Setting up a new hydroponics garden can leave you with the grocery store question of “paper or plastic,” although it’s actually a question of what kind of pot you should use for your plants. Yes, fabric and plastic pots are just containers to hold whatever grow medium or soil you want to use, but the pot you choose has a direct effect on the health and well-being of your plants. Knowing the pros and cons of each pot material and how they affect your plants can make a world of difference depending on your plant’s needs and growing environment.

Plastic pots and buckets have been used in greenhouses and gardens for decades. Sturdy and reusable, these pots are cheap enough that a few damaged pots in a set won’t even slow you down. They come in a variety of options from perforated aeration pots and net cups to standard solid pots with holes in their bases. But, a standard plastic pot will run into issues with root binding, where the roots outgrow their container and begin to enwrap and tangle themselves within the soil or grow medium. Root binding can waterlog a plant and deny itself the oxygen that roots need to survive. This can be mitigated by net or mesh cups that allow some air-pruning, but binds may still occur. Even worse is the danger of overheating. Plastic prevents the ground from cooling normally and can trap heat within the pot, damaging roots.