What type of container is best for plants in terms of water?

Question

I found a small leafy plant discarded in a trash can at work. It still looked mostly healthy, so I trimmed off the dead parts and decided to keep it. The plant had a plastic container with holes on the bottom for water to drain.

My question is, will it hurt the plant to put it in a ceramic coffee cup? My concern is drainage. I am not sure if the roots will be harmed due to the water sitting down there since there are no holes at the bottom. The plant had its own potting soil so I just moved all of that, along with the plant, into the cup.

I don't know what species the plant is. The leaves are long, thin, and pointed, with pale streaks interspersed with the green.

Thanks for your help.

From a participant:

"Bottom watering is THE BEST for house plants, hands down! This way the potting soil can 'wick up' the water as needed. And by avoiding watering from the top keeps the nutrients in the soil where the plant can actually use them much better. (Top watering washes the nutrients through the soil and out of a container with holes in it's bottom.)"

Should I water the plant from the bottom? And another though, is soil-based growth dirtier or cleaner than using purely water? I actually don't water my plants enough to produce any drainage out that way, it seems. Holes on the bottom are more a disaster-case feature so far as used by me.

Update: The new plant now has a proper plastic holder. I'll probably get it a larger one.

Answer 1

Many had already mentioned that such plant seems to be spider plant. I was fond of such plant before. This plant looks so beautiful when hanged.For more an this plant:
http://www.evergrowing.com/tips/spiderplant.htm

You can use any container as long as holes at the bottom are created. You can buy plastic pot or clay pot. You can also recycle things within the household which can be made as plant pot. Milk cans or any plastic containers or anything as long as you make small holes at the bottom. Just be creative and you will make your own wonderful pot. If you prefer pots without bottom holes, this will largely affect the growth od the plant. Though you are not watering your plant excessively, you will not know that there maybe a water pooling at the bottom. Roots need both water and oxygen, and when surrounded by water, they cannot take up oxygen, thus the root will rot. Another reason is that excessive salt on the soil are washed up and gets out of the holes. Without holes, excessive salt can damage the roots which will greatly affect the plant - it may even die.

Very important thing to bear in mind is that such plant grows well fast if cared properly; that is with a fertile soil, adequate sunlight exposure and proper watering. Though it is a small plant you can see now, it will get thick thus an average sized pot is advised for cultivation right now. Holes at the bottom of the pot are very important as stagnating water within its roots will cause them to rot and your plant may die. (So be careful not to over water it. )Regular pot height is much better otherwise if your pot is short, place your potted plant above something which gives the water at the bottom to escape. Such plant is an excellent hanging plant ornament.

Believe me, with proper care with such small plant you will be able to propagate a garden of it if cared properly. It produces offshoot quickly which can be replanted easily. You may e-mail and ask me if you face any inquiry on transplanting it when the right time comes (thickened and matured offshoots).

>>Additional information<<
When the pot is watered from above, the tendency is for roots to grow near the surface where the nutrients are dissolved. This causes plants to be "shallow-rooted". With such reason, there are methods recommended which attempts to get water to the bottom of the pot. You will not "literally" water your plant from the bottom. ( You should not put your plant upside down). Submerging the potted plant with bottom holes on the water is one way to do it. If bubbles appear when submerged, it means the roots are still thirsty despite it is watered from the top. You may find more methods from this link: http://www.gardengrapevine.com/WateringPottedPlants.html

In response to your question regarding soil/ water issue: opting to what medium you will plant, is not mainly a matter of being cleaner or dirtier. The thing is that terrestial plants grows best on soil, and aquatic plants prefer water. The plant you have is a terrestial plant which suits best if planted on land.

Good luck!☺

Answer 2

The previous responders were right-on about bottom watering. This is particularly true for someone who has little experience such as yourself. I've found that I have great luck with the plastic "self watering" pots that are sold at mass-merchants. (such as Wall-Mart) They're cheap and very forgiving, but if you want to keep the pot you've got, get an old soup bowl for a saucer - there will be enough depth so that you can fill it half way. Full saucers always seem to get bumped, sending water on your stuff you want to keep dry. (At least that's what happens to me.) You may have heard about gradually increasing the size of a plant's pot as it grows, but modern potting soil's have made that less important. That said, plants almost always have too small a pot and really respond to a larger size, so maybe buy a small bag of potting mix. It may not be very PC, but the mixes with controlled-release fertilizer work great. Whatever you do, avoid "budget" or "house" brands - plants seem to know when they've been taken on a cheap date. Since it's winter right now you probably don't have to worry about giving your plant too much light. Put it in a bright, sunny place and hope for the best. AND, if for some reason it doesn't make it, you'll have a good pot and soil for try # 2. Good luck!

Thought after reading others: If it IS a spider plant, I have seen scarry photo's of them breaking ceramic pots. Spider plant roots don't look like roots - they're more like a mass of long, thin fleshy fingers. Maybe that will help in ID.

Answer 3

humm... you have 91 answers and I confess I did not read them all. Your plant probably won't do well in the coffee mug, but if that is where you would like to leave it, then I would suggest the wicke watering system for it. This is very simple to do and it will make sure the plant is not over watered or underwatered.
When you pot the plant. ( when you repot a plant, shake the dirt off of the roots to see if they have grown in a swirl pattern, if they have it is called root bound, you need to actually pull the roots out of the swirl pattern, and maybe trim them a little bit. It won't hurt them, if you are not too agressive. place the roots gently in a spread out pattern when you put it in its new pot so it will grow out ward and thrive better.) Anyway, back to the wicke. Take a 100 percent cotton cord, like a shoe string, and put it in the dirt with the plant all the way to the bottom where the roots are. Take the other end of the string and put it into a glass of water. place it on a level a little above the plant. not much, just a little bit. The plant will draw the moisture thru the string as the roots need it. This is the way people keep their plants watered when they go on extended vacations. Just keep an eye on the water level in the glass and don't let it get funky, you with that slimy stuff of bacteria that happens to water that sits.
The roots of the plant shouldn't rot this way. But I really think you need to get it a for real pot to grow in. Walmart is the word.
lol

Answer 4

Okay you have two options. The first is, you can put rocks in the bottom of the cup and then put in your plant and soil. The rocks will keep the plant from sitting in a pool of water, but the dirt will be able to absorb the water when the roots need it. Your other option is to put a sponge in the bottom of the cup. Just cut it so that it is nice and round and just perfectly fits in the bottom of the cup. Same idea, and it is also good if you occasionally forget to water your plants like you should. The sponge will absorb extra water that the plant doesnt need and gives it back when the roots are extra needy for it. Im know Im not the best green thumb and my plants are flourishing ever since i learned this little trick. One other thing.. dont get discouraged, but the type of plant you have will always get brown tips, thats just the nature of the plant. Pointy tips just dont absorb water well. To keep it looking green, you will need to clip the pointed brown ends every other month or so. It wont hurt the plant, and will keep it looking green and healthy... thats a little tip I learned from my florist. :)

Answer 5

greetings and congradulations on the plant rescue. When the question comes down to the plants preferance to living quarters; the design and material is only a managing preferance. The more key information needed on this plants chances for a happy and comfy dwelling is how much attention are you going to give. Drainage, if there is no holes, can be curtailed with a layer of small pebbles and then i lay a piece of paper over them,then a light poris soil mix. then after the plant is in i lay a few wood shavings on the top to prevent watering creators. If you are going to set up a regular check water when it looks thirsty and a little plant feeding once a month and not forget the new family member, you'll see a look of graditude soon. and when your baby out grows its crib you'll have to find changing pots and adding new soil a good practice , i do my repotting in the fall. blessings.

Answer 6

Well this is an i dea for you ok! take and reroot part of the plant in just a glass of water and get some new roots on a smaller piece of the plant. Also i have found that Fresh rain water is the best for plants of any sort.I never have open holes at the bottom of my plants and so if you have a good container where it can get at least moderate lighting and dont over water it ust like maybe two days a week that should be plenty and maybe just get some of the plant food sticks to pu tin the pot with it. My best advice.

Answer 7

It sounds as if you may have a spider plant. I prefer ceramic pots, with drainage holes (put the plant on a plant saucer), because the plant can "breathe" better through a porous container. If the roots seem all tangled up with little soil, untangle them, trim excess, and add more potting soil when you place the plant in a slightly larger pot than the original one. Water thoroughly, let the excess drain out (don't let the pot sit in water) and wait until the top 2 inches of soil are dry before you add more water. If it is a spider plant, bright, indirect light is fine.

Answer 8

Ken, U r artistic! I like that idea! I use to glow plant in pot with no drainage hole too! I glow them with Chinese clay pot and Chinese steamboat pot ( use in Chinese cooking ) and display them on the coffee table and dinning table. U got 2 way of taking can of the watering problem.
1) Have the plant glow in the pot /coffee cup or mug directly ( any that got not holes at the bottom). During transplant-1st water the plant before transplant, and drain dry. Just keep it damp will do. Now transfer it to the new pot /coffee cup or mug and make sure the plant sit firm in the pot /coffee cup or mug by pressing the soil down slightly. Clean the pot /coffee cup or mug with cloth or sponge. Use a spray can to shower the plant and a little on the soil. U doesn’t need to water the plant that often. Just give them a light shower and a little on the soil just to keep it moist, depending on the weather.

2) Find any plastic container that fit in to the pot /coffee cup or mug. Trim the plastic container to the height of the pot /coffee cup or mug and make holes at the bottom of the plastic container. Next transplant the plant in to the plastic container. Then place the plant with the plastic container into the pot /coffee cup or mug with a sponge ( 1/2 inches ) at the bottom. This will soak up any extra water and prevent mosquito breeding. Just lightly shower them water normally. And don't forget to remove the water in the sponge at less once a week.

Answer 9

The plant sounds like it might be a "spider plant". If it is, please check http://www.victoriana.ws/Product.asp?PID=591. Regardless, you are right to be concerned about drainage; the roots will rot if they are confined in water that doesn't move. A ceramic coffee cup would not be a good choice for at least two reasons: one, it's probably not big enough, and two, it is not porous and will not permit drainage unless you drill holes in the bottom of the cup.

The roots need a place to go to find nutrients, so you'll need a pot with drainage holes like the one it was in, but try an unglazed clay pot. The pot should be somewhat bigger (for the roots to expand) and you should give the plant some fresh, clean potting soil or at least some type of new soil. Water it regularly, but don't over-water it. You'll know it needs water when the leaves droop a little - unless they're drooping because of over-watering. Make sure the surface of the soil is dry before you water your new buddy again.

When it looks a little more healthy, take it to a garden center and ask an 'expert' to identify the treasure so that you can find out more about caring for it - like what type of soil it prefers; what pH it prefers; how much sunlight it likes; what type of fertilizer to use; what kind of pests might you have to control; how to propagate or transplant it?

Answer 10

I would use a breathable pot, one that is porous, such as a clay pot.

They can prevent the water staying in the plant to long, and causing rot.

I'm not sure I would transplant this plant, if it looks like it could use a rest right now, cause' it might be too stressful for the plant.

Just give it as much love as you can, keep all things in moderation, making sure not to overdue anything.

If it has been underwatered let it dry out alittle, or the reverse, give it more water if it is dry, etc.

I used to give plant spikes for fertilizer, to plants that I can't repot for health reasons yet.

Keep in a warm enough place.

What a nice thing to do, rescue this plant. I really believe it will feel you're love, and respond to that accordingly.

There might not have really been a problem with it, but what one person discards is often another's treasure.

Good Luck to you, and you're plant that has found a true friend.