How to Pick a Jade Plant Pot

I have several Jade Plants, some many years old and very large. Over the years I have repotted my Jades with different types of pots. I figured sharing what I have learned would be a good idea. There are several things to consider when selecting the right pot such as drainage, pot size, and pot material. I'll discuss all three to help you pick a Jade Plant pot.

Drainage

A pot's drainage holes are one of the most important characteristics. If water is not allowed to flow freely out of the bottom of the pot then it will collect in the bottom of the pot. Once water has collected in the bottom of the pot will not be able to evaporate very easily. When water sits stagnant in a pot for too long it may affect the roots of your plant causing root rot. Root rot is obviously harmful to you your plant's health. Some signs of root rot are limpness and brown spots on the leaves. Another sign that you might have oversaturated soil is fungus gnats. They are attracted to wet soil so if you have them that could be a sign you're watering too much or your pot doesn't have enough drainage.

What if you find an awesome pot but it doesn't have drainage holes? You don't necessarily have to pass it up. You can add drainage holes to most pots with a drill and some relatively inexpensive diamond drill bits. I have a tutorial post with detailed instructions on how to add drainage to ceramic and glass pots.

Jade Plant Pot Size

Selecting the correct pot size for a Jade Plant is also important. A pot that is too small means that the roots will not have much room to grow. In that case, your plant may grow more slowly. In addition, a smaller pot means you will have to repot your Jade sooner. A pot can also be too large as well. If a pot is too big then the soil-to-root ratio will not be optimal. If there is too much soil in a pot compared to the root ball, it can take a long time for the soil to dry out. That can mean problems for your roots, for the same reasons I explained above in the Drainage section.

If you're repotting a Jade Plant because it has filled out its old pot with roots, then you should select a new pot that is about two inches larger in diameter compared to the old pot. This is a common recommendation for pretty much all plants. That small increase in diameter means you're providing adequate space for new fresh soil, but not too much. If you're repotting a Jade plant but it has not filled out the old pot with its roots, then you should select a pot that is two inches in diameter larger than the root ball, not necessarily two inches bigger than the old pot.

Other factors to consider with pot size are its shape and height. Jade Plants end up being top-heavy once they've grown. Succulent leaves are plump and heavy after all. Jade roots also tend not to grow very deep. Because of these tendencies, Jades do well in shorter wider pots.

Jade Plant Pot Material

Different pot mediums have different properties which all have some advantages and disadvantages. Generally speaking, all of the types of pots I'll talk about below will work for Jade Plants but I've listed some of the pros and cons to each to help you make the best decision for you.

Plastic/Resin Pots

Plastic or resin pots are usually pretty cheaper compared to ceramic pots. One pro is that they often come in a variety of colors and designs. Plastic pots are by far the most lightweight type of plant pot out there. If your Jade Plant is really big, then plastic may be the way to go so you don't have to deal with a lot of excess weight. Plastic pots are sometimes hit or miss when it comes to drainage, but it's extremely easy to drill a hole in a plastic pot. Plastic pots are not porous, meaning water will not evaporate from inside the pot, it needs to flow out of the bottom. One final pro about plastic pots is that don't break very easily.

Terracotta Pots

Terracotta pots are also typically cost-effective in terms of price. Most home improvement stores have a whole shelf full of different sizes, so they are generally easy to find. One con is that terracotta doesn't offer much variety in terms of looks. There are a few shades they come in but they're primarily orange-ish brown. The same goes for the shape of the pots. They are pretty standard with not much variety. Terracotta pots are very porous and will dry out fairly quickly, this can be a pro or a con depending on the type of plant you have. A pot that dries quickly is a good thing for succulents such as Jades, but it wouldn't be great for a plant that likes moist soil. Terracotta pots are a bit heavier than most plastic pots and they are definitely more fragile.

Ceramic Pots

Ceramic pots are typically the most expensive type of pot compared to plastic and terracotta. Personally, I think they look the best too. Ceramic pots are typically glazed which looks beautiful but it holds moisture in the pot. Plants in ceramic pots definitely need drainage to dry out between waterings. Ceramic pots are generally quite heavy as well. Another con is that they are not durable, they break and chip easily.

Other Pot Thoughts

I avoid two types of pots that are designed to hold stagnant water, mainly because fungus gnats are attracted to it. Self-watering pots are designed so you fill a receptacle with water and the soil absorbs the water slowly as needed. No thanks, I don't want water sitting anywhere in my house. I avoid pots with a built-in drip tray. Mainly because you can never actually dump out that drip tray without soil going everywhere.

Do you have any thoughts or questions on Jade Plant pots? Share in the comments.