Helping Nurseries Keep Plants Cooler

Nurseries often use black pots and containers to grow plants. While black objects absorb the heat, the hotter temperatures are not always the best for plants. The temperatures can slow or stop plant growth, damage or kill roots, increase the incidence of plant death, shrink the number of marketable plants, and increase fertilizer release rates. 

ARS scientists at the Application Technology Research Unit in Wooster, OH, and the U.S. National Arboretum’s Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit worksite in McMinnville, TN, found that white pots reduced base layer temperatures by 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit, increased crop health and growth up to 130%, and retained 35% more fertilizer. This research has increased the adoption of white containers throughout the nursery industry. One nursery found that switching to white containers saved 40% on container costs and reduced production time by 30%, equating to an estimated cost savings of up to $7,300 per acre per year.