Clean Flower Pots Before Reusing Them (No Harm to Plants)
As many houseplants and flowers mature, they outgrow the original pots and containers they called home and need to move into something bigger. And while reusing the pot is a great option, it’s important to make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned before transferring a new plant into it and rooting it. Here’s what you need to know about how and why to do it without damaging the plants.
Why you need to wash flower pots before reuse
Let’s say you had a flower pot full of dirt that you emptied along with the plant itself. It may seem pointless to put in the effort of cleaning out the container if you’re going to turn around and get it covered in more dirt, but it’s not.
Whether the pot is made of clay, plastic, or other material, mineral deposits and other debris can build up in the pot over time and may contain disease-causing organisms, according to the Iowa State University (ISUE) Extension . And if you don’t clean and sanitize pots before reuse, they can harm their new inhabitants.
How to clean flower pots and containers
The amount of time and effort required to clean and disinfect flower pots and containers depends on their material and condition. Here are some recommendations:
How to clean unglazed clay pots (including terracotta)
One of the reasons why traditional terracotta pots are so popular with gardeners is that they are porous , which means they allow air and water to pass through, which helps prevent the plant and its roots from rotting. But their porosity also makes them difficult to clean.
Start by removing any mineral deposits or other debris with steel wool or a wire bristle brush, then rinse the pots quickly. Then fill a container (such as a bucket, plastic storage bag, etc.) with one part of white vinegar for four or five pots of hot water and a small amount of mild liquid dish soap. Let the pots soak.
Fill a sink or other container with a mixture of one part white vinegar and four or five parts hot water, then add a small amount of liquid dish soap. Soak the pots for at least an hour, but up to 24 hours if needed. Finally, rinse the pot to prepare it for disinfection (instructions for this are below).
Glazed ceramic pots
The vinegar solution described above is also suitable for glazed ceramic pots, but this time do not use steel wool and a wire brush. Instead, scrape off stubborn mineral deposits with a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water, then rinse and disinfect.
plastic pots
Any of the above methods work for plastic pots. Or, if they’re not in bad shape, you can wash them with a sponge, hot water, and dish soap. As always, rinse and then disinfect.
How to disinfect flower pots and containers
When the pots are clean, it’s time to sanitize them. According to ISUE , the same sanitizing method works for any pot or container, no matter what it’s made of. Here’s what to do :
- Rinse the pot thoroughly before disinfecting, especially if you have used vinegar. We’re going to use bleach, and combining it with vinegar can create dangerous chlorine gas.
- Fill a large container (or sink) with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach.
- Completely submerge the pot in the solution and leave for 30 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly again before use.
- Place the cleaned and sanitized pots in the sun to dry (without stacking them).
You can also sanitize glazed ceramic and plastic pots by running them in the dishwasher.