Best Terracotta Planters Made Simple: A Clear Buying Guide

Best overall: the INGOFIN Terracotta Pots Set with Saucer, around $39, includes two clay planters with drainage holes and matching saucers, a versatile size for herbs, houseplants and flowers.

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Best value: the vensovo 5.7 inch Terracotta Shallow Succulent Pots, around $29 for a six pack with saucers, suit succulents, cacti and small herbs.

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Best large planter: this aged terracotta planter pot, around $80, measures 13 inches high by 12 inches wide with a drainage hole and a rustic vintage finish for indoor or outdoor use.

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Terracotta means baked earth in Italian. The pots are made from natural clay fired in a kiln, which leaves tiny pores in the walls. Water and air move through these pores, so soil dries out faster than in plastic or glazed ceramic pots.

That breathability is great for plants that dislike wet roots, such as succulents, cacti, herbs like rosemary and thyme, and Mediterranean plants. It is less ideal for moisture lovers like ferns, which may need more frequent watering in terracotta.

A few terms: unglazed terracotta is the classic porous clay; glazed terracotta has a coating on the outside or inside that reduces moisture loss; and frost resistant terracotta is fired at higher temperatures to resist cracking in freezing weather.

These are the specs that matter most.

Drainage Hole and Saucer

A drainage hole is essential. It lets excess water escape so roots never sit in a puddle. A matching saucer protects floors and decks. Without a hole, even breathable terracotta can drown roots.

Size for Your Plant

Choose a pot about 1 to 2 inches wider than the current root ball for small plants, and 2 to 4 inches wider for larger plants. Too big a pot holds excess wet soil, which can rot roots.

Wall Thickness and Weight

Thicker walls are sturdier and insulate roots from heat and cold, but they weigh more. Large terracotta pots are heavy even before soil is added, so plan where they will live.

Frost Resistance

Standard terracotta absorbs water, which can freeze, expand and crack the pot. In cold climates, choose pots labeled frost resistant, or empty and store pots indoors over winter.

Safety and Finish

Unglazed natural clay is a good choice for edible herbs. Decorative painted or aged finishes are usually on the outside only; check product details if you plan to grow food.

Value

Small terracotta pots are very affordable, often a few dollars each in multipacks. Large, thick or hand finished pots cost more but last for years with care.

Terracotta breathes and dries quickly, ideal for plants that hate wet roots and for gardeners who tend to overwater. Glazed ceramic holds moisture longer and comes in many colors, suiting tropical houseplants. Plastic is light, cheap and holds the most moisture, good for thirsty plants and hanging baskets. Many gardeners use terracotta for succulents and herbs and glazed or plastic pots for ferns and tropicals.

• Choosing pots without drainage holes.
• Using a pot far too large for the plant.
• Leaving terracotta outside through freezing winters.
• Letting saucers stay full of water.
• Planting moisture lovers without adjusting your watering.

1. Soak new terracotta pots in water for an hour so the clay does not pull moisture from fresh soil.
2. Cover the drainage hole with a piece of mesh or a shard of broken pot to keep soil in.
3. Fill with a potting mix suited to the plant, such as cactus mix for succulents.
4. Plant at the same depth as before and water thoroughly until it drains.
5. Check moisture every few days, since terracotta dries faster than plastic.

Over time, terracotta develops a white crust of mineral salts from water and fertilizer. It is harmless but can look untidy. Scrub empty pots with a stiff brush and a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water, soak for 30 minutes, rinse and let them dry fully. Many gardeners like the aged look and leave a light patina, which also gives terracotta its classic character.

Terracotta shines with plants that like to dry out between waterings: succulents, cacti, snake plants, ZZ plants, rosemary, thyme, lavender, oregano and geraniums. It also suits orchids and citrus in larger sizes. Moisture loving plants like ferns, calatheas and peace lilies can still grow in terracotta, but you will need to water more often or line the inside of the pot to slow evaporation.

These are the questions first time buyers ask most.

Are terracotta pots good for indoor plants?

Yes, especially for succulents, cacti and herbs. Use a saucer to protect surfaces and water a little more often than with plastic pots.

Do terracotta pots need drainage holes?

Yes. Terracotta breathes, but a drainage hole is still needed to prevent roots sitting in water.

Can terracotta stay outside in winter?

Only if labeled frost resistant. Standard terracotta can crack when absorbed water freezes, so store it indoors or empty it.

What potting mix is best for terracotta?

Use a quality potting mix for most plants and a fast draining cactus mix for succulents. Never use heavy garden soil in pots.

How long do terracotta pots last?

With care and winter protection, terracotta pots can last for many years or even decades.

The three things that matter most are a drainage hole, the right size and winter protection. A pot set with saucers suits most plants, multipacks suit succulent collections and large aged planters suit statement plants. Use this guide to choose the best terracotta planters, then check the product table above for current prices. For glazed options, see the best ceramic planters.