The Best Pot for Orchids

Clay Pots

• The clay pot is porous, so it breathes better for plants that need well-aerated soil. But the clay pot takes the water away from the soil, which dries out the soil quicker, and more often, than a plastic pot. The pots keep the soil and roots cooler in an outdoor environment when the temperatures are hot.

Orchids for Clay Pots

• Orchids that grow best in clay pots are called epiphytic orchids, which can grow on trees or in bark material in pots. Cattleya, oncidium, dendrobium and laella orchids are epiphytic orchids. These types of orchids need well-aerated soil that dry between each watering.

Plastic Pots

• Plastic pots are not porous, so the soil doesn’t dry out quickly. The pots are best for orchids that don’t need the soil to dry out between each watering, don’t need aerated soil, and like warm roots and soil. When using plastic pots for orchids, use a clear one, because these pots collect heat from the sun, which keeps the soil warm. (You'll have to water the plant more often, though.)

Orchids for Plastic Pots

• Orchids that like moist soi, and are thus well-suited for plastic pots, are called terrestrial orchids. This type of orchid grows in the ground. The nun’s orchid and bamboo orchids are considered terrestrial orchids. The nun orchid needs moist soil, but is not watered until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry. Bamboo orchids need moist soil at all times and need water whenever the soil is damp to the touch.