A well-designed metal flower pot is an attractive attraction in your garden. But some problems come with using them. Rust for one is a problem. The flower pots can become unattractive over time if not attended to.
Metal containers are becoming popular for gardening enthusiasts, especially those who want a modern, contemporary look. It can be made from copper, cast iron, and galvanized zinc. It is virtually indestructible but it can have its drawbacks too.
Here are some of the disadvantages of using metal flower pots that you should know before deciding on buying them for your plants.
It is a good conductor of cold and heat
We all know that metal is a good conductor and that means your metal pots can conduct heat or cold from the outside weather to the potting soil. When the weather is hot due to the strong sunlight, it will heat the soil and cook up the roots causing damages to the plant.
On the other hand, if it is cold outside, the soil and the roots will freeze, also causing damage. To prevent these from happening, you need to use insulation foam to separate the potting soil from the metal sides of the pot.
You can also use a plastic pot inside the metal container. It will provide a layer of air, insulating the soil from the heat and cold.
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It can rust
We have extensively discussed rusting in metal flower pots. Rust can cause damage to the pot and the potting soil. There are many ways to prevent this from happening. Including choosing the galvanized material option or painting the metal pots with rust-resistant paint.
It can cause a possible health risk
Some of the components of metal flower pots can be toxic to pets, humans, and even plants. Metal flower pots coated with acrylic or zinc can leach into the soil and are harmful to plants and animals if an excessive quantity.
The simple solution to the problem is by isolating the metal flower pot from the soil. You can do this by letting the plant grow in a plastic pot and place it inside the metal planter.
It is heavy
Admit it, metal flower pots are heavy to move around, especially when you add potting soil and the plant into it. To solve this conundrum, you need to decide the location where you want the plant to be before adding soil to it.
You can also place the metal flower pot into a moving tray to move the planter conveniently around.
It could lead to overwatering
Another common problem of using metal flower pots is overwatering. Since you cannot determine the exact water going into your plant, you will not know that the soil and the roots are getting more water than they need.
One problem with metal flower pots is they don’t have drainage holes at the bottom, causing water to collect. You can solve this problem, see to it that the metal pot you are buying has a drainage hole or drill a hole at the bottom. It will help remove the excess water and prevent overwatering.