Potting

Potting is a term with several related meanings in horticulture and ceramics. In gardening, it most often refers to growing plants in pots or the medium used for potted plants. In ceramics and pottery, potting can describe the creation or shaping of pots, typically on a wheel or by hand.

In horticulture, potting up means moving a plant from one container to another, usually into a pot that offers more room for root growth. The potting medium used for potted plants is typically a potting mix or, less commonly, potting soil. A potting mix is a soilless blend designed for drainage and aeration and may contain materials such as peat moss or coir, composted bark, and inert components like perlite or vermiculite. Potting soil is soil-based and may be heavier and slower to drain. Different formulations exist for seed starting, tropicals, succulents, and other plant groups.

Key considerations when potting include choosing a pot with adequate drainage, selecting an appropriate size, and using a medium suited to the plant’s needs. After potting, plants generally require careful watering to establish roots, followed by regular maintenance, including occasional repotting every one to two years or when growth becomes constrained by the container.

In ceramics, potting refers to the process of shaping clay into pots, using techniques such as wheel throwing or hand-building. Finished pots are typically dried, fired, and glazed for use as containers for plants or decorative objects. The term highlights the pot as a vessel and a distinct product within pottery production.