Round vs Square pots

I ran another poll.

I asked "What is your preferred pot shape" Round or Square.

About 500, more people viewed it than the previous poll about real plants. From the beginning the response was almost 50/50. 54% voted for round and 46% for square.

Some people where very vocal and gave reasons.

As a pot expert, I find these things very interesting. I do lots of research about my industry, on an on-going basis. I always say that we must pay attention to trends. Fashion. History.

Let me give you a little lesson in the history of pots. Pots have been manufactured and used for thousands of years. Mainly using clay. It is very cultural, meaning it plays an integral part in many people group's lives. In some cultures woman made the pots, in other, men passed the skill to their sons. Pots where needed to store things in. Food. Wine. Water. Without it, people would have no way to provide for tomorrow. Maybe a little like horses, pots where used by common people for everyday activities and now pots (and horses) are status symbols for the wealthy. I realize I am taking poetic license here, but you get my point.

Since I fell in love with pots 24 years ago, there have been only a few shifts in the market. Let me explain. Pots (garden pots) used to be made using heavy cement. This restricted the possibilities in terms of size as it was very heavy to move around. Then fiber cement became popular. This opened the door for large pots to be mass produced. A lot of teething problems had to be worked through but the demand was there and money could be made. Pots became focal points, water features, used in and outside the home. It was everywhere. The preferred shape was round.

Around 2000 we had sudden shift. People liked square and tapered. This trend was in fashion for many years. At the same time rust looking and earthy colors was in vogue.

Around 2015 we saw a shift in landscaping towards straight lines and the use of large feature plants. Design professionals wanted a cube shape pot. The idea of the pot disappearing to show off the plant was very popular. Before pots could be very ornate. Now we wanted grey and cement tones.

The global pandemic hit. It changed everything. People began to romanticize cottage core. Working from home. Growing their own food. Being healthy. Life changed. People lost their jobs. Things got tough. Tougher. Organic became a buzzword.

Landscaping responded. The lines got soft. Pots round.

I see an influx of strange shapes now. Personally I don't think it will last long.

Then I asked the question. The people spoke. 50/50 You see, we never loose the history. It influences our every day. The practical aspects of using square pots, stay with us.

From a plant perspective there is a lot more to be said. I am not going to go into that now.

I will continue to do polls because I find it fascinating. I hope that my articles educate and enlighten you.

www.ineeden.co.za