A Bonsai Pot should add to the overall image of the little tree.

At least that's what I think. A Bonsai Pot is probably the most important accessory to a Bonsai tree, in fact, it is. A good pot both changes the height of the tree (by limiting the root size) as well as adds the overall image. After all, Bonsai is kind of known as 'trees in pots'!

You can choose all sorts of pots. You may have come across plastic Bonsai pots in your travels around both the internet and that of nurseries and other garden specialists. Is a plastic Bonsai pot a good idea?

Well a plastic pot is... well... a plastic pot. There is no escaping the fact the you are displaying something so beautiful and organic in something which has been made from oil. I tend to think that plastic Bonsai pots are also rather boring to look at. I have herbs in plastic pots out in the back of the garden... they are functional. They are not something to look at. Which is why I recommend that you get a ceramic pot. They come in much nicer designs, are much more 'earthy' in nature. They connect better with trees.

However I do agree that there are some times and places were it is more appropriate to get a plastic pot over a ceramic one. You might live in a climate that can get very cold, therefore making the ceramic brittle and breakable. Plastic Bonsai pots will almost never break which certainly is in their favor!

You might also really be on a budget and cannot afford some of the nicer pots out there. Perhaps there is a pot you have lying around. Certainly use it and you can transplant later when your Bonsai is ready for being displayed.

I would never display a Bonsai to guests in a plastic Bonsai pot. As I said, there are times and there are places for this arrangement however I think and believe that if you can put your tree in a ceramic pot, you should. You will thank me later. Ceramic pots can be bought fairly cheaply and you will certainly find one that you like the look of. You could even make your own if you're handy with clay.

Just remember that whatever the pot you choose for your Bonsai that it has holes in the bottom for drainage. You don't want your roots to rot.

Please take a look at my article on Bonsai Pots for more information.