3" clay pots- What are they good for?

My kids have been given little science growing kits over the years and we have acquired about 15 of these little 3" clay pots. They are a pain to start seeds in since you have to dig them out with a spoon or stick.

Anyone have any good ideas of things to grow in these that wouldn't need to be transplanted or something else to do with them?

Usually I see them used for little succulent plants. It's hard to keep the potting mix moist in these clay pots.

May Lotito wrote:Usually I see them used for little succulent plants. It's hard to keep the potting mix moist in these clay pots.

I have a bunch of baby succulents and they grow so slowly. These would look nice in the clay pots. Thanks!

You're right- they really do dry out so fast. A nice big clay pot is really useful for certain plants but these little ones seem like they are just for decoration.

Glue them together and make ollas.

I have had a slew of small clay pots and have found similar frustration with them.

Succulents or cactus are a great choice. I usually use them for a starter pot if I get a bunch of little succulents to get some size on them before I put them in their home.

In that same vein, it is a great way to give cuttings of houseplants to friends! Just requires a little cleanup if they look anything like how I store my empty pots. (Cobwebs, dirt on the outside, crud)

If you have a larger pot, you could flip one of these upside down and place it at the bottom of the pot - if you do that over a drain hole, it might help with drainage since it won't get plugged and adds a bit of aeration there.

Or you could smash them and mix them into soil, for extra water holding capabilities.

I haven't tried this but what if you put a square of cheese cloth in before your potting mix and then you could pull the juvenile plant out by the corners when it's time to plant it out?

Logan Byrd wrote:If you have a larger pot, you could flip one of these upside down and place it at the bottom of the pot -

Logan beat me to it! Inverted, these are good fill in giant pots to reduce weight and encourage good bottom drainage.