Hostas In Pots

I'm forever in dispute with my dad over the size of pots to grow plants in. He thinks all plants should be root-bound in small pots. I think that some should but most should have room to grow.

Is there a list of plants that prefer small pots? Queens tears etc

Do hostas prefer large or small pots?

 

my view is to give as much space as possible, if the right condition of terrain/drainage are met. But that is probably the tricky part. Bonsai are that small also because the roots are kept confined.

 

As a general rule, they should have a few inches spare soil around the sides for the roots to grow. When using much larger pots I've found the roots grow more at the expense of the plant itself. Having said that, I am not a fan of small pots, so I do grow plants in larger pots but remove every couple of years, give them a good root prune then put them back in their pots with fresh compost.

Not grown Hostas in pots yet, but planning to do so this year, but I'll be planting several per pot in the larger pots.

One of the problems with allowing them to get root bound is that when it rains persistently the water sits on top of the pot. I've just lost a Lilac that way as we've had a really wet winter and the water couldn't drain because it was root bound. I should have root pruned it last year but never got round to it (and roots on Lilacs grow really quickly).

 

Ive got a few hostas in pots that must be pot bound now as they havent been potted on for 8 years or so.They seem happy,lots of foliage and flowers and dont need watered alot.

They only plants I keep in tight pots are palms and cycads. I dont want to keep potting them on as they will get just too heavy and they are growing fine rightnow anyway.