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Plastic or Clay

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frankie
frankie Posts: 848 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
I have always grown my tomatoes in clay pots, but are these superior to plastic pots or the other way round. 

I need to add more pots so trying to decide whether plastic is OK as they are a lot cheaper.

Comments

  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 10,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 13 March 2022 at 8:31PM
    I grow mine in 10" plastic pots in my greenhouse - but would use clay outdoors.  The extra weight should help stop the plants from being blown over.
  • mumf
    mumf Posts: 604 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Plastic. Clay is old technology.
  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 10,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    But clay pots look much prettier on a patio.
  • MalMonroe
    MalMonroe Posts: 5,783 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Can you get environmentally friendly plastic ones? I thought the world generally was working towards a plastic free environment.
    Clay pots are much better, all round.  Plastic is just cheap, nasty and dangerous. Unless it's recyclable, of course. 
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 14 March 2022 at 8:10AM
    Yes you can.
    Some garden centres now only supply their pots as recyclable.

    Black plastic plant pots can't be recycled but some of the coloured ones can hence seeing differing colours now, i read this a couple of years ago, it's not new.
    Clay pots can't be recycled either.

    Plastics are being recycled, in their afterlife they're emerging as numerous different things - one such is clothing, many padded jackets and coats are made from recycled plastic.
    My last 2 winter coats were made from it, research it.
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,598 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    But clay pots are recyclable. They will disintegrate into the soil harmlessly as they are made from natural clay.
    To recycle plastic means more transport, more machinery to recreate them and transport onwards to be sold again.
    Clay, if the old fashioned sort, retains more moisture within the material around the roots but that means not the cheap ones that have a finish on them.
    I managed to get some of the old ones, charity stall and such like.

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