Fabric pots pros and cons

Fabric pots

Fabric pots are a great alternative to standard plastic pots. They are in many ways superior to plastic, not only when it comes to growing itself – the impact of fabric on the environment is much lesser than that of plastics, especially ones not made for long-term use. Fabric might be more expensive, but its impact on your crops and the ecosystem is undeniable.One of the biggest advantages of fabric pots is root pruning. In plastic pots roots can easily become root bound – they hit the walls and start growing in circles. This can stunt growth and cause a whole slew of problems. The structure of fabric makes it so it is essentially filled with holes, towards which the roots start growing. They start sticking out through the holes, which causes the tips to dry out. This is beneficial, because it promotes root volume instead of length. Another asset is aeration of the roots. Fabric allows the roots to get much more air than they would get in a plastic pot. More available air means more healthy growth for your plant. Letting air penetrate the walls also contributes to temperature control. The fabric allows the temperature to even out easily. Many fabric pots come with handles, which make moving plants much easier than in plastic pots. With classic pots you have nothing but the ridge to hold onto, which can prove challenging with bigger root systems. They also take up far less space when in storage – no volume is wasted on having a rigid construction. 

How many years do fabric pots last? How many times can you use fabric pots?

Fabric pots last from a couple of years up to five, but your mileage may vary. They are reusable, so no need to buy new ones every time you replant. 

Do fabric pots need drainage holes?

They don’t. As fabric is a porous medium, it is not necessary to have drainage holes; the material is already full of tiny “drainage holesAre the fabric pots washable?Fabric pots can be washed in the washing machine with or  without detergent. They can also be soaked in warm water, so all salt residue dissolves and doesn’t influence your next grow. 

Fabric pots bottom watering method

The bottom watering method is exactly what it sounds like – a method of watering from the bottom instead of the top. The pot is put in a shallow container of water; this causes the soil to move the water upwards via capillary motion. This method moisturizes the soil better than ordinary watering and prevents waterlogging, as the soil will only take as much water as it can, while in the top method you can misjudge the dose and suffocate the roots. 

Which fabric pots to choose?

We offer two options for fabric pots. Herbgarden pots are classic high-quality fabric pots made out of natural materials. The other option is Root Pouch, which is not made of natural fibers, but rather recycled plastic. It functions a bit differently than natural fabric, but the effects are quite similar. Whatever fabric pot you choose, you can be sure you will be getting better results and helping the environment.