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Biodegradable Pots: What You Need to Know

Decomposition of an ecofriendly container depends on many factors

Fine Gardening - Issue 197
biodegradable pots
Background photo: Stephanie Fagan. Pot photos: courtesy of Bodie Penninsi.

How fast do alternative plant containers break down, and do they inhibit root growth? These are common questions when talking about biocontainers. Decomposition of an ecofriendly container depends on many factors, the major ones being the type of container, the environment where it’s planted, and what type of plant is in it. Take, for instance, containers made of cow manure. Studies show up to 88% decomposition when annuals were planted in-ground with cow pots. The studies have been done predominantly in the Southeast, so high summer temperatures and regular rainfall have played an important role. The same studies concluded that plantable containers did not hinder plant establishment and post-transplant growth.

The question is open for longer growing cycles and other types of plants (like shrubs). Here, research is limited. If a crop is grown for a longer time, the container must be stronger to withstand the production conditions. This is why you often see these crops grown in compostable pots, which degrade at a slower rate. Initial research shows that if a stronger form of a plantable container is used, making four long cuts in the sides of the pot before planting is enough to encourage root growth.

For the best success—that is, a happy plant—the type of container should match the crop. The images below shows which types of plants are best suited for certain types of green containers. Look for these pairings when shopping.

Cow pot (plantable)

Cow pot
Photos: Phanuwatn/dreamstime.com (center); Shawn Hempel/dreamstime.com (right)

Made from: Dehydrated cow manure mixed with recycled cardboard pulp 

Suitable for: Annuals and vegetable transplants

Nasturtium
Nasturtium. Photo: Stephanie Fagan

Tomato
Tomato. Photo: Scott Phillips

 

Recycled paper (plantable)

Recycled paper pot
Photos: Design56/dreamstime.com (center); Minoandriani/dreamstime.com (right)

Made from: Different types of recycled paper, including newspaper

Suitable for: Annuals, perennials, and vegetable transplants

Moonflower
Moonflower. Photo: Stephanie Fagan

Cucumber
Cucumber. Photo: FG staff

 

Paper sleeve (plantable)

Plant paper sleeve
Photo: Tatiana Karkotskaya/dreamstime.com (right)

Made from: Wood fibers

Suitable for: Annuals, plugs, and vegetable transplants

Begonia
Begonia. Photo: Stephanie Fagan

Eggplant
Eggplant. Photo: FG staff

 

Coconut coir (compostable/plantable)

Coconut coir pot
Photo: Tatyana Abramovich/dreamstime.com (right)

Made from: Coconut fiber

Suitable for: Perennials and woody plants

Coneflower
Coneflower. Photo: Stephanie Fagan

Beautyberry
Beautyberry. Photo: Stephanie Fagan

Bodie Pennisi is a professor and researcher at the College of Agriculture at the University of Georgia. She is also a statewide extension landscape specialist and has studied the plant industry for years.

Biodegradable pot photos: Bodie Pennisi

To learn more about biodegradable pots, check out Earth-Friendly Containers.

Previous: Use Branches to Add Color to a Container Next: Potting Soil Recipe for Annuals
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