For indoor gardeners, fabric pots offer a host of benefits that make growing healthy plants easier. The breathable fabric prevents roots from becoming pot-bound, promoting a more robust root structure and instead develop a denser network of lateral roots.
Unlike plastic containers, fabric pots also offer excellent insulation, helping roots cope with fluctuations in temperature. If you’re curious about using these innovative planters in your own home garden, read on for 5 surprising ways they improve plant health:.
1. Better Air Pruning
Fabric pots offer better aeration and root health, which helps plants absorb water and nutrients more effectively. These benefits result in healthier, more robust plants that are better able to handle environmental stressors and produce higher yields or vibrant blooms.
The breathable nature of fabric pots allows air to circulate more efficiently, preventing excessive heat buildup in the soil during hot weather. This allows the roots to stay cool and encourages a dense, fibrous root structure that provides support for the plant.
Additionally, the porous material of fabric pots prevents root circling, which can happen in solid-walled containers and lead to over-watering and root rot. As roots grow toward the edges of a fabric pot, they encounter the dry air of the container’s walls and are “air pruned.” This process stops outward growth and redirects energy to creating new lateral roots that create a healthy, dense root system.
When planting in fabric pots, use a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix and fill to within a few inches of the top. Be sure to gently shake off any excess soil and water thoroughly after planting. Monitor soil moisture regularly and watch for signs of stress such as wilting, discoloration, or slowed growth, which can indicate that the roots are not getting enough water or nutrients. Address any issues promptly to avoid long-term damage. Prop your pots up if necessary to keep them stable, and regularly inspect them for signs of damage such as holes or tears that need to be repaired. Once the growing season is over or your plants outgrow the fabric pots, give them a wash and let them dry completely before storing for reuse.
2. Evaporative Cooling
Using the free latent heat of evaporation, fabric pots cool the roots in much the same way a traditional air conditioner does. Fabric pots also let water flow freely through the container so it can aerate and drain, which reduces root-bound conditions in the growing medium. This helps prevent rot and overwatering, which are the single biggest causes of houseplant death, by starving the roots of oxygen.
A simple experiment comparing plastic vs. fabric pots proves the point. Three identical pots were filled with the same amount of soil and placed in direct sunlight. The soil temperature of the plants was monitored from two inches below the surface all day until 7:00 pm. While the pot material had a slight effect on the soil temperature, the sun was the major factor. The fabric pots allowed the soil to maintain a cooler temperature and the roots remained healthy.
In addition to aerating and cooling the root zone, the breath-ability of fabric pots also helps prevent overwatering. This is a common mistake made by beginners and experienced growers alike and can lead to plant fungus, fungal diseases and bacterial infections in the soil. Overwatering is also the leading cause of plant death from nutrient deficiencies. The breathable nature of fabric pots makes it nearly impossible to over water, eliminating this potentially fatal problem.
With a few simple steps, you can easily make your own high-quality fabric containers to help your plants thrive. Start with some heavy cloth like canvas, denim or felt. Fold over a quarter-inch along one of the long edges, iron flat and then sew it straight across with a zigzag stitch. These fabric containers can be washed, sanitized and reused season after season.
3. Better Root Structure
The breathable fabric of these pots encourages the development of a more robust root system. The porous material allows air to reach the roots and promotes a process called “air pruning.” Root tips that hit the side of the container are pruned away, rather than growing round and round the wall of the pot (pot bound). This forces the plant to focus its energy on developing new lateral roots that can more efficiently absorb water and nutrients.
A healthy root system can be a significant factor in overall plant health, and it’s an easy way to help your garden thrive. Plants in fabric pots grow more evenly than plants in traditional plastic pots, and their root systems penetrate deeply into the soil, which helps them to thrive.
In addition, the breathable fabric of these containers allows air to circulate through the soil, which can help reduce thermal stress on delicate roots. This can be a common issue with some vegetable, flower, and tree varieties, especially in hot weather. Studies and anecdotal evidence indicate that plants in fabric pots have less heat stress than those in traditional plastic containers.
To get the most out of your fabric pots, fill them with a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix. Fill them up to within a few inches of the top, and then gently add more soil, packing it down gently to provide support. Use smaller pots for herbs and small annuals, while larger ones are ideal for vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Once planted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and hydrate the roots.
4. Better Water Retention
Unlike traditional plastic pots, fabric planters have a breathable construction that encourages vertical and horizontal root growth. This helps the plants’ roots stay healthy and prevents them from getting ‘pot bound’. When the roots reach the edge of a fabric pot, they are exposed to air and are naturally pruned so that the roots don’t circle back around the center of the pot (which can lead to water and nutrient loss).
The breathable fabric also enhances the flow of moisture through the soil. This allows excess water to evaporate more easily which reduces the risk of ‘waterlogging’ that can damage or kill your garden. The air and moisture management features of fabric planters are particularly beneficial in climates that experience high rainfall or for gardeners who are prone to overwatering.
However, it’s important to note that a plant in a fabric pot may need more frequent watering than one in a plastic pot because the soil tends to dry out faster due to the permeability of the potting mix. This is why it’s important to monitor the potting mix and your plant’s moisture needs regularly so that you can keep them both healthy and happy.
When the season is over and your plants are ready to move on to bigger homes in the yard or greenhouse, simply give your fabric pots a quick clean up and they’re ready for next year. Just empty the soil and give them a good shake, then wash them in lukewarm water with a mild detergent to get rid of any dirt or debris. Be sure to wring them dry before storing to avoid any mildew or mold problems next season.
5. Better Drainage
Unlike plastic pots that can take centuries to break down, fabric planters are made of recycled PET water bottles and other eco-friendly materials. They provide better aeration and drainage for plants, which helps them thrive. Additionally, they’re much lighter than traditional pots and can be collapsed down for easier storage and transportation. In addition, they’re biodegradable, allowing you to compost them once they’ve reached the end of their useful life.
One of the most significant benefits of using a fabric pot is that it improves root health. When roots approach the edges of a standard plastic container, they encounter solid material and are forced to curl around, resulting in a tangled, knotted mess known as root girdling. This condition prevents the root system from accessing nutrients and water and inhibits growth, but with a fabric pot, the roots are encouraged to spread out and become more fibrous. The result is a dense and robust root structure that improves the plants’ overall health and vitality.
When a plant’s roots come into contact with the sides of a fabric pot, they are exposed to air instead of solid material, which triggers a natural process called air pruning. This prevents roots from circling around the sides of the pot, which can lead to root-bound plants, reduced growth and poor health. Instead, air-pruned roots develop a more fibrous structure that allows them to absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.
As a result of the improved aeration and drainage, you can expect to see stronger growth, greater resilience to environmental stressors and higher yields or more vibrant blooms in your garden. By replacing plastic pots with breathable fabric containers, you can dramatically improve your plants’ quality of life and increase the amount of food or flowers they produce.
