Summary

A good-looking pot can make a houseplant feel finished, but appearance is only part of the decision. The wrong size can keep soil wet for too long, and a pot without proper drainage can leave roots sitting in water.

This guide explains how to choose the right pot size, why drainage matters, when to keep a plant in its nursery pot, and how different materials affect watering. It also covers a few practical considerations for Ottawa homes, where indoor conditions change considerably between summer and winter.

Key Highlights

• Choose a pot only slightly larger than the plant’s current root ball
• Drainage holes make watering easier and reduce the risk of root rot
• A decorative pot without a hole can still work as a cover pot
• Terracotta dries faster, while glazed ceramic and plastic hold moisture longer
• Match the pot to the plant’s watering needs, not just its colour
• Ottawa houseplants usually need less frequent watering during winter
• Always check whether water is collecting inside a decorative planter

What Size Pot Does Your Houseplant Need?

When moving a plant into a new pot, bigger is not always better.

For most small and medium houseplants, choose a pot about 2.5 to 5 cm wider than the current nursery pot. That usually gives the roots enough room to grow without surrounding them with a large amount of unused, wet soil.

For example:

• A plant in a 10 cm nursery pot will usually fit well in a 12.5 or 15 cm pot
• A plant in a 15 cm nursery pot may be ready for a 17.5 or 20 cm pot
• A large, established plant may need a slightly larger increase, depending on its root system

The exact measurement is less important than the fit. If the roots are tightly circling the inside of the nursery pot, growing through the drainage holes or pushing the plant upward, it may be time to move up a size.

If the roots still have plenty of room, you may not need to repot at all. You can simply place the nursery pot inside a decorative planter.

Why Can a Pot Be Too Large?

A large pot holds more soil, and more soil holds more water.

When a small root system sits inside a large volume of wet potting mix, it cannot absorb the moisture quickly enough. The centre of the pot may remain damp long after the surface appears dry. Over time, that can lead to yellow leaves, fungus gnats or root rot.

This is especially important during an Ottawa winter. Houseplants often grow more slowly when daylight hours are shorter, so they use water at a slower rate. A pot that dried comfortably in July may stay wet much longer in January.

Before watering, check below the surface instead of relying on the calendar. Your finger or a wooden chopstick works well for many plants. If you often have trouble judging moisture deeper in the pot, a soil moisture meter can be helpful.

Does Every Houseplant Pot Need a Drainage Hole?

For most houseplants, a drainage hole is the safest option.

When you water thoroughly, the extra water needs somewhere to go. Drainage holes let excess water leave the pot and allow more air to reach the root zone. Without an exit, water can collect at the bottom even when the soil surface looks dry.

That does not mean you have to pass up every decorative planter without a hole. It simply means you should use it differently.

How Do You Use a Decorative Pot Without Drainage?

The easiest method is double potting.

Keep the plant in its original plastic nursery pot and place the whole nursery pot inside the decorative planter. The outside pot hides the plastic container, while the inside pot provides the drainage the plant needs.

When it is time to water:

1. Lift the nursery pot out of the decorative planter
2. Water it over a sink, tub or waterproof tray
3. Let the extra water drain completely
4. Check the decorative pot for standing water
5. Return the plant once it has finished dripping

This setup also makes it easier to change the look of a room. You can move the same plant into a different cover pot without disturbing its roots or replacing the soil.

If the nursery pot sits too low inside the decorative planter, place an upside-down saucer or another waterproof support underneath it. Avoid filling the bottom with loose material that can trap water around the nursery pot.

Can You Plant Directly Into a Pot Without a Hole?

You can, but it leaves very little room for watering mistakes.

If too much water goes into the pot, you cannot see or remove what has collected at the bottom. Even plants that prefer evenly moist soil still need oxygen around their roots.

Adding gravel or stones to the bottom does not create drainage. It only gives excess water another place to sit inside the container.

For most customers, we recommend one of three options:

• Keep the plant in a nursery pot and use the decorative container as a cover pot
• Choose a planter that already has a drainage hole
• Have a suitable hole added before planting, if the material can be drilled safely

Ceramic and stoneware can crack when drilled, so this is not always a good do-it-yourself project. When the planter is valuable or difficult to replace, double potting is usually the easier choice.

Which Pot Material Is Best for Your Plant?

There is no single best material. The right choice depends on how quickly the plant’s soil should dry and how often you tend to water.

Terracotta

Unglazed terracotta is porous, so moisture can evaporate through the sides of the pot. The soil usually dries faster than it would in plastic or glazed ceramic.

Terracotta works well for:

• Cacti and many succulents
• Snake plants
• Plants that prefer to dry between waterings
• Plant owners who tend to water a little too often

It can dry too quickly for ferns, calatheas and other plants that prefer more consistent moisture. Mineral marks may also appear on the outside over time, which some people like and others do not.

Glazed Ceramic

Glazed ceramic holds moisture longer than unglazed terracotta and comes in a much wider range of colours and finishes. It is a practical choice when you want a decorative pot with some weight.

Check for a drainage hole before planting directly into it. Many ceramic planters are designed as cover pots and have no opening at the bottom.

Ceramic can also be heavy, particularly once it contains damp soil and a mature plant. Decide where a large planter will live before filling it.

Plastic Nursery Pots

Plastic nursery pots are light, inexpensive and easy to lift out for watering. They also retain moisture longer than terracotta.

You do not have to remove a healthy plant from its nursery pot as soon as you bring it home. If the plant is not root-bound, keeping it in that container and placing it inside a decorative pot is often the simplest arrangement.

Baskets and Woven Planters

A basket adds warmth and texture, but it should normally be treated as a decorative cover rather than a planting container.

Keep the plant in a nursery pot and use a waterproof saucer or liner inside the basket. Check it regularly for hidden water, especially after watering.

Should the Pot Match the Plant or the Room?

Ideally, both—but start with the plant.

A planter can look perfect on a shelf and still be the wrong choice if it keeps the soil wet for weeks. Once the size and drainage are right, you can think about colour, texture and placement.

A few simple pairings usually work well:

• Broad, dark leaves stand out against cream, white or light stone finishes
• Variegated foliage works well with simple pots that do not compete with the leaf pattern
• Terracotta warms up green foliage and suits relaxed, natural interiors
• A tall, narrow planter can balance an upright snake plant or dracaena
• A wider, heavier pot can help stabilize a top-heavy monstera or ficus
• Trailing plants look best where their vines have space to fall

A raised display can also help a plant receive better light and keep long leaves off the floor. For larger containers, an elevated indoor plant stand can be useful, but check its weight limit before adding a heavy ceramic planter.

Do You Need to Repot a New Plant Right Away?

Usually, no.

Bringing a plant home already changes its environment. The temperature, humidity and light may all be different from what it experienced at the greenhouse or shop. Repotting it on the same day adds another adjustment.

Unless the soil is in poor condition, the roots are severely crowded or the plant is unstable, let it settle into your home first. You can place the nursery pot inside a decorative planter while it adjusts.

When you do repot, choose an appropriate potting mix for the plant rather than using the same dense soil for everything. Cacti and succulents need a faster-draining mix than tropical foliage plants.

What Should Ottawa Plant Owners Consider?

Ottawa homes can change dramatically with the seasons.

During winter, furnaces dry the air while shorter days slow plant growth. The air may feel dry, but the soil can still stay wet because the plant is using less water. This is why increasing watering just because the leaves have brown edges can make the problem worse.

Also watch for cold window glass, drafts near exterior doors and hot air blowing directly from heating vents.

In summer, brighter light and warmer rooms may cause the same plant to dry more quickly. Instead of following one watering schedule all year, check the soil and adjust as the season changes.

The pot affects this timing too. Terracotta near a sunny summer window may dry quickly, while a glazed pot in a dim winter corner can remain damp for much longer.

What About Self-Watering Pots and Watering Spikes?

Self-watering systems can be useful, but they still need to suit the plant.

Ferns and some tropical plants may appreciate a more consistent moisture supply. Snake plants, ZZ plants and many succulents generally prefer to dry out and should not sit over a constantly full reservoir.

If you are leaving home for an extended period, a self-watering plant spike may help with certain moisture-loving plants. Test it before your trip. Different soils and spike designs release water at different rates, and a watering device does not correct poor drainage.

Find the Right Plant and Pot at Terra Flowers & Flavours

If you are unsure whether a pot fits your plant, bring the plant—or its nursery pot measurement—to our Barrhaven shop. We can help you compare sizes, check the drainage setup and find a combination that works in your space.

Our selection changes regularly, so you can browse our pots and planters online or visit the shop to see the current collection. You can also explore our indoor plants and choose the plant and pot together.

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Phone: 613-440-0033

Plant delivery is available across Ottawa, including Barrhaven, Nepean, Kanata, Manotick and Orléans. Call ahead if you are looking for a particular plant or planter, as availability changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much bigger should a new pot be?

For most small and medium houseplants, choose a pot about 2.5 to 5 cm wider than the current nursery pot. Moving into a much larger pot can leave too much wet soil around a small root system.

Is one drainage hole enough?

One unobstructed drainage hole is usually enough for a small or medium indoor pot, although several holes may help a larger container drain more evenly. What matters most is that excess water can leave freely.

Can I put a nursery pot inside a decorative pot?

Yes. This is one of the easiest and safest ways to use a decorative planter without a drainage hole. Remove the nursery pot for watering and empty any water that collects inside the outer pot.

Do rocks at the bottom of a pot improve drainage?

No. Rocks do not replace a drainage hole. Water can still collect inside the pot, leaving the lower soil and roots too wet.

Is terracotta better than ceramic?

It depends on the plant and your watering habits. Terracotta dries more quickly and can help plants that dislike wet soil. Glazed ceramic retains moisture longer and may suit plants that prefer more even moisture.

Why is my plant’s soil staying wet for so long?

The pot may be too large, the room may have low light, the potting mix may be too dense or the container may not have enough drainage. Watering needs also decrease for many houseplants during Ottawa’s shorter winter days.

Should I repot a plant as soon as I buy it?

Not unless there is a clear problem with the soil, roots or container. Most plants can stay in their nursery pots while they adjust to their new home.

Can Terra help me match a plant with a pot?

Yes. Bring your plant or measure the diameter of its nursery pot before visiting. Our team can help you find an appropriate size and explain whether the planter should be used for direct planting or as a decorative cover pot.