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  • #1

    Should I line terracotta pots?

    I am just planting in some large terracotta pots today. The will be in a south-facing position so I am wondering about them drying out quickly. In retrospect, I sould have chosen another type of pot but this is what I have and I can't afford new ones.

    I have some thick rubble bags that I could cut up and use for lining, should I do that or leave them? There are very mixed answers on Google. And do you line the sides of the pot or the whole pot including the bottom? Thanks.
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  • #2
    I've never lined mine, I just make sure they're watered regularly - do you use plant saucers? I make sure there's some water in there for them too

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    • #3
      If they are the really big ones, then I usually put an icecream tub at the bottom, plus a piece of pipe (or cut the bottom of a coke bottle) so that you can direct water down into the tub. That way as well as watering the pots at the top - I can fill the water reservoir at the bottom.
      I do the same thing with big hanging baskets as well

      If they're only the same size as s/market flower buckets, then it is easier just to use saucers, as already mentioned.

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      • #4
        I use terracotta pots,never lined them before,people line their hanging baskets a tiny bit at the base to help hold a bit of water so if the bottom inch only was lined would that be ok or could it completely block drainage & leave roots wet for too long,I don't know,the hole in the bottom gives a bit of air flow to the roots,that would be blocked?
        Location : Essex

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        • #5
          You could mix some vermiculite and water retaining granules into the compost to hold water for longer - or a sponge at the bottom over the holes.
          I don't line pots.

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          • #6
            What area do you come from, if your in an area that gets high temperatures, I would line them, also put some sponge in to hold water
            it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

            Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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            • #7
              I don't know much about terracotta pots but would imagine the pot themselves would absorb & hold water, am I right in assuming that to be the case.
              sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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              • #8
                I am in a hot area of the south-west. I haven't heard the idea about a sponge before, that's interesting.

                Thanks everyone. I think I will do some part-lined, just the sides, and some without and run a bit of a test.
                Last edited by Briony; 11-04-2017, 07:44 AM.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post
                  I don't know much about terracotta pots but would imagine the pot themselves would absorb & hold water, am I right in assuming that to be the case.
                  Being porous they do some absorb water, but on the other hand, they dry out very quickly on a sunny day, much quicker than my plastic pots do.

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                  • #10
                    Terracotta pots are notorious for drying out the compost quicker than using plastic post because as well as being porous and retaining moisture, they also lose it quickly when its hot in summer. Plants can quickly die in terracotta pots being moist in the morning which then during the red hot summers day dries and dessicates the contents within hours in full sun.
                    The smaller the pot the worst it can become so any way to reduce the moisture loss needs to be employed, be it water retaining crystals, sponge inside at the bottom, plastic lining or standing in a shallow dish to hold a small reservoir of water. Because of the very porous nature of terracotta pots there is not such an issue with root rot or drowning due to too much water in summer as they potentially can lose alot of moisture in a day.
                    The day that Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck ...

                    ... is the day they make vacuum cleaners

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                    • #11
                      I've just been rattling round the old grey matter & remember that I used terracotta pots to water plants. The bottom hole was blocked with silicone, the pot was then placed in the beds between plants then filled with water & the water allowed to seep through the pot. Thanks for the prompt Thelma & MB.
                      Last edited by Bigmallly; 11-04-2017, 01:24 PM.
                      sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                      -----------------------------------------------------------
                      KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Muddy_Boots View Post
                        Terracotta pots are notorious for drying out the compost Plants can quickly die in terracotta pots being moist in the morning which then during the red hot summers day dries and dessicates the contents within hours in full sun.
                        It would be nice to experience such conditions
                        it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

                        Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Muddy_Boots View Post
                          Terracotta pots are notorious for drying out the compost quicker than using plastic post because as well as being porous and retaining moisture, they also lose it quickly when its hot in summer. Plants can quickly die in terracotta pots being moist in the morning which then during the red hot summers day dries and dessicates the contents within hours in full sun.
                          The smaller the pot the worst it can become so any way to reduce the moisture loss needs to be employed, be it water retaining crystals, sponge inside at the bottom, plastic lining or standing in a shallow dish to hold a small reservoir of water. Because of the very porous nature of terracotta pots there is not such an issue with root rot or drowning due to too much water in summer as they potentially can lose alot of moisture in a day.
                          Large terracotta pots will be fine though & I've never had a plant die that sounds like a tiny pot? I use plastic as well as terracotta pots & don't notice a difference,if anything my plastic pots dry out quicker but they are slightly smaller.
                          Location : Essex

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                          • #14
                            The original terracotta watering pots were Ollas




                            They only release water when the soil is dry, so are really water saving if you are on a meter!

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