Plastic vs terracotta

There's a huge choice of containers available in our garden centre in Swarkestone, but two types remain most popular: clay terracotta, or versatile plastic. So which is best for you?

Terracotta has the look of a richly organic traditional material, yet you'll find angular modern designs among the traditional clay in our garden centre.

Terracotta pots are heavier, and also have porous sides, allowing air and water to pass through and letting plants' roots 'breathe'. This means you'll need to water more often: lining the inside with plastic (punched with drainage holes) helps. You'll find pots in our garden centre are labelled 'frost resistant' so they won't flake or crack in the cold: putting them up on pot 'feet' also helps prevent frost damage.

Plastic is light and lasts ages, and there's a dazzling range in our garden centre. Modern plastic finishes can look almost identical to terracotta, so you can still get the traditional look.

They hold on to water more easily, needing less watering and a perfect environment for plants like blueberries which like to sit in damper compost. Drought-lovers like Mediterranean herbs, though, prefer terracotta.

Please ask our friendly team in our Derby garden centre for more information and advice about choosing between plastic or terracotta containers for your garden.