home.
3. Plastic pots
Plastic pots are another option for pothos that offer many benefits. Not only are they readily available and rather inexpensive, plastic pots come in a wide array of colors and designs. This means you are sure to find one that fits your unique aesthetic.
A drawback of plastic pots, however, is that they don’t absorb moisture like other pots do. This means that they can hold in more moisture, which could be a bad thing if you overwater the pothos.
FYI: I like using plastic pots when hanging pothos plants. The reason is that hanging plants aren’t always immediately visible so many indoor gardeners find themselves accidentally neglecting these plants slightly (“out of sight, out of mind”). This means that a plastic pot can actually help hold some moisture in if you forget to water your pothos for a few days.
They’re also lighter for mounting on walls or ceilings, which can help to protect your home, especially if you have drywall or hollow plaster.
White striped plastic pots
While sleek white pots like these ones are popular for a reason, there’s always the option of jazzing them up ever so slightly. And these white striped plastic pots do just that. The stripe pattern is subtle enough to not take away from the chic minimalism that the white offers while giving enough of a twist to help give your home a truly modern look.
They come with multiple drainage holes and a drip tray, which are important to look for with plastic pots. This means that not only will these pots look great, but they’ll be great for your pothos too.
Hanging plastic pots
As mentioned above, plastic pots can be great for hanging your pothos and these white hanging pots would be perfect for just that purpose. Not only does it come with an easily removable drip tray, but the water level is actually visible when the tray is attached, letting you know with just a glance that it needs to be emptied.
And if you feel you’ve got enough white in your home, they also come in a range of other colors – the dark gray one is my other favorite.
Turquoise plastic pot
Sure, your pothos’ lush green leaves are great for adding a burst of color to a space, but why not take it to the next level with a colorful pot too? These turquoise pots do just that, with just enough brightness to catch anyone’s eye as they enter the room.
With several different sizes in the set, they will be great pots for your pothos no matter your plant’s size. The variety of sizes also make them good for clustering, with three pots of various heights looking great in a group in a corner or as a centerpiece on a table (with these pothos companion plants working well for exactly this).
4. Metal pots
Another option for pothos are pots made from metal. Metal pots are typically more durable than ceramic or terracotta pots and are less likely to break, chip, or crack. Additionally, they can add interest to your indoor garden and come in a wide array of metal materials, such as aluminum.
Something to consider, however, is that metal, unfortunately, rusts, which can have a negative effect on the overall appearance of the pot. They are also generally heavier than plastic and not as flexible.
FYI: It’s important to ensure your metal pot comes with drainage holes already included, as it will be much more difficult for you to add them yourself afterwards.
Alternatively, you could treat a metal pot as a cachepot, with the actual grow pot containing your pothos placed inside the metal one. In that case, the outside metal pot won’t need its own drainage holes.
Rustic metal bucket pot with gold trim
Many people choose to have metal pots for their pothos because they’re looking to embrace the farmhouse decor trend. These rustic metal pots would be perfect for this purpose, with the rope handle really accentuating this style choice – while the gold trim is the icing on the cake.
Even better, they come with drainage holes pre-drilled. While you will have to add a drip tray, these holes will ensure your pothos thrives.
Charcoal metal pots
Another great use of metal pots for your houseplants is to add to the industrial decor of a room. This is usually done through adding a few key pieces rather than turning your home into a factory floor, and these charcoal metal pots could do just that.
The gray-black discoloration fits well into this style and the crisp green leaves of your pothos would look gorgeous against it. As an added bonus, you get both drainage holes and a drip tray with these, so you’d have both a happy pothos and a stylish room in one hit.
5. Self-watering pots
While it may not be the absolute best pot for pothos, some indoor gardeners prefer to grow the plant in self-watering pots.
These types of pots contain an inner and outer pot, and they help to reduce the amount of time you have to spend not only watering the pothos but also trying to figure out if the plant needs watering. In particular, they’re great for anyone concerned about forgetting to water their plants.
There are some drawbacks to self-watering pots, however, and the main downside is that they increase the chance of overwatering your plant, leading to root rot in your pothos and other problems.
6. Any pot with drainage holes at the bottom of it
The best pot for pothos will have drainage holes located at the very bottom, the underside, of the pot. Far too often, people use pots that have drainage holes at the side of the container. While this may not seem like a big deal at first, consider that the excess water has to reach that level before it can drain out.
This means that the bottom portion of the soil will stay consistently soggy. While pothos are water-loving plants, they can still feel the effects of overwatering and poor soil drainage. Allowing your pothos to sit in soggy soil will lead to a wide array of potentially fatal diseases, such as root rot.
Find out more: Do Pothos Need Drainage? (4 Easy Tips So Your Plant Thrives)
7. A pot that’s the right size for your pothos
Another aspect to consider when choosing the best pot for pothos is the actual size of the container. The pot you grow your pothos in should be about 2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball or 2 inches larger than the plant’s old pot.
While it may be tempting to go with a pot that is much bigger because you assume the plant will simply “grow into it”, this can quickly lead to disaster. When a pot is too big for the plant, the plant’s roots cannot properly absorb water or nutrients, which increases the chance of fungal disease and poor growth.
8. One that fits the space
While this may not seem like something you should be concerned with when trying to find the best pot for pothos, whether or not the container can fit the space is just as important.
But what does “fits the space” mean? It means you must consider the location where you will be growing the pothos and select the type of pot that matches the space.
For example, a corner of your home may get the ideal pothos lighting conditions (bright, indirect light) but there is no place to set the pot. So a traditional container wouldn’t work since it requires something, such as a stand, shelf, or bookcase, to rest on. Instead, you would need to use a hanging basket and install a hook that it can hang from.
9. A pot that works with your decor
Another thing to consider when selecting the best pot for pothos is that it will need to fit your decor. It would be a little off putting if your home had a rustic theme and you planted the pothos in a modern-styled pot.
That is why it is important to choose a pot for your pothos that not only complements the plant itself, but also fits into your decor.
What’s the best hanging pot for pothos?
Hanging baskets are an ideal pot for pothos since it encourages this plant’s natural trailing tendencies. The best hanging pot for pothos is one made from ceramic, plastic, or terracotta. Make sure the pot has an attached drip tray though.
These trays not only catch the excess water that runs out of the pot, which reduces a mess on your floors, but it also helps to increase the humidity level around the pothos.
Additionally, make sure that the anchor or hook you have secured to hold the hanging basket can hold the entire weight of the plant, including the weight of the soil, the pot, and the added weight that will occur when you add water.
Do pothos like terracotta pots?
Terracotta pots are one of the best pots for pothos. These containers are the classic option for growing houseplants, or any plant for that matter. With that said, however, terracotta pots do absorb water from the soil, which means you may have to water the pothos more than if you planted it in another container.
If you do use a terracotta pot for your pothos, make sure to set the pot on a drip tray. Drip trays catch the excessive water that drains out of the holes and then naturally evaporates into the air.
When this occurs, the humidity level around the pothos will increase, which is a good thing since pothos like humidity levels of 60 percent or above.
Are terracotta pots waterproof?
Terracotta pots may seem like they are waterproof, but the truth is they are not. They are, however, extremely absorbent because of their naturally porous nature. This means that the pot itself will take in water that you give to your pothos.
Because of this, it is recommended to use a plastic saucer under a terracotta pot instead of a terracotta saucer. Terracotta saucers can still allow for water to slowly leak out and onto the surface, while a plastic saucer will not.
Do terracotta pots dry out quicker?
Terracotta pots do dry out quicker than pots made from other materials as terracotta is porous. That said, this is going to depend on the pot, especially its size, as a smaller terracotta pot will dry soil out faster than a larger one.
The good news is that, as long as you stay vigilant in monitoring the moisture level of the soil, a pot that dries out quickly won’t cause your pothos any issues.
It does mean, however, that you may have to water the pothos more often if the terracotta pot is drying the soil out too quickly.
What is the best terracotta pot for pothos?
The best terracotta pot for pothos is one that fits the size of the plant, while also matching your budget and aesthetic. Since terracotta pots are extremely popular and readily available, finding one that fits your needs should be a simple process.
In fact, there are a few earlier in this article that would be great pots for your pothos – and that look great too!
Are there any cons to growing a pothos in a terracotta pot?
Terracotta pots absorb moisture more quickly than pots made from other materials. They’re also a bit more fragile than plastic containers. They can chip, crack, and break if they are mishandled. Additionally, terracotta pots are known to crack during the cold.
While these are certainly points to keep that in mind when choosing the best pot for your pothos, terracotta pots are still a good option for pothos and just about any other plant you want to grow.
Just remember to keep an eye out on the moisture of the soil, since terracotta is porous and has a tendency to dry out the soil a bit quicker.
What is the difference between clay pots and terracotta pots?
Clay is the actual raw material that terracotta is made from, while terracotta is clay that has already been modeled and fired. So, all terracotta is clay, but not all clay is terracotta.
Both clay pots and terracotta pots can be glazed or unglazed, and while they can also come in a wide range of colors, most terracotta pots have that iconic reddish orange color to them.
Are clay pots better than plastic pots for pothos?
Both clay pots and plastic pots will work well for pothos plants, but there are a few things to consider when choosing which one to grow your pothos in. Clay pots are usually heavier than plastic pots, which means they are harder to tip or knock over.
They also have thicker walls that can help protect the roots from sudden temperature changes.
A downside of clay pots is that they are porous and can absorb the moisture in the soil. What this means is that the soil inside clay pots will typically dry out faster than the soil in a plastic pot. So, expect to water the pothos more often if you decide to grow the plant in a clay pot instead of a plastic pot.
Do pothos need a pot with holes?
It is best to grow pothos in a pot with drainage holes. These holes, particularly the ones at the bottom of the pot, allow any excess water to flow freely out of the pot. This prevents the soil from becoming overly soggy, which will then reduce the chance of fungal disease from occurring.
Root rot is the most serious fungal disease that can affect pothos if the soil is too soggy. When you grow the pothos in a pot that doesn’t have drainage holes, you leave the plant susceptible to this issue. Planting the pothos in a pot with drainage holes goes a long way to keep root rot at bay.
Are self-watering pots good for pothos?
The jury is still out as to whether or not self-watering pots are good for pothos. Some gardeners have experienced nothing but success when growing pothos in self-watering pots, while others have had bad experiences and refuse to use these types of containers for their houseplants.
Because the experiences have greatly varied from one indoor gardener to the next, it’s best to try self-watering pots out for yourself. Then will give you the opportunity to determine firsthand as to whether or not self-watering pots are good for pothos.
What size pot does my pothos need?
One of the great things about pothos is that they can thrive in a pot that is a little too small. In fact, a smaller pot can help prevent the plant from becoming too big for your needs. Make sure, though, that the pot isn’t more than 2 inches bigger than its root ball or old container.
Along with the overall size of the pot, you should also consider the pot depth, since this plays an important role as well. You want the depth of the pot to be large enough to house the roots without being too big.
If the pot is too deep, it will be harder for the plant to absorb nutrients and water. On the other hand, however, if the pot isn’t deep enough, the plant could become root bound and the roots could start growing out of the drainage holes.
How do I know if my pothos needs a bigger pot?
The first and most common sign of your pothos needing a bigger pot is that its roots will begin to either grow out the bottom of the drainage holes or the roots will begin to peak out of the top of the soil.
Another sign that the pot is too small is that water will run straight through the pot when you water the pothos. If your pothos is showing one or both of those signs, it’s time to start looking for a larger pot.
The pot you choose should be about 2 inches larger in diameter than the pothos’ current pot. Make sure that whatever pot you decide on has drainage holes at the very bottom of the pot and not along the side. If the holes are on the side, then the excess water has to reach a certain level before it drains out, which can increase the chance of root rot.
What if my pothos’ pot is too big?
Growing a pothos in a pot that is too big isn’t the end of the world, but can increase the chance of fungal issues, such as root rot. This is because a pot that is too big will hold more water in the soil than what the smaller plant’s roots can suck up.
And as I am sure you are aware, overly soggy soil leads to disease problems.
The good news is that you don’t have to simply deal with a pot that is too big. You can repot the pothos into the correct size pot. Ideally, the best pot for pothos will be about 2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball.
If possible, wait and repot the plant during its active growing season, which is during the spring and summer months. While repotting a plant is common, it can put stress on the plant. Repotting the pothos when it’s actively growing lets the plant snap back more quickly, which reduces the chance of future problems.
What if my pothos’ pot is too small?
When the pot is too small, your pothos can become root bound, which means the roots have run out of space inside the pot and are now growing around and around the inside of the pot. This can cause the pothos to have stunted or slowed growth, which is not something you want your healthy pothos to experience.
To reduce the chance of your pothos becoming root bound, it is important to look at the size of the container as well as what type of material it is made from when choosing the best pot for pothos. Additionally, try to only repot a pothos during the spring and summer months, which is when the plant is actively growing.