Around the Gardens, if I can drill a drainage hole in the bottom and put soil in it, it can become a planter. "It" can be anything from cowboy boots to jello molds. I love letting the creative juices flow to make interesting planters for succulents, houseplants and flowers. Containers for vegetable and herb plants, however, have additional requirements. When it comes to plants for human consumption, I'm picky about the container. I want containers that do not leach harmful chemicals or toxins into the potting soil. Based upon my research and experience, I use the following for vegetable and herb plants: Unglazed teracotta made with natural materials, not synthetic materials such as polymer; Plastic containers made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE - 2); Plastic containers made with polypropylene (PP - 5); and Root pouches made with recycled polyethylene terephthalate and cotton fibers. Unglazed Teracotta Unglazed terracotta, hands ...