Square pot 7 liter with holes 20x20x25cm

A square growing pot of 7 litres with a perforated wall, 20 by 20 by 25 centimetres. The same dimensions as the solid 7 litre in this range, with holes in the sides added.

What the holes do

Three things, and all three are real.

They bring air to the edge of the root ball. In a solid pot oxygen only arrives from above. Here it comes in from the side as well, which is exactly where the substrate compacts most.

They let water away faster. Surplus water does not have to travel the full height to the base holes; some leaves on the way. In a substrate that silts up quickly that makes a visible difference.

They dry the pot back faster. Usually an advantage, sometimes not, see below.

What they do not do

Being honest here matters more than selling. A perforated plastic wall is not an air-pruning pot.

In a fabric pot, or one with perforated cones, the whole wall passes air, so every root tip reaching the edge meets air and stops. In a pot with holes the wall is mostly solid. Roots arriving between two holes turn and start circling after all, and roots that happen to find a hole sometimes grow out through it.

That last point is the practical caveat. On a plant standing in it for a long time, freeing it at repotting can cost you roots. On a short crop you will never notice.

The honest summary: this is a solid pot with better aeration and drainage, not a cheap fabric pot. If you want the real air-pruning effect, the fabric pots and the coned rooting pots are built for it.

Watering and substrate

Expect to water more often than the solid version, because evaporation happens through the side too. Do not use a very fine substrate: fine coco pith or seed compost can wash out through the holes on the first waterings. A mix with some perlite or coarser coco stays where it belongs.

Technical Specifications:

• Volume: 7 litres
• Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 25 cm
• Wall: perforated
• Material: plastic, black
• Base: perforated for drainage
• Matching saucers: 17.4 x 17.4 x 4 cm or 20 x 20 x 3 cm

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as an air-pruning pot? No. The wall is mostly solid, so you get better aeration but not the air-pruning effect of fabric or a coned pot.

Does substrate fall out of the holes? With normal potting soil or coco, not to any degree. With very fine material, yes, on the first few waterings.

Will roots grow out of it? They can, over a long stay. Repot in good time and it is not a problem.

Can I add a saucer here? Yes, above, the same two sizes as the solid version.