In Favor of the Cachepot
Carol Hanson, Anoka County Extension Master Gardener
When we add a new plant to our collection, often we can hardly wait to get it out of that ugly plastic grow pot. However, removing the plant from the grow pot too soon can be traumatic for the plant. It is best to get to know your plant first, which is where cachepots come in.
Cachepots are exterior decorative pots that don’t have a drainage hole. The name is based on the French word cacher, which literally means “to hide.” Historically, cachepots were used in the Victorian era to transition plants indoors when the weather got cold, providing a prettier display than the terra cotta pots they typically grew in outdoors. Today, we see them more often when we buy plants as gifts, but cachepots are more than just an attractive merchandising option.
Putting your new plant in a cachepot eliminates some of the disruptions that can negatively affect its health. Your plant will already face challenges, such as differences in sunlight and air temperatures, when it moves from the greenhouse to your home. Repotting immediately will create even more stress. A new plant typically doesn’t need a larger pot right away, so using a cachepot will help it get acclimated until it grows larger and is ready for a new pot.
Cachepots come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and materials, so you are sure to find something that enhances any new or established plant and its surroundings. When selecting a cachepot, it should be slightly larger than your grow pot. This will provide some airspace around your plant, make it easier to see how much water is in the pot, and allow you to remove the grow pot more easily. You can use rocks or gravel to raise up or stabilize the plant if needed, and if you are concerned about the grow pot being visible, you can add moss to the top of the growing area as camouflage.
When using cachepots, it’s important to water correctly. Your plants need to be watered thoroughly to help them shed any excess salts, but to prevent root rot and disease, it’s vital that water doesn’t collect at the bottom of pots. One easy method that ensures good drainage is to remove the growing pot from the cachepot and then water your plant outside or in a sink. Another option is to give your plant a good soaking while it’s in the cachepot, but then be sure to drain all excess water within an hour. As you experiment, you will find the method that works best for you.
Remove your plant from its cachepot if you take it outdoors in the summer; otherwise, your cachepot might become a water feature and you’ll find yourself with a sick plant after it rains! While it’s outside, leave your plant in the grow pot or put it inside another decorative planter with a drainage hole.
I hope this inspires you to give cachepots a try! For more tips on indoor plant care, visit: Watering houseplants | UMN Extension
Interested in becoming an Extension Master Gardener volunteer? Applications accepted now through October 1. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/master-gardener/become-master-gardener to apply.