When transplanting plants it helps to have a great container that allows the seedlings to flourish. I’ve found over the years that coir pots are a great option. I used to use them as part of my farmer’s market plant sale business. Today I use them in my garden every year as I transplant tomato, pepper, and all sorts of other plants.
What are Coir Pots?
Coir pots are a waste product made from coconuts. The are formed into pots of various shapes and sizes. The coir pots I use the most are 3″ round pots and 4″ square pots. Both are easy and convenient to use. I begin my seeds in plastic cup greenhouses then separate the young seedlings into coir pots when they begin to develop their first sets of real leaves.
The seedlings grow through the potting mix and into the coir pots. When planting time arrives I can plant the entire pot in the soil. The pots don’t prevent the roots from emerging into the soil and it makes for a fast and easy process to plant the plants into the garden.
Why I Like Coir Pots
Check out this video to see more about why I like the coir pots. I go through some of the cons as well as the pros so you can get a realistic perspective on why these could be good for your garden. Also below the video is a list of pros and cons so you can compare them. I don’t know about you but sometimes I’d rather just read a post than watch a whole video!
Table of the Pros and Cons of Coir Pots:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hold soil well and allow roots to dry out as needed | Roots can grow into other pots if they are too close together |
| Prevent waterlogging, avoiding overwatering issues | Pots may tip over if there is space between them in trays |
| Bottom watering is easy and efficient | 6-pack coir pots need to be cut apart, which is less convenient |
| Good for root development, allowing roots to penetrate through the pot | Roots might become intertwined with neighboring pots |
| Biodegradable and environmentally friendly | May not keep roots entirely contained |
| Made from coconut waste, a sustainable alternative to peat pots | Can break down after about 2 years in the garden |
| Convenient for transplanting plants without disturbing the roots | May leave behind small remnants in the garden after decomposing |
| Easy to upsize plants to larger containers | |
| Useful for transitioning plants from seedling stage to garden | |
| Lightweight and reusable for many years |
This table summarizes the main benefits and potential drawbacks of using coir pots as discussed.
Where To Get Coir Pots
If you are interested in purchasing some you can find them at Greenhouse Megastore. Here are some affiliate links to the one’s I generally use:
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