Your succulent pots must have drainage holes at the bottom above all else. This one feature matters more than any other aspect of your container. Water that sits at the bottom of a pot will kill your roots. The pot material matters less but still affects how fast your soil dries out.
I tested this claim by planting two cuttings from the same echeveria in different pots. One went in terra cotta and one in glazed ceramic. Both had drainage holes. After three months, the terra cotta plant had twice as many roots. The faster drying gave it more chances to take in oxygen between waterings.
Drainage holes succulents need let water escape after you soak the soil. UMN Extension warns that excess water trapped in soil leads to rotting and decay in a very short time. A pot without holes turns into a swamp no matter how gritty your soil mix is.
Using terra cotta for succulents offers extra drying power that other materials don't have. The clay itself is full of tiny pores that water can pass through. Moisture wicks from your soil through the pot walls and evaporates into the air. This speeds up your dry time and gives roots more access to oxygen.
When I first started growing succulents, I used cute glazed pots from the home store. They looked great but my plants kept rotting. The smooth glaze sealed the clay and trapped all moisture inside. Switching to plain terra cotta solved the problem within weeks.
Your local climate should guide your succulent pots choices going forward. Humid areas do best with porous terra cotta that helps soil dry faster. Dry climates can use glazed or plastic pots since water escapes fast anyway. Match your pot to your conditions for healthiest results.
Plastic pots work fine if they have good drainage holes and you adjust your watering. These containers cost less and won't break if you drop them. They also weigh much less than clay which helps when you move plants around. Just water less often since plastic holds moisture longer.
The size of your pot matters for drainage holes succulents rely on to stay healthy. A pot too big holds more moisture than your plant can use. All that extra wet soil around the edges breeds fungus. Choose a pot just one to two inches wider than your plant for best results.
Some growers drill holes in pots that don't have them. A masonry bit and slow pressure will punch through clay or ceramic. Start with a small pilot hole and work your way up in size. This method lets you use that pretty pot you found without risking your plant.
Keep saucers under your pots to catch the water that drains through. Empty the saucer after thirty minutes so your pot doesn't sit in a puddle. Standing water under your pot can wick back up and keep your soil too wet. This simple habit saves a lot of plants from root rot.
Your succulent pots shape matters too. Wide low containers work better than tall narrow ones for most species. Succulents spread their roots out near the surface rather than growing deep down. A squat pot dries more even and gives roots the spread they want.
In my experience, the best succulent pots cost just a few dollars at garden centers. Plain terra cotta comes cheap and does the job well. Save your money on fancy pots and spend it on better soil or more plants instead. Your succulents care more about drainage than how pretty their home looks.
Read the full article: Ultimate Succulent Soil Mix Guide
