flowerpot
This article is about the ceramic container. For the geological formation, see Stack (geology). For other uses, see Flowerpot (disambiguation).
Traditional flowerpots in unglazed terracotta in Charles Darwin's laboratory at Down House
Terracotta flowerpot in Italy, decorated with festoons
Jiffy pots: peat pots that are biodegradable and may be planted directly into the soil
Victorian decorative flowerpots at Kindrogan House, Enochdu, Scotland
A flowerpot, flower pot, planter, planterette, or alternatively plant pot is a container in which flowers and other plants are cultivated and displayed. Historically, and still to a significant extent today, they are made from plain terracotta with no ceramic glaze, with a round shape, tapering inwards. Flowerpots are now often also made from plastic, metal, wood, stone, or sometimes biodegradable material. An example of biodegradable pots are ones made of heavy brown paper, cardboard, or peat moss in which young plants for transplanting are grown.
For seedling starting in commercial greenhouses or polytunnels, pots usually take the form of trays with cells, each cell acting as one small pot. These trays are often called flats.
There are usually holes in the bottom of pots, to allow excess water to flow out,[1] sometimes to a saucer that is placed under the flowerpot. The plant can use this water with its roots, as needed. Recently, some flowerpots have been made with an automatic watering system, using a reservoir.
