A beautiful jade plant in the right pot is every homeowner’s dream. Set it in the perfect spot to instantly transform your home or office.
Moreover, the right pot encourages proper drainage and aeration for healthy and strong plants.
It also boosts healthy root growth and preserves the potting mix to prevent the leeching of nutrients or the intrusion of pests.
With that in mind, we’ve researched and identified the best pots for jade plants for the lovers. Let’s jump right in.
What’s the Best Pot for Jade Plants?
Terracotta and clay are the best planters for Jade plants. Both are heavy for stability while offering excellent drainage. Also, high-quality terracotta and clay pots are durable. However, if you must pick one, handmade terracotta pots are the best. They are environment-friendly. Also, they are heavy and frost-resistant, allowing air to flow through the roots while retaining moisture.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Pots For Jade Plants
It helps to begin your search by understanding the hallmarks of a good planter. That way, you know where to focus when you go shopping.
1. Material
Jade planters come in various materials, from wood to clay and terracotta to ceramic. You may even use a plastic planter, provided it’s well-drained.
However, clay and terracotta pots are the most common as they’re the most natural.
Many jade plant lovers lean toward clay pots because they absorb moisture quickly, helping the potting mix to dry out.
This prevents water clogging while improving aeration. Similarly, unfinished terracotta pots offer a secondary drying effect due to tiny pores. Above all, both are heavy and stable.
Unfortunately, the two materials can be expensive. In that case, ceramic is a worthwhile option. Alternatively, consider wood or plastic planters.
2. Size
The planter size matters for several reasons. For instance, pot size directly affects watering, impacting plant health.
For example, extra-large pots increase the risk of waterlogging. Meanwhile, small pots may leave your plants starved if you don’t water them more frequently.
Additionally, the planter size affects the volume of the rooting medium and nutrients available to the plant.
For example, a small pot may not provide sufficient nutrients for a large plant. Also, you may need more soil for root development.
The good news is jade plants have a tiny, compact root system. So, you rarely need a large pot.
Also, Jade planters come in all sizes, and you can easily re-pot the plant to a smaller or larger pot. We recommend a planter 1-2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball for average-sized plants.
3. Weight and density
Jade plants grow tall, often to 8+ feet. Moreover, jades are heavy plants with dense stems and thick, succulent leaves.
So, they exert significant weight on the planter pot. Therefore, you must find a strong, sturdy pot. A heavy, sturdy container is less likely to topple if the top-heavy plant leans sideways.
However, this doesn’t mean you should forego all the beautiful light pots. If you like it, add rocks or landscaping gravel to the bottom to increase stability.
4. Stable base
Ideally, you want a planter with a stable base out of the box. This makes your work a lot easier.
Fortunately, many manufacturers make bigger, denser planter bases for heavier plants like jades. Alternatively, the manufacturer may offer a removable stabilizing base at a small fee.
If that’s not an option, find an out-of-the-box solution. One option is to purchase third-party structures with wide bases to keep the pot upright.
Alternatively, another option is to purchase a larger pot and fill the base with organic materials like wood chips, cones, sticks, and leaves.
5. Excellent drainage
The best jade pots are well-drained. Good drainage eliminates the risk of excess water and soggy soil, preventing root rot and similar health issues.
Water clogging around the roots also invites fungi, leading to preventable plant diseases.
The good news is that nearly all jade planters come with a drainage hole at the bottom. Indeed, a few have two or more drainage holes.
More holes are better if you’re prepared for a more gruelling watering routine.
6. Shape and personal preferences
You can find jade planters in many shapes, from square to rectangular and oval to round. Pick the one you love most.
Alternatively, find a shape that complements your decor. For instance, rectangular planters occupy more space.
So, they work best in large rooms. On the other hand, oval and circular plants are great for small spaces.
The planter colour is another important personal consideration. The good news is you can find jade planters in any colour you want. So, don’t stop at white or black.
Best Pot Types for Growing Jade Plants
Now we know what to look for when shopping for jade planters. So, let’s round up the best nine jade planters in 2023.
1. Terracotta Jade Planters
Terracotta is a special clay-based glazed or unglazed material. It’s mainly used to make flower pots but has many other applications, including roofing, brick-making, and plumbing.
It’s a dull ochre to red colour when fired, though orangish pots are the most common.
Terracotta pots mainly stand out for their natural porosity. The tiny holes in a terracotta planter make it breathable, keeping the potting soil always dry.
This is very important because the plant roots are often soaked in water immediately after watering.
Terracotta’s porosity facilitates evaporation to restore the right soil moisture level quickly.We also love terracotta planters for their high density.
The heavy material makes highly-stable jade planters. Moreover, it’s frost and fire-resistant.
Pros
- Highly porous pots to facilitate soil aeration
- Perfect for plants that prefer drier soil
- Perfect for cold climates
- Gorgeous indoors and outdoors
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Terracotta pots easily crack outdoors
- They dry out quickly if not lined inside
Best Terracotta Pots
- X-Large 12-Inch Terracotta Plant Pot with Drainage Hole from D’Vine Dev Store: This is a minimalist 12-inch pot with drainage holes and a saucer to catch the dripping water. The package includes a stainless steel drainage mesh.
- D’Vine Dev Geometric Pattern Terracotta Planter Pots: This set of two geometric pattern terracotta pots (4-inch and 6-inch) is ideal for smaller jade plants. The planters include stainless steel drainage hole meshes and tabletop felt pads.
2. Clay Planters for Jade Plants
Terracotta is clay that has meed moulded and fired. However, you can also find jade plants made from regular clay, also known as organic clay.
The three most common types of organic clay are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.
An earthenware clay pot is made from highly impure clay, with thick layers of glazing to slow down water drainage.
Meanwhile, stoneware pots are made from moderately-impure clay for less porous pots. Finally, porcelain pots have the fewest impurities and are the least porous.
Clay pots come in all shapes and sizes. More importantly, earthenware pots provide excellent drainage and aeration for jade plants.
However, consider one with a drainage hole at the bottom.
Pros
- You get a heavy pot with a stable base.
- Exceptional soil aeration
- Maximum drainage efficiency
- Prevent the soil from drying out.
Cons
- Clay pots break easily during movement
- They require more frequent watering
Best Clay Planters
- Accent Plus Embossed Earthenware Jewel Tone Flower Pots: These 12-inch bright-coloured large planters are perfect for indoor jade plants.
- Creative Co-Op Coastal Embossed Stoneware Planters: This 10-inch textured, minimalist stoneware planter perfectly fits an average-sized jade plant. It comes in a stunning mate finish.
3. Ceramic Jade Planters
Like terracotta pots, ceramic planters are made from clay. But there’s a small difference. Ceramics are made from finely-textured clay.
In addition, they are baked and glazed with a lacquer coat to prevent the soil from drying too quickly.
Terracotta planters are baked too – once. Meanwhile, ceramic pots are baked severally to reduce water absorption and porosity.
As a result, ceramic planters dry out slower than terracotta, reducing the watering frequency.
However, you must pay closer attention to prevent waterlogging and consequential root rot. That said, terracotta pots boast a shinier, more appealing finish.Moreover, you can paint the planter to match your decor.
The main downside is that they’re expensive. A ceramic pot is pricier than terracotta and several times more costly than an unglazed clay pot.
Pros
- Protect plant roots from temperature drops.
- Stronger and more durable than other clay pots
- Dense with a stable base.
Cons
- Ceramic pots are expensive
- They aren’t very breathable
Best Ceramic Pots for Jade Plants
- Gepenge Ceramic Indoor Pots for Plants: This set of three comprises 4, 5, and 6-inch rainbow pearl glaze planters from the Gepenge Store. Each has a large drainage hole, fitting mesh pads and rubber stoppers.
- Janska by Mueller M-Resin Heavy Duty Tall Planters: This set of two 20-inch indoor/outdoor ceramic planters from Mueller Austria are modern, stylish pots for frost and sun resistance. Built-in drainage systems and water trays eliminate messy leaks. You have a choice of five colours.
4. Plastic Jade Planter Pots
Plastic planters are mainly used for smaller houseplants because they’re lightweight. However, you can use heavier ones for jades and other taller plants.
They are highly cost-effective and both strong and durable. For instance, high-quality plastic pots are less likely to break from an accidental fall than clay and terracotta pots.
You’ll also appreciate that they keep plant roots warm at night. Above all, plastics are easy to handle and maintain.
Unfortunately, extra-lightweight plastic planters are prone to toppling. So, you need to reinforce the base. Also, ensure it has several drain holes, as plastic pots are non-permeable.
Pros
- Highly cost-effective
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- Plastics are non-permeable/non-breathable
- They are not biodegradable
Best Plastic Planters for Jade Plants
- Utopia Home Plant Pots with Drainage: This set of five decorative indoor flower pots comprises five 5-7 inches wide white planters. The reinforced ABS and PP plastic are extremely durable but cost-effective.
- The HC Companies Store 9-Inch Sedona Planter: The HC Companies make beautiful, low-cost plastic planters for all indoor plants. We specifically recommend this cottage stone finished planter for jade plants.
5. Wooden Planters for Jade Plants
You’re probably wondering whether you can grow jade plants in wooden planters. It’s a big yes! For one, wood is one of the most natural materials.
It immediately speaks to your love for nature and the environment. Additionally, wooden planters are beautiful, strong, and highly customizable.
Most importantly, wooden planters are highly breathable, stay cool, and retain water. Therefore, succulents, like jade plants, thrive in wooden containers.
However, you must find the right wooden plants to grow healthy jade plants. For instance, the best wooden planters are non-toxic and safe for the plant’s roots.
Also, the wood must be rot-resistant. For these reasons, cedar and redwood are the best choices. Drill holes through the bottom of the planter box to enhance drainage.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Strong and durable
- Breathable, with good drainage
Cons
- Wood planters may rot
- Pest attacks are common
Best Wooden Planters for Jade Plants
- Vtete 3-Piece Rustic Succulent Planter Boxes: This set of three rustic planter boxes targets succulent plants, including cacti and the money tree. The top diameters range from 4.7-7.5 inches, thus ideal for baby jades.
- Creative Co-Op 2-Piece Wooden Planters: These 13.5-inch and 10.2-inch planters are modern paulownia wood designs to enhance your decor. The hand-crafted, decorative pots are lightweight and fine-grained.
6. Fiberglass Planters for Jade Plants
Fibreglass is a recent addition to the lineup. They are made with sheets of spun glass fibres bonded together using polymer resin for strong but extremely lightweight planters.
During manufacture, the technician fills a mould with resin and then covers it in resin sheets. The set-up is then allowed to settle. After it dries, it’s sanded and painted.
Though they look like plastics, fibreglass planters are way more durable. For instance, outdoor fibreglass planters get through all four seasons unscathed.
Moreover, an automotive-grade finish slows wear and prevents discolouration from the sun, rain, or snow.
The planters may or may not have a drainage hole, though we strongly recommend a few holes.
Unfortunately, fibreglass planters are very expensive. Indeed, they’re among the priciest planters.
Also, fibreglass planters aren’t the most breathable. This can be a problem for succulent plants that don’t do well in wet conditions.
Pros
- More durable than other planter materials
- Highly customizable shapes, sizes, and colours
- Resistant to weather elements (sun, rain, snow, etc.)
Cons
- Low porosity
- More expensive than other planters
Best Fiberglass Planters for Jade Plants
- Cypress and Alabaster Eco-Friendly White Planter Pot: This is a hand-crafted Nature Leaf Round Designer Fiberglass Indoor/Outdoor Planter Pot. It’s a tad expensive at over $100. However, it’s extremely durable. The large 14.4-inch tall, 14.5-inch wide pot is ideal for large plants.
- Flora Bunda Fiberglass Pots on Legs: This mid-century ivory-white set comprises a 15-inch and 11.5-inch fibreglass planter. It’s 100% hand-crafted and ideal for tall plants. Moreover, it has loosely attached wooden legs that you can easily disassemble.
7. Fiberstone Planters for Jade Plants
Fiberstone is a great choice if you want something stronger and more breathable than fibreglass.
Its hybrid of fibreglass and crushed stone gives it a rougher but more porous structure. The sandy texture also makes it feel like real stone or finished concrete.
The combination of fibreglass and natural stone makes fibre-stone planters extremely versatile.
For instance, they equally thrive indoors and outdoors. Similarly, they are more beautiful than regular fibreglass and have a more natural feel.
Above all, fibre-stone planters are highly customizable. For instance, you can choose from many colours, shapes, and sizes.
You may encounter a few variations of fibre stone planters, such as fibre-sand and Ficonstone products.
Fibre sand merely replaces finely ground stone with coarse-textured stones. So it is highly breathable.
Meanwhile, Ficonstone planters combine fiberglass, sand, cement, and finely ground natural stone.
Pros
- Fibrestone is extremely durable.
- Lasts longer than fibreglass
- It’s more breathable than fibreglass
Cons
- It’s more expensive than plastic pots
Best Fiberstone Planters for Jade Plants
- Elly Decor 12-Inch Square Fiberstone Planter: This wood-mimicking fibre stone planter from Elly Decor is perfect for indoor and outdoor settings. It’s strong but lightweight. More importantly, it’s durable and highly weather-resistant. Each planter has a drainage hole to keep your plant happy.
- Elly Decor 12-Inch Conic Fiberstone Planter: This speckless-design fibre stone planter is another masterpiece from Elly DEcror. It’s lightweight but very durable. Also, it’s highly breathable thanks to its natural stone content. The weather-resistant planter is ideal for indoor and outdoor plants.
Are Metal Planters Good for Jade Plants?
Unfortunately, no. Metal is not a great choice for succulent planters. First, metal traps lots of heat.
Therefore, the potting soil can be very hot in the summer, increasing the risk of root damage. Moreover, the soil dries quickly after watering, necessitating frequent top-ups.
Also, metal planters become hot to the touch in hot weather. This makes handling a challenge or, worse, may burn children and pets. Above all, a hot planter can discolour wooden floors.
That said, metal planters are fine in colder zones with mild summers. In that case, you don’t have to worry about scorching hot potting mix or burns to children, pets, and wooden floors.
But even in that case, we only recommend it as a temporary solution for baby succulents. Remember to re-pot the plant to a ceramic, terracotta, or organic clay pot within a year.
Are Concrete Planters Good for Jade Plants?
Yes, concrete planters are fine for money plants and other succulents. They are highly breathable, guaranteeing fairly dry topsoil to prevent root rot.
Moreover, concrete planters absorb and release heat slowly, insulating your plants against temperature fluctuations.
We also mentioned that jades could grow up to eight feet tall. So, the plants often exert substantial weight on the pot.
Concrete is one of the few materials that can withstand the extra pressure of fully-grown jades.
You don’t have to worry about toppling or your plant getting knocked over. They are also long-lasting.
The main downside is that concrete planters contain lime, which bleeds into the potting mix every time you water the plant.
Unfortunately, excess lime creates a high soil pH that harms many plants, including jades.
Jade Plant Care Tips
The following are additional tips to ensure healthy and strong jade plants besides choosing the right planter pot;
- Use well-draining soil and potting mix
- Use the right amount of water when watering
- Re-pot every 2-3 years for healthier plants
- Ensure bright light but avoid direct sunlight
FAQs
Terracotta jade planters do jade plants like big or small pots?
Jade plants have small, shallow root systems. Therefore, they are easily overwhelmed in large pots with significant soil mass. For this reason, consider small pots, especially for baby jade plants. You can re-pot them into bigger pots when they grow big.
What should a jade plant be potted in?
The best home for a jade pot is a ceramic pot or a sturdy plastic pot with proper drainage. Either pot keeps your plant healthy and happy, provided you have a free-draining mix. The ideal pot size depends on the size of the Jade plant. But 4-6-inch pots work excellently for medium-sized plants.
Do jade plants grow in pots with holes?
Yes, jade plants perform best in pots with one or more drainage holes in the bottom. That’s because jades are highly susceptible to fungi and bacterial attacks. Unfortunately, moist conditions invite harmful microorganisms, causing root rot and leaf diseases.
What kind of soil is best for jade plant?
Jade plants naturally grow in a gritty, sandy or rocky area in South Africa. Indoors, it does well in an all-purpose potting mix. Thoroughly mix it with petite at a 2:1 ratio to improve drainage. Alternatively, you can grow jade plants in pre-made cacti or succulent potting mix.
Is it a great idea to plant jade in ceramic?
Yes, ceramic pots are excellent for jade plants. They are breathable, allowing air to pass through the sides to ensure well-aerated soils. Moreover, ceramic pots are well-drained for healthy and strong plants. Unfortunately, they are bulky and thus difficult to move around.
Summary
Terracotta planters are the best pots for jade plants. They are natural and highly breathable.
Additionally, terracotta pots guarantee optimal drainage, though you should consider a planter with a drainage hole.
Organic clay pots and ceramic planters are exceptional alternatives if you’re not a terracotta fan.
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