Are Ikea containers decorative outer pots or to hold potting mix?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

(Yes a post about actual containers.)

Knowing I like plants, a relative in an Ikea-area said they sell nice inexpensive pots.

So checked their website and can't tell from most photos if they have drainage. Also some the materials are unfamiliar to me. (I'm used to plastic and clay.)

These sound OK:
- Silicone treated red clay
- Polypropylene

These are out of my experience:
- Steel with or without a coating
---- Galvanized steel
---- Galvanized steel, Epoxy powder coating
---- Steel, Powder coating
---- Steel, Polyester powder coating
- Earthenware, Powder coating, Lacquered interior

Appreciate any comments.

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Comments (12)

ewwmayo
8 years ago
The problem with metal containers is rust. For the five you list below, here is how I would rank them in terms of corrosion-resistance (from best to worst):
1. Earthenware, powder coated, lacquered interior.
2. Galvanized steel, epoxy powder coating
3. Steel, polyester powder coating
4. Galvanized steel
5. Steel, powder coating.
The amount of time it takes for them to rust would be dependent on environmental conditions (humidity, sitting water, etc) in conjunction with the coating and zinc layer thicknesses.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Rust issues aside, if they come fitted with drainage holes, they can be planted in directly regardless of their material. Otherwise, they are best suited as a decorative outer container for a more functional or utilitarian container (one with proper drain holes). Or............you can drill your own drain holes and use them as you would any other type of container.
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Hello Everyone!!! Just wanted to add my 2 cents here!! ;-) Powder.. I have tried to figure out a plan for keeping those roots from frying in the summer as well. During the month of August here in VA, We can have temps in the triple digits and my containers on the deck can get pretty hot. I first experimented with taking shelving paper from Lowes and placing it around the outside of the containers.. Like you said, white containers would work well at this time of the year. So i tried this method... it worked well, but i didn't like the look.. Here is a picture of that experiment and then my other solution to taking the black containers and placing them inside another container with mulch around (in between) to act as a barrier and it worked well. Here is the "ugly" look.. LOL.. This lasted for maybe three days.. then i had to change. This was two years ago and my trees were small.. They are much bigger now.. (VW's) in containers.. ;-) Here are the continers that i go to in the middle of the summer. At this time of the year, they stay in the black and then when it get close to 100* i place them inside the other with the mulch... the containers ( need to be larger) this will be the change this year... just saw this DR in the Gritty Mix.. thought i let you see!! one of my favorites.. Lani Here is the pic from an experiment i did.. same cutting cut from the same tree at the same time. Potted up in half perlite nd cactus and the other cutting in Gritty mix. You can see the difference in the size of the roots. The gritty had bigger healthier roots. Some have talked about watering the cuttings as they root. I will spray my cuttings if i feel they need some moisture. I will also use the rim method to water if i feel they are way to dry. I know some water or give a taste of water every ten days.. But what i want to mention is that we All live in different climates. We all have had our share of loss when rooting. We know from past experience what they need and when they need it. So i may have to help them with moisture more than someone in Canada. People in Texas and CA, Florida have their own needs to water... We all have to learn the way that our cuttings behave. I like to experiment with my trees and cuttings. I know what they need and how to give moisture when needed. SO when i give or spray water.. i give the cuttings that are rooting in the Gritty as well as in the perlite/cactus mix the same amount of water... Just wanted to share!! ;-) I do give them the first intial watering and let them be.. i will keep an eye on them and when rooting in the summer and them temps are hot.. i will give them water. It aall dependss on how we know our cuttings and when to give them water. It is so hard to tell exactly how and when.. Jeannie Moragne My trees havve grown so much since those pics on the deck.. i have tried to post another pic of them last year, but photobucket isn't being nice tonight.. i have to post before i lose all of this post. i will add if i can find a good pic!!! Hope this helps... Take care, Laura
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ewwmayo
8 years ago
Just wanted to add that if you drill any steel containers for pots, deburr (remove sharp bits), and paint with zinc-rich paint to prevent rusting.

Rustoleum typically contains 90%+ zinc.
jy20thcent_5a
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for commenting.

No local store to visually determine the presence or absence of drain holes to suggest their intended/marketed use. Do recall seeing more than one post on GW declaring happiness with large galvanized tubs in outdoor gardens, but for general indoor use I'd certainly want to avoid any chance of corrosion (and associated staining). And appreciate the reminder to restore a continuous protective coating after any cutting or drilling.
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Did you ever try calling or emailing them to ask? Usually IKEA customer service is pretty good.
jy20thcent_5a
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I emailed and they responded a couple of days later that the request would be routed somewhere appropriate, so in the meantime just asked my cousin to take a look (or take a few pics) next time she goes to her local store.
Tamiya #1 (AU, SG, MY & ZZZzzzz...)
8 years ago
I am an IKEA addict :/

imho most pretty pots sold @ IKEA are for outer casing to put your IKEA potted PLASTIC plant into :(

IKEA offers some odd ceramic pots too but they're so chunky/heavy/fugly I doubt they could be designed by anyone who has grown anything before. Plus they ain't cheap, I get cheaper/nicer/finer pots elsewhere

sadly my local IKEA also sells some LIVE plants (orchids, C&S, bromeliads) which seem to get watered as often as the pallets of plastic plants nearby -ie never 8( I always look wondering whether to rescue 1 home, but considering I can get same plant in good condition for same or cheaper outside, I've never bought plants from IKEA.

Only thing worth buying at IKEA garden section is the iconic PS Vallo wateringcan :D
jy20thcent_5a
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
> imho most pretty pots sold @ IKEA are for outer casing to put your IKEA potted PLASTIC plant into

Thanks Tamiya - that explains so many of the photos used on their website.

>Only thing worth buying at IKEA garden section is the iconic PS Vallo watering can :D

Wow. Very inexpensive, but it sure is a different looking watering can. (Reminds me a bit too much of something else.)
ewwmayo
8 years ago
You can get the exact same Vallo watering can at dollar stores for even cheaper. =)

I think the lack of watering is a reasonable strategy? If they were watered regularly all the plants would become etoliated extremely quickly.
Tamiya #1 (AU, SG, MY & ZZZzzzz...)
8 years ago
Does more water make plants grow faster? Or do plants only take enough water to survive and any excess just leads to rot... :/

Vallos are great... only wateringcan that can nest, easy to store multiples of :D I have a few, they're good for laying out when it rains to collect water.
koalafornia
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The two I have experience with definitely do not have drain holes, but I use them as cache pots:

Kardemumma series: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/16451/

Skurar series: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/decoration/series/24054/

I am planning to try out one of the Skurar candle/lantern holders with holes all the way down the pot as an orchid pot, though.

I don't own these, but I looked at them at the store and they do not have drainage holes either:

Bittergurka series: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/decoration/series/30362/

Vildapel series: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/decoration/series/25835/
jy20thcent_5a
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks koalafornia. Interesting information, and interesting looking designs.

Are Ikea containers decorative outer pots or to hold potting mix?

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ewwmayo

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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Are Ikea containers decorative outer pots or to hold potting mix?

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