Do Clay Pots Need To Be Soaked For Plants?

Soaking clay pots before using them for plants is a common practice but one that has both advantages and disadvantages. Clay pots have been used for centuries to grow plants both indoors and out. Their porous nature allows air and moisture to reach plant roots. However, dry clay pots can initially soak up moisture from the soil. Pre-soaking helps saturate the clay before planting.

In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of soaking clay pots and when you should or shouldn’t soak them. We’ll cover proper soaking techniques, aftercare once soaked, alternatives to soaking, examples of good plants for clay pots, and tips for getting the most out of clay pots for your plants.

Pros of Soaking Clay Pots

There are several benefits to soaking new clay pots before using them with plants. Soaking allows water to fully penetrate the pores of the clay and expand the pot. According to this source, terracotta is porous and soaking enables the clay to become saturated with moisture. When the clay is saturated prior to planting, it reduces the risk of the pot cracking or breaking when water is later added to the dry clay. Soaking also helps remove any salts or minerals that may be present in the clay from the manufacturing process.

Cons of Soaking Clay Pots

While soaking clay pots can provide some benefits, there are also some potential downsides to be aware of:

Over-saturation – If clay pots are soaked for too long, it can lead to over-saturation. The porous material will absorb a lot of water quickly and can become waterlogged (Source 1). This can increase the risk of problems like root rot in the planted pot.

Time and effort – Properly soaking clay pots takes time and effort. The pots need to soak for an adequate amount of time, which can range from 20 minutes to overnight. This requires planning ahead and can be an inconvenient extra step (Source 2).

May be unnecessary – Recent research has found that soaking clay pots before use may not actually be that beneficial. The moisture absorbed during soaking evaporates within a day or less. Since it takes longer to plant after soaking, the pots end up dry anyway (Source 3).

When to Soak vs Not Soak Clay Pots

Only unglazed terra cotta pots need to be soaked before use. The porous nature of unglazed terra cotta allows water to evaporate through the sides of the pot, so soaking helps saturate the clay before planting. This prevents the soil from drying out too quickly once planted.

In contrast, glazed and ceramic pots have an impermeable glaze coating that prevents evaporation, so soaking is unnecessary. The glaze creates a barrier between the water and clay. Since no moisture escapes, plants in glazed pots maintain hydration even without soaking.

New, unglazed terra cotta pots should always be soaked before first use. The initial soaking allows the clay to become fully saturated. Used unglazed pots may not need soaking every time before replanting. However, soaking used pots periodically helps re-saturate the clay.

How to Soak Clay Pots

To properly soak clay pots before use, start by fully submerging the empty pot in water for at least 15-30 minutes to allow it to absorb moisture and become saturated. Larger pots or pots that have been previously used may require longer soak times on the order of a few hours to overnight. Be sure to change the water periodically if soaking a used pot to remove any salts or mineral deposits. According to Apartment Therapy, “Ideally, you should soak your terracotta pot overnight in a sink or bucket (or bathtub if you have more than a few pots to prepare)”.

Aftercare Once Soaked

After soaking clay pots, it’s important to allow them to air dry fully before use. Waterlogged pots can leak or even crack when filled with soil and planted. Let the pots sit out for 24-48 hours to dry thoroughly before planting (source).

Before using clay pots, check them over carefully for any cracks or defects that may have occurred during the soaking process. Tap gently on the inside and outside surfaces and look closely to ensure no damage. Small hairline cracks may be okay, but discard any pots with major cracks or flaws.

Depending on your climate and the porosity of the clay, soaked pots may need occasional re-soaking over time. If plants start to dry out too quickly, place the pots in water again overnight. This will re-hydrate and expand the clay to better retain moisture. Re-soak clay pots as needed, usually every few months (source).

Alternatives to Soaking

If you don’t have time to soak your clay pots before use, there are a few alternatives to help prepare the pot:

Scrub the interior walls with a brush – Using a stiff brush, scrub the inside of the clay pot before adding soil and plants. This helps remove any dust or debris and slightly moistens the surface.

Rinse thoroughly before use – Give the pot a good rinse under running water before planting. Allow it to drain fully so no standing water remains inside.

Add gravel layer at bottom for drainage – Put a 1-2 inch layer of gravel, pebbles, or broken terracotta pieces in the bottom of the pot before adding soil. This creates a reservoir to collect excess water and prevents soil from washing out drainage holes.

While quick soaking is ideal for hydrating clay pots, taking the time to scrub, rinse, and add rocks can help mimic some of the effects in a pinch. Just monitor soil moisture closely, as unsoaked clay will draw more water from the soil.

Examples of Plants for Clay Pots

Many plants thrive in terra cotta pots, especially drought-resistant and Mediterranean varieties that appreciate the drying effect of clay. Here are some top options:

Succulents like echeveria, aloe, jade plant, and kalanchoe do very well in terra cotta pots, as the clay allows excess moisture to evaporate, preventing rot in these fleshy plants. Their shallow root systems also appreciate the air pruning effect of terra cotta (Source).

Cacti are another excellent choice, since they originate from hot, arid climates and require fast-draining soil. The terra cotta helps prevent soggy soil and provides excellent aeration (Source).

Orchids thrive in terra cotta’s porous environment, which mimics the free-draining conditions where epiphytic orchids grow in tropical forests. The clay’s humidity control also suits orchids (Source).

Other moisture-loving plants like thyme, rosemary, lavender, and succulents do very well in terra cotta pots both indoors and out. The terra cotta controls moisture levels for these Mediterranean herbs and prevents overwatering (Source).

Tips for Using Clay Pots

When using clay pots for plants, it’s important to follow some basic tips to help them thrive:

Choose the proper pot size for the plant. Generally, the pot should be just large enough to contain the root ball with a bit of extra room for growth. Overpotting can lead to problems with too much moisture retention.

Use saucers or plant trays underneath clay pots to protect furniture and surfaces. Clay is porous and will allow water to seep through. The saucers catch excess moisture and prevent stains.

Group clay pots close together to create a visually appealing display. Their earthy terra cotta coloring and rounded shapes lend a natural, rustic look when clustered. Match pots by color and style for a cohesive aesthetic.

Rotate clay pots occasionally so all sides of the plant get equal light exposure. Their opaque material blocks sunlight from reaching sections not facing outward.

Consider painting or sealing the interior if growing delicate plants prone to drying out. Unsealed terra cotta rapidly draws moisture away from the soil and increases watering needs.

Avoid leaving plants in overly large pots long term. Downsize as the root system expands to match the container size. Excess soil will retain more moisture than necessary.

Conclusion

To recap, soaking clay pots before using them for plants is beneficial but not always necessary. The main benefits of soaking clay pots include preventing the soil from drying out too quickly and allowing the pot to absorb water, which helps buffer moisture for the plant’s roots. However, soaking is not mandatory and some plants actually prefer their soil to dry out faster between waterings.

The key takeaways on soaking clay pots are:

• Soak pots for at least 30 minutes before first use to saturate the clay
• Only soak pots that are unglazed on the inside, as glazed pots do not absorb water
• Soaking is most helpful for pots used for seedlings or moisture-loving plants
• Avoid soaking pots that will hold cacti, succulents or other drought-resistant plants

When used properly, clay pots provide natural advantages for many plants. The breathable clay allows healthy air and moisture flow to plant roots. Clay pots also help regulate soil temperature. With the right soaking approach for specific plants, clay pots can create an ideal growing environment.