Container gardening can be a great way to maximize a small space or spruce up a balcony, patio, or entryway.  Many garden centers offer a large selection of plant containers, but how do you know what size, color, and style to choose?  Here are some factors to consider when picking the best container for your favorite plants. 

• SIZE.  Choose a container that best accommodates your plants without crowding the roots.  The more roots there are in the pot, the more you'll need to water it.  A container that's too small may become top heavy and unstable; a container that's too large will visually overwhelm your plants.
• SHAPE.  Deep but narrow containers generally drain better than shallow, wide containers.  That's because the taller the container, the more gravity pulls water down through the drainage holes.  Shape is also critical for deep-rooted plants such as carrots, because they need plenty of room to spread down into the container.
• DRAINAGE HOLES.  Containers must have dranage holes so access water can drain out of the pot.  If water can't escape, it may drown the roots.  When setting containers on patios and decks, place a saucer or old plate underneath them to protect the patio or deck surface from water stains.  Another solution is to place "feet" under teh pots.  The feet rain pots just above the deck or patio so water isn't trapped between the pot and the surface.  Feet are made from a number of materials, including terra cotta.
• SELF-WATERING CONTAINERS.  These containers primarily made from plastic, have a reservoir to hold water.  As plants need water, they pull it form the reservoir.  Self-watering containers are a good choice for gardeners who can't water plants daily, since the reservoir holds extra water for the plants to use as needed.
• COLOR.  Keep color in mind when choosing your containers.  The darker the color, the more heat the container absorbs.  In especially sunny spots, dark pots will sometimes absorb too much heat for plants to thrive.
• PLASTIC.  Plastic pots come in many colors, and they're lightweight and easy to move.  Plastic can become brittle in freezing temperatures, so it's best to protect plastic pots during the winter in cold climates by moving them indoors or to a sheltered spot where they won't be distrubed.  Some types of plastic, such as fiberglass, withstand freezing temperatures better than other types of plastic, and many have attractive finishes that look like metal or other natural materials.
• TERRA COTTA.  The classic "clay" containers, terra cotta pots have a wonderful color that looks good in most settings.  It is porous, making it a good choice for plants that like it on the dry side--for for gardeners who tend to water too much.  ON the down side, terra cotta is relatively heavy, breaks easily, can't be left outdoors in freezing weather, and may develop a white, crusty buildup of salts.
• WOOD.  Wooden containers have a rustic look.  Unfortunately, most woods (cedar and redwood being exceptions) will rot if not treated with a preservative.  It's best not to use treated wood containers for growing vegetables because chemicals in the wood may leach into the soil and be absorbed by the vegetables.

WE HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL HELP YOU TO DECIDE ON THE BEST POT FOR YOUR PLANTS.