Choosing the right pot for your plant is one of the most important considerations an indoor gardener must make.

When you buy a plant from the store, it already comes in container, this makes it feel as though the pot was chosen for you. But, you need to decide whether or not your plant will thrive and grow in that pot. You also need to think about the situation, when it comes time to transfer the plant into another pot. Your decision is influenced by whatever container you choose from the beginning.

Aside from issues like color and material, the size of a pot is the most important thing to think about. Size plays an important role, but is also a chief concern when repotting a plant.

A lot of houseplants require repotting at least once a year. This of course will depend upon its size, species and amount of sunlight and many other factors.

A large pot, for example encourages free root growth, and usually provides substantial soil nutrients for them to draw on. Thus, starting with a larger pot will allow the plant to grow faster, leading to quicker repotting. But it can lead to excess water retention, so don't go overboard.

With a smaller pot, it provides less soil to supply nutrients, but can lead to higher concentration levels. There is less growing room with a smaller pot, because it restrains the roots and the plant will grow more slowly. These two things often offset each other, leading time to repot about the same. It is important to remember not to allow the plant to become root bound, this can lead to damage.

When transferring a plant to another pot is necessary, the size of the pot will need to be an inch or to large in diameter for the plant to remain healthy.

How you deal with water draining is another very important consideration. Professional sources estimate that as many as 90% of houseplants are given excessive water. This can oftentimes lead to premature death of a plant. Diseases are another likely condition that can be the result over excessive watering. Most harmful organisms like mold and fungi, need warmth and moisture to thrive and multiply.

Herbs can also be easy to over water. They evolved in poor growing conditions, and had extreme sun exposure. Herbs flourish and thrive in an environment that would stress and possibly kill most other kinds of plants. Bonsai plants, enjoy a moist potting soil or hyponex potting soil, but still need plenty of draining room to ensure that they do not sit in water for extended periods of time.

A pot with plenty of holes in the bottom, is ideal. Keep the holes to a medium size in order to prevent dirt from spilling out or you could even cover the holes with mesh. Holes should not be to large or to small, since they may become plugged up. To test the size, place a pan of water under the plant and fill it about one third full of water. Repeat this exercise until water is no longer absorbed into the soil above it.