From our perspective, the single most critical factor in your choice of pot is breathability. Our root systems are not just for absorbing water and nutrients; they are living organs that require oxygen for respiration. A pot that traps moisture and lacks airflow suffocates our roots, creating an anaerobic environment where harmful pathogens thrive. This leads to root rot, our most common and often fatal ailment. Therefore, the material must be porous.
Terracotta or clay pots are our strong preference. Their porous nature allows air and water to pass through the walls, promoting a healthy exchange of gases and helping the growing medium dry out more evenly. This mimics the well-draining, aerated conditions we enjoy in our native habitats. While plastic pots are lightweight and retain moisture longer, they can be dangerous for us. They hold water in the soil for extended periods, significantly increasing the risk of root suffocation and rot. If you must use plastic, you must be exceptionally vigilant with your watering habits.
We do not like excessive space. Our tuber, from which we grow, prefers to be slightly pot-bound. A pot that is too large holds a greater volume of wet soil around our roots that we cannot use, staying damp for far too long and encouraging rot. The ideal pot should be just slightly larger than our tuber and root ball. A good rule is to choose a pot where there is only about an inch (2.5 cm) of space between the tuber and the edge of the pot. This confined space encourages better flowering and helps maintain the perfect moisture balance we need.
This point cannot be overstated: the pot must have drainage holes. Without an escape route, water pools at the bottom of the container, creating a stagnant, waterlogged environment that our roots cannot tolerate. Regardless of how beautiful a cachepot (a decorative pot without holes) may be, it is a death sentence for us if we are planted directly inside it. The proper technique is to plant us in a simple, appropriately sized terracotta pot with drainage holes, and then place that pot inside the decorative cachepot. Always remember to empty any excess water that collects in the outer pot after watering.
Our tuber has a specific way of growing. It is a flattened sphere that should not be buried completely. When repotting, we need a pot that is deep enough to accommodate our roots below but allows the top half to two-thirds of the tuber to sit above the soil line. Planting us too deeply invites rot at the crown of the plant. A pot with moderate depth is perfect, providing room for root development without encouraging deep burial of our sensitive tuber.
