Biodegradable pots make so much sense when you’re starting from seeds or seedlings. Instead of moving a small, vulnerable plant into a bigger container or a spot in your garden, you can just plop the entire pot down into the soil. This means less disturbance to your new plant overall. Then the pot will break down naturally for a simple and sustainable way to garden. 

You have quite a few options when it comes to biodegradable pots, including grow bags, a bamboo option, and even making your own. This is an excellent way to move from more conventional plastic pots to a much more eco-friendly option.

Here are some of the best biodegradable pots on the market today.

These pots are made from 100% renewable, compostable cow manure. This makes them good for the plants in your garden since they naturally add organic matter to the soil, making them our top overall choice. Research and studies have shown time and time again that using a cow manure pot can actually help your plants grow bigger and faster.

Best Overall

CowPots Pack

Material: Cow manure | Pot dimensions: Varies

By starting your seedlings directly in the pots and then plating them in the ground when they’re bigger, you’re giving the plants an edge. It’s a great way to upcycle and create something green out of a so-called waste. These pots are made in the United States and are worth investing in for all your seed-starting needs.

Price at time of publish: $8

Peat pots are one of the most popular biodegradable options for seed starting. They are made from paper and peat moss, which will break down over time. Since many plants don’t like it when their roots are disturbed, this is the perfect way to go from an indoor or controlled environment to their next home in the garden.

Best Budget

Leboo Peat Pots

Material: Paper and peat moss | Pot dimensions: 3.15 x 3.15 x 3 inches

Peat pots are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. This one is a great investment because you’ll get 100 3-inch pots.

These coir pots are natural and biodegradable, made from coconut fibers. They make a good seedling environment for root development, aeration, and drainage.

Best Large

Grow Organiks Coir Pot

Material: Coconut fibers | Pot dimensions: Varies

It can be harder to find larger biodegradable pots, but this brand offers both 8-inch and 10-inch options. So if you’re looking for a good starter for a larger plant or one you want to transplant directly into a container (just drop it in), these will be perfect. They are lightweight, easy to use, and have a great, natural look to them.

Price at time of publish: $31

If you’re starting seeds in bulk, then your best bet is biodegradable pots that are designed as trays. This kit comes with 300 individual cells in roughly 1-inch planting squares. You’ll also get some bonus plant markers with this one as well.

Best Small

Cosweet Square Peat Pots

Material: Recycled pulp | Pot dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.2 inches

Made from recycled pulp and featuring drainage holes, they are pretty much ready to go when you get them out of the box. However, they may work less well if you’re in a particularly humid climate, as some users encountered mold issues with these. When it’s time to plant, just cut apart the squares and plant them into the ground or another pot.

Bamboo biodegradable pots are a little different from the others on this list. Instead of being a pot that breaks down pretty quickly along with your seedlings, they are actually meant to last for many years.

Best Bamboo

Black Duck Multicolored Round Swirl Biodegradable Bamboo Fiber Planters

Material: Bamboo | Pot dimensions: 6.75 inches wide x 5 inches tall

When you do reach the end of this pot’s life, you can toss it in the compost bin for it to break down naturally. These pots are free from petroleum-based plastics and BPA, so they are a good switch from a lot of traditional plastic pots. It’s nice to have more sustainable options like these.

Price at time of publish: $16

This handy dandy little maker is the most cost-effective option on the list because you’ll be able to make hundreds or even thousands of pots. All you need is newspaper, recycled paper, or paper grocery bags, and then you use the mold to create your pot. You’ll have the least waste possible and will save a lot of money in the long run.

Best DIY Mold

Sow We Grow Paper Pot Maker

Material: Recycled paper | Pot dimensions: Makes 1.75 inch seedling pots

It’s a great gift for the gardener in your life with the cute little tube holder and wooden plant markers. It’s also a perfect tool for kids to use as they help you out in the garden. This one is likely to become a staple in your seed-starting routine year after year.

It’s the perfect seed starter kit to buy as a gift or for yourself. Everything you need is in the box, including seeds, pots, and markers. Place these on a windowsill or another sunny spot until they have a good start, and then plant them directly in their next pot.

Best Kit

Uncommon Goods Patio Garden Seed Starter Set

Material: Organic materials | Pot dimensions: Varies

This kit contains veggies, but you can find several other biodegradable options on Uncommon Goods as well. For instance, the fruit or salad greens seed trios are also popular.

What to Look For in Biodegradable Plant Pots

Materials

Just from the pots on this list, you can see there are a lot of biodegradable options ranging from cow manure to coconut fiber. When you come across biodegradable pots, look at the materials they are made from to ensure good drainage for your plants and seedlings. 

CowPots is a genius way to reuse something that most people don’t see as valuable. Plus, the nutrients will make your plants look amazing! Then for those who want to have the very smallest carbon footprint, the Wooden Paper Pot Maker is the way to go because you’ll be able to make as many biodegradable pots as you want for many years to come.

Size

Many seed-starting pots are small because you’re likely going to be moving them to a more permanent location relatively quickly (usually within weeks). However, if you’re going to keep them going as potted plants for a while before you move them, look for larger pots to give the roots lots of room to grow and expand. 

Special Features

Look for other details from the plant makers, specifically about how the pots are made or any eco-friendly methods they use. You may also want pots with drainage holes.

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  • How do biodegradable pots work?
  • You plant the pot directly into the ground, seedling and all. Then depending on what the pot is made of, it will break down over time. Don’t worry about your new seedling’s roots being cramped because the biodegradable features of the pot will allow them to grow through as needed.
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable pots?
  • The big advantage is that you’re reducing your plastic use right away. It’s an easy way to go more green with your gardening. They can also increase your transplanting success rate, because your seedlings will get less stressed when you move them into the garden.A disadvantage might mean you’re buying more biodegradable pots over time, because once you plant them in the ground, you can’t use them again. But if you purchase biodegradable pots that give back with nutrients in some way, you’re just adding to the benefits.
  • How do biodegradable pots help the environment?
  • Right away, they’re reducing our reliance on so much plastic. Gardening tends to have a lot of plastic pots, so it really helps to move to more biodegradable, planet-friendly options.Some of the pots on this list make use of materials that might otherwise go to landfill, like paper pulp.
  • How long will it take for biodegradable pots to break down?
  • It really depends on the material, and often, you can find that information on the label of the pot. CowPots, for instance, will break down more quickly once they’re in the soil. Coir pots will last a bit longer but usually only make it through one season.

You plant the pot directly into the ground, seedling and all. Then depending on what the pot is made of, it will break down over time. Don’t worry about your new seedling’s roots being cramped because the biodegradable features of the pot will allow them to grow through as needed. 

The big advantage is that you’re reducing your plastic use right away. It’s an easy way to go more green with your gardening. They can also increase your transplanting success rate, because your seedlings will get less stressed when you move them into the garden.

Right away, they’re reducing our reliance on so much plastic. Gardening tends to have a lot of plastic pots, so it really helps to move to more biodegradable, planet-friendly options.

It really depends on the material, and often, you can find that information on the label of the pot. CowPots, for instance, will break down more quickly once they’re in the soil. Coir pots will last a bit longer but usually only make it through one season. 

The author, Stacy Tornio, has been making her own seed-starting pots out of recycled paper for years, along with the help of her two kids. She is also an expert garden writer and Master Gardener.