Clay Pot Vs Ceramic Pot

Terra cotta ceramic concrete and other moisture absorbing materials are prone to cracking when the temperature dips.

Clay pot vs ceramic pot.

Clay can be thought of in terms of geological raw material which is the foundation product for the firing in the kiln which produces terra cotta and ceramics. That s because clay makes a great environment for plants that prefer moderate to dry soil as the porous makeup of clay allows moisture to move in and out of soil through the walls of the planter. Clay pots have been used for centuries to house plants. Ceramic pots that are often curved in shape at the top make it difficult to repot or change the potting mix.

However ceramic pots are typically glazed with a coat of lacquer that prevents the soil from drying out at the same speed as it would in an unglazed clay or terracotta planter. The debate regarding plastic versus ceramic pots is long standing. The versatility availability economical and reusable nature of clay pots appeal to those with tree hugging sentiments and somewhat tight with a dollar. Newer higher grade plastic pots rival clay in terms of variety durability and appearance.

For one clay is a heavy material with very little. The later is mostly made from ceramic clay a composition of stoneware porcelain or terracotta. Terracotta is widely available there are a large variety of shapes and sizes to choose from and the basic unglazed clay pots are not expensive. Some gardeners love plastic pots others will only use ceramic or clay.

Once heated fired to between 660 and 1470 f 350 and 800 c the clay is converted to ceramic and will never dissolve again. Glazed ceramic pots tend to be heavy and are waterproof so hold moisture better. That should give us a clue. Small delicate pots are often favored by connoisseurs for precise pours and good balance but can look dainty and fragile to the uninitiated.

For example clay has chemically bonded water in it which will cause it to slake down disintegrate when a dried clay object is put in water. Advertisement this happens when water absorbed into the pot turns to ice. All clay is a ceramic material but there are other ceramic materials as well. But for some people like bonnie who s a clay pot girl their view is different.

They are also coated with chemical glazes and enamels. Though they are easier to maintain than cast iron ceramic pots can chip or break more easily. The commercially popular clay pot cooking sets are nowhere close to this one. The word terra cotta itself means baked earth in italian.

Clay is the natural raw natural material actually used in making terra cotta and ceramic pots. These go through a mechanized manufacturing process which necessarily uses chemicals. At a glance you may think a ceramic pot is simply a terracotta pot with a good paint job.