Do terracota pots hold more heat than plastic pots?

Answer 1

Terracotta pots hold A LOT more heat than plastic ones. For one, they are lots heavier. For another, they contain water and hydrated salts that have large specific heats. Also, they radiate quite inefficiently. Check it out for yourself, get a terracotta pot and a plastic pot of similar size and leave them out in the sun. Hours after sunset, the terracotta pot will still be quite warm to the touch while the plastic pot will be ambient temperature.

Answer 2

I think they do just by virtue of what they are made from. And terracotta pots are hot to the feel while plastic isn't. The problem with terracotta pots is that they are porous and so the moisture evaporates much quicker.

Answer 3

I think the terracotta pots hold more heat. We use them as space heaters in our camper. (invert the pot over an very low burning open flame. The pot radiates the heat really well!)

The terracotta pots are also thicker so I think that would help them hold the heat better.

Answer 4

No, Because they are made of earthen clay. As long as you place them in an area that has ambient room temperature they're fine. They will crack in excessive heat & cold however.
Plastic pots are not very good for plants. They trap heat & cold. They also are much more likely to breed bacteria which can kill plants. I suppose if you want longer lasting plants, you'd more than likely use terracotta rather than plastic for these reasons.

Answer 5

Terracota is an insulator. It will keep cooler inside when the sun is glaring on the outside and keep the inside warmer when its cold outside. Plastic has no thermal insulating properties

Answer 6

No. Terracotta pots breathe, plastic pots get hotter.

Answer 7

They dry out quicker, so I suppose they must do.