The classic, beloved Terra Cotta pots we’ve all come to love over the years. Clay rich in iron is baked to form the pots, the iron content is what produces the orange/red color.  Terracotta means “cooked earth” in Italian which is very fitting. Terracotta pottery dates back thousands of years BC.  The clay is thick and malleable and perfect for both sculpture and pots, even roof tiles and bricks.  It also is one of the least expensive of clays. 
 

Terracotta pots are good for plants requiring well drained soil (succulents, cacti, philodendron, snake plants).  Since the clay is porous it will absorb water from the soil unlike glazed ceramic pots that hold moisture in the dirt.  Thirstier plants will require more frequent watering when planted in a terracotta pot.
 

A good practice is in fall empty all terracotta pots of plants that will not survive during the winter.  Store your pots in the garage making sure they are not exposed to water.    Re-plant them next spring and enjoy the timeless look terracotta brings to your home and garden.