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Thinking of shopping for plastic containers for plants? Plastic is an excellent material for this purpose on the whole, though there are some other options worth thinking about as well, like ceramic. If you are in the market for cheap nursery pots, plastic can save you a lot of money—in fact, some plants can even thrive in regular plastic storage totes which you may already have on hand at home.

Regardless, you need to make sure that plastic is the right choice for each plant, so here are some questions to ask while you are trying to decide.

• Is plastic sturdy enough to support this plant? First of all, one of the benefits of using plastic bins for gardening is that they are lightweight. Picking them up and moving them around is quite easy compared to handling ceramic. This can be quite advantageous when dealing with a plant which is already heavy. On the converse side however, some plants and soil are too heavy for plastic, which may be too flimsy to support them. Make sure the material you are choosing will be adequate for your needs.

• Does this plant need a lot of moisture? If a plant requires a good deal of moisture in the soil, plastic may be the ideal material for the container. If on the other hand the plant in question thrives in drier conditions, you might be better served with a material like ceramic which absorbs water.

• Will the plant be located in a hot or bright spot? Plastic can be damaged by excess heat or light, so if the plant will be located in bright sunlight and a hot climate, another material may be a better choice. In partial or total shade or a cooler climate, this is unlikely to be an issue.

• Will it be easy to put in drainage holes? No matter what material you end up choosing for your planters, they will need to have drainage holes put in if they’re not there already. A thinner plastic will make this easier, so for lighter-weight plants which do not require the sturdiest plastic, keep this in mind.

• Is this particular plastic safe for this plant? Be aware that certain chemicals used to create plastic may sometimes leach into soil and be absorbed by plants. In some cases, this may adversely affect the health of your plants. If you are growing fruits or vegetables, it is particularly concerning, because you may end up consuming those contaminants yourself. Wildlife which eats your plants may also experience toxic effects. You can purchase plastic which are free of BPA and other toxins.

You now have some things to think about when you are weighing whether gardening in plastic bins is a good choice. In some cases, it may be your best option, but in other cases, another material like metal or ceramic may be more suitable. Decide individually with each of the plants you are growing, and you will have the most success with all of them.