Indoors, on the balcony or in the garden
Where your plant stands decides what the pot needs to do. Indoors you think about your floor and furniture, outdoors about rain and wind.
In the living room and on the windowsill you simply put your houseplant in the decorative pot, nursery pot and all. Indoor flower pots usually have no hole in the bottom, so no water leaks onto your cabinet. After watering, check whether any water is left at the bottom. Pour it away, because most plants don't like wet feet.
On the balcony every centimetre counts. Balcony flower pots can stand on the floor or hang from the railing. That leaves you room to sit. Measure the thickness of your railing first, so you know the hanging system will fit. Do you live high up, and does it often get very windy? Then hang your pots on the inside of the railing.
On the patio and in the garden rainwater needs to be able to drain away. When choosing outdoor flower pots, pick a pot with drainage in the bottom. The specifications of every elho pot show whether it has this. If there's no hole, you can drill one yourself. A large pot full of soil is heavy. With a flower pot on wheels, you can roll it to another spot without lifting it.
The right size in four steps
A pot that's too tight dries out quickly and gives the roots little room. If it's too big, the soil stays wet for a long time. With these four steps, you'll find a size that suits your plant. Afterwards, you'll also know how much potting soil it holds.
- Measure the pot your plant is in now.
Measure the diameter at the top, from rim to rim. For a square pot, measure one side.
- Keeping the nursery pot
Then the inside dimension of the decorative pot needs to be slightly larger than the outside dimension of the nursery pot. You'll find that measurement in the specifications on the product page.
- Repotting?
Choose a pot that's just a little roomier than the old one. In a pot that's far too big, the soil around a small root ball stays wet for a long time.
- Work out how much potting soil you need
At elho, our advice is this: in most cases, two thirds (⅔) of the pot should be filled with potting soil. So if a pot holds 10 litres, about 66% of it should be filled with potting soil.
With those litres, you'll know straight away how many bags of potting soil you need. Think about the weight too, because wet potting soil is a lot heavier than a dry bag from the shop. If you want to move a large pot now and then, choose a flower pot on wheels.
Water reservoir, drainage or a saucer?
The way you water decides which pot suits you best.
Are you often away for a few days, or do you sometimes forget to water? A flower pot with a water reservoir holds a small supply of water at the bottom. The roots drink from it as soon as the soil dries out. You don't need clay pebbles with it. elho even advises against them in a pot with a reservoir.
Do you prefer to water generously? Then a flower pot with a drainage system suits you better. Excess water drains away from the roots, so they don't sit in wet soil.
If your pot stands on a table, on the floor or on the patio, put a saucer underneath. It catches the water that runs out of the bottom and prevents marks. Don't leave the water in it, but pour it away after a while. You'll find saucers among the accessories.
Still not sure? Then first look at how often you're at home. If you're often away, a reservoir helps you most.
Buying sustainable flower pots
Want to buy a flower pot that asks as little as possible of nature? Every elho pot is made with recycled plastic and is designed and made in the Netherlands. Production runs on wind energy from its own wind turbine. When your pot is truly worn out after years of use, the plastic can be recycled again. elho is also a Certified B Corporation
That care for nature comes back to you at home. According to researchers at Wageningen University & Research, contact with nature is linked to less stress and more happiness. A plant on your windowsill is a small, daily dose of that.
You can order your flower pots online or buy them in a shop near you.
Frequently asked questions about flower pots
Can an indoor flower pot also stand outside?
Preferably not. Most indoor flower pots have no hole in the bottom. Outside, rainwater then collects at the bottom, and that gives the roots wet feet. For outdoors, choose a pot with drainage, or an outdoor pot that you're allowed to drill holes in yourself.
Does a plastic flower pot fade in the sun?
No, elho pots are UV-resistant. They can stand in full sun without the colour fading. The soil does dry out faster there, so feel regularly whether your plant needs water.
Do you need clay pebbles in a flower pot?
Usually not. If your pot has good drainage, excess water drains away even without clay pebbles. In a pot with a water reservoir, they're not recommended.
How do you clean a flower pot?
With warm water and a splash of cleaning vinegar or a little soft soap. Wipe away any deposits with a soft brush or cloth. Don't use a scouring pad, because it can damage the pot.
Can you paint a flower pot?
We at elho advise against it, because recycled plastic is difficult to paint. If you're looking for a different colour, it's better to choose a pot in a colour that suits your interior straight away.
