Fabric Pots Breathing New Life Into Container Gardening

The breathable fabric material of these containers allows water and air to pass through to the root zone, promoting healthier roots. It also helps prevent circulating roots and keeps the soil cooler on hot summer days.

Unlike plastic pots, fabric containers are made with enduring materials that can be washed and sanitized for repeated use. They are also less expensive than many conventional container options, such as a 4 x 4 soil bed.

Air Pruning

While plastic pots can restrict root growth to a small area, fabric containers allow roots to penetrate to the soil underneath. This allows for a healthy and more fibrous root system that is much more efficient at absorbing nutrients and water from the surrounding soil.

As plant roots grow in natural fabrics like cotton they become denser, making them a more effective method for growing plants. The density of the root system also means that the roots aren’t as susceptible to fungus, bacteria and insects. As a result, your plants are healthier and can produce more flowers or fruit.

Another big benefit of fabric pots is that the breathable walls allow for air pruning. In standard plastic pots, as the roots reach the container’s edge they will start to circle the edges in search of oxygen-rich soil. This circling inhibits the plants ability to absorb nutrients and ultimately results in poor plant health over time.

However, in fabric pots as the roots begin to circle the container they are forced to pause and instead of continuing to grow outward toward the limit of the pot they will branch outward. This is known as air pruning and allows the plant to continue absorbing nutrition while avoiding the issue of becoming root bound.

This is especially helpful if you are planting plants that require more attention such as berries and tomatoes as it will reduce the likelihood of them being overgrown. Additionally, it will help your plants maintain proper nutrition as they grow and mature and it will also help prevent nutrient deficiencies in the soil which can occur when the roots become too long.

When choosing a fabric pot it’s important to look for a quality product that is made from enduring materials. Look for something that will withstand wear and tear, that you can throw in the washer or sanitize between growing seasons and that has handles to make it easy to move around your garden.

Megan is a maternal-child health dietitian and mom of two who is passionate about supporting families during the prenatal, postpartum, and toddler years. She has nearly a decade of experience working in maternal-child nutrition both domestically and abroad. She has advanced training in baby led weaning and is working towards her certification as a lactation consultant.

Better Temperature Control

Whether growing plants in the garden or in containers on the patio, proper temperature control is essential. The sun and heat can quickly warm up the soil and stunt plant growth. In addition, the high temperatures can cause root damage and encourage fungus and insect pests. With fabric pots, however, the breathable material helps keep the roots cool and healthy.

In comparison, plastic pots can often feel hot and dry to the touch, causing them to stress the plants. This can lead to poor growth, root rot and other problems.

Because of the breathable fabric, the roots are able to breathe and absorb moisture and nutrients more effectively. The fabric also keeps the soil cooler during hot summer days, which reduces stress on the plants. The breathable nature of the fabric can even help to prevent fungus and insect pests.

A reusable fabric container is a greener choice for the environment than a single-use plastic pot, especially when used repeatedly over the course of several seasons. It is also easy to wash and sanitize between uses, making it ideal for growing vegetables, fruits and flowers in the home.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a fabric pot, including the material and style of the pot itself. Look for a high-quality product made with materials that will stand up to the elements and resist tearing and puncturing. You should also choose a product that is BPA-free and does not contain any chemicals or dyes that could leach into the soil.

For those interested in trying a new type of container gardening, a fabric pot may be the right fit. Although they can be a little more expensive than traditional pots, the benefits are many and can improve the health and longevity of your plants. If you’re ready to give them a try, we recommend starting with the Herbgarden or Root Pouch options for a premium quality product that will last.

Better Water Retention

Unlike plastic pots which often trap water in their bottoms, fabric pots are permeable. They allow water to seep into the soil, helping keep it moist without overdoing it. They also limit evaporative loss from the sides of the container.

This makes them ideal for use in hot weather. When it gets hotter outside, the soil in your plants will lose moisture faster, which is why it’s important to water thoroughly but often. With a fabric pot, however, you can be sure that the water is going where it’s needed.

In fact, the water will wick up into the roots rather than just pooling in the top of the soil. This helps the plant retain nutrients and prevents leaching out.

It’s also helpful to choose a good quality soil mix for your garden containers. It will have the right balance of organic matter and nutrients to keep your plants healthy. Look for one that is rich in compost, vermiculite and moss.

Another key tip is to select the right plants for your pots. Make sure that all the plants in each container thrive under the same conditions. For example, if you’re planting a sun-loving plant in the same pot as a shade-loving one, they’ll compete for resources and may not thrive.

Finally, check your containers daily. Stick your finger into the soil and see if it feels damp or dry. Then water your plants until you see water run out the bottom of the container.

One final thing to keep in mind is that fabric pots can occasionally encourage too much root growth. This is because the plant’s roots can grow through the fabric, which can lead to root wrapping or even root-bound plants. To combat this, you can add a layer of mulch or hay over the soil to prevent the roots from growing too far. This will help you control how big your plants get, preventing them from getting too large for their containers and making it easier to weed them. It will also prevent the roots from becoming too wrapped around the pot and causing problems.

Better Storage

In addition to providing a lightweight option for growing plants in containers, fabric pots offer more benefits than traditional plastic or terracotta pots. They’re ideal for indoor gardens because they’re easier to move around and provide the flexibility of moving plants closer or further from the light source as needed. They’re also less expensive than plastic pots and can be reused over and over again.

Another advantage of using fabric grow bags is the fact that they prevent plant roots from becoming circling, a problem that’s common with traditional pots. Circulating roots inhibit plant growth by blocking oxygen, water and nutrients from entering the native soil.

This is because when a plant’s roots reach the edges of a traditional pot, they circle in an attempt to find more moisture and nutrients. In contrast, when a plant’s roots meet the edge of a fabric pot, they become “air pruned,” resulting in dense, finely branched root structures that are better able to absorb oxygen, water and nutrients.

Fabric pots also prevent overwatering, which is a major problem with many container plants. Because the material is permeable, excess water easily passes through the container and exits at the bottom. This prevents water from building up in the container, which is a common cause of root rot and overwatering.

The breath-ability of fabric pots also helps to regulate the temperature in the root zone. Plastic and terracotta pots tend to heat up in sunlight, which can stress the plants and lead to wilting and stunted growth. Fabric pots, on the other hand, allow air to move freely through the container and into the soil, cooling the root zone in the same way that evaporative cooling cools a home.

Finally, fabric pots make it easier to move your plants around and even transplant them into the garden. They are lightweight and most come with handles, making them much easier to lift than a bundle of conventional pots. This makes them perfect for indoor gardens where you’ll need to regularly move plants from one area to the other or for gardeners who prefer to work in small spaces, such as apartment balconies.