We’re constantly being encouraged to reuse and recycle, so it’s always felt wrong that the only way you could buy plants was in plastic pots. I used to take empty pots back to a local nursery, but a few years ago they told me it costs more to clean the pots properly than to buy new ones, so they couldn’t accept them anymore.
Fortunately plants are now sold in biodegradable pots made from coir, wood fibre or biodegradable plastic.
Types of pots
Biodegradable plastic pots offer the same benefits as a regular plastic pot, being longlasting and easy to handle, but they break down naturally over time. To dispose of them, cut up the pot and add the pieces to the compost or place them in the bottom of the planting hole. It will take up to three years for the pieces to break down.
The other type of biodegradable pot is made of fibre. These wood fibre, coir or peat pots are sold under names such as ‘pot’n all’ and ‘plant-a-pot’. They have advantages beyond being able to break down fast. Even in a biodegradable plastic pot, plants can become pot-bound. In fibre pots roots can push through the pot sides. As this occurs they are air-pruned, which promotes even root distribution and plants don’t become pot-bound.
Another advantage is the plant, along with the fibre pot, can go straight into the ground. This means no root disturbance, no transplant shock and no down time while roots settle in. This is ideal for fussy plants such as coriander, which tend to bolt to seed if their roots are disturbed.
Care at home
Plants in fibre pots do dry out quickly and wilt within a day, so it’s vital to keep them well watered and to keep them out of hot sun or drying winds.
In a nursery, plants are watered daily so keep this regime up and put your plants into the ground as soon as possible. Dunk the pot and root ball into a bucket of water overnight before planting to ensure it’s wet all the way through for best results.
Planting natural-fibre pots
The most resounding benefits of using biodegradable fibre pots are fuss-free transplanting and the high strike rate.
1. Before planting
Before being planted, any roots that emerge through the wall of the pot cease growing when they reach air. This stops plants becoming root bound.
2. Planting
To plant, dunk the pot and root ball of the plant into a bucket of water so they are completely wet. Dig a hole and plant the whole thing into the ground.
3. Progress
Six weeks afterbeing planted, this kangaroo paw has almost doubled in size and has started forming flowering spikes already.
4. Rooting progess
When it was dug up, the roots of the kangaroo paw had grown through the pot, which was already breaking down into a rich humus.
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