Plants are the perfect way to beautify your home and enliven your space. Fresh and vibrant, they provide the home with an invigorating air that makes simply being there a joy! But to truly beautify your garden you need to select the right containers. There are a huge range of styles and materials available that can make selecting the right one a little overwhelming for new gardeners, but we are here to make things a little easier for you.

Here are four tips for selecting the perfect plant pots:

1. What material to choose?

The first thing to consider when choosing top quality yet relatively cheap pots for plants is their material. You want a material that is incredibly strong and durable so that it can handle the cold, heat and inclement conditions Australia’s weather can throw up!

For example, fibreglass is one of the most durable materials for planting beautiful varieties. It is renowned for its strength and ability to withstand tough Aussie conditions. For this reason, it has become one of the most popular materials amongst avid gardeners looking for a modern material that won’t depreciate in a hot summer or chilly winter.

2. Porous or non-porous?

The next thing to consider is whether to choose porous or non-porous designs. When it comes to outdoor gardening, both styles have their pros and cons depending on the kind of variety you are growing. For example, non-porous styles are better for varieties that require regular watering and consistently moist soil.

Designs made from ceramics, concrete, terracotta and wood are porous and allow for easy air and water circulation. However, their porous nature tends to ruin the possibility of them being waterproof and this can make them dry out easily. Conversely, non-porous designs like fibreglass, metal and plastic are completely waterproof and watertight, meaning they can stand up to inclement conditions and will likely enjoy a long lifespan.

3. What shapes for your garden?

It’s important to consider the shapes of your containers as this will help set your garden's aesthetic style. Choose designs with clean and simple lines and muted colours or tones if you want to go for an elegant, minimalist look.

Conversely, if you want to go for a more vibrant approach, why not choose brightly coloured pots that come in a range of funky shapes? Of course, it’s important to remember that the container has to facilitate your variety’s growth. They will need room to grow and your root system depths will vary depending on the type of variety you are growing.

For example, if your variety has a deep root system, you will require a design with plenty of height, but if it has a shallow root system then it might need more space to flourish in a wide and large bowl.

4. And if you’re planting veggies…

Planting veggies is one of the most exciting ways to utilise all that wonderful garden space. But to get the most deliciously nutritious veggies possible you have to choose the right containers. For most veggies, a six to eight inch depth is perfect, but classics like carrots and tomatoes need at least 12 inches of depth to fully flourish.

Choosing containers is just one of the super exciting parts of gardening. What’s more, you will soon notice that you have a knack for choosing the perfect designs based on material, size, shape and style. Soon, you will be growing stunning varieties that invigorate your garden and make your home that little bit more beautiful!