Ceramic Vs Terracotta Pots

The debate regarding plastic versus ceramic pots is long standing.

Ceramic vs terracotta pots. Archaeologists and art historians refer to clay objects such as sculptures or tiles made without a potter s wheel as terra cotta. Clay is the natural raw natural material actually used in making terra cotta and ceramic pots. The porosity of clay allows air and moisture to penetrate the sides of the pot. Clay pots provide a healthy environment for most plants.

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. Clay is created by the by the chemical weathering and geothermal alteration of igneous rocks into hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates. The word terra cotta itself means baked earth in italian. The rusty brown color of clay is harmonious with every flower and foliage color.

Most often the precursor rock is a type of granite. At a glance you may think a ceramic pot is simply a terracotta pot with a good paint job. That should give us a clue. Objects made on the potter s wheel are called.

Terra cotta is an italian term that means baked earth terra cotta refers to a glazed or unglazed piece of ceramic made using organic clay fired in a potter s kiln. 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. Some gardeners love plastic pots others will only use ceramic or clay.