A cachepot (, ) is a
French term for what is usually called in modern English a "planter" or for older examples a
jardiniere, namely a decorative container or "overpot" for a
plant
Plants are the eukaryotes that form the Kingdom (biology), kingdom Plantae; they are predominantly Photosynthesis, photosynthetic. This means that they obtain their energy from sunlight, using chloroplasts derived from endosymbiosis with c ...
and its
flowerpot
A flowerpot, planter, planterette or plant pot is a container in which flowers and other plants are cultivated and displayed. Historically, and still to a significant extent today, they are made from plain terracotta with no ceramic glaze, wit ...
, for indoors use, usually with no drainage hole at the bottom, or sometimes with a matching saucer. It is intended to be more attractive than the
terracotta
Terracotta, also known as terra cotta or terra-cotta (; ; ), is a clay-based non-vitreous ceramic OED, "Terracotta""Terracotta" MFA Boston, "Cameo" database fired at relatively low temperatures. It is therefore a term used for earthenware obj ...
(or today, plastic) flowerpot in which the plant grows, and to keep water off furniture surfaces.
Another French term is ''
jardinière''; the distinction is it is usually larger, and may sit on the floor, either indoors or outdoors. They are often rectangular, where a cachepot is typically round. A cachepot is meant to be displayed on a tabletop, mantel, or shelf indoors.
In modern English the term is usually found in descriptions of
pottery
Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
examples.
Origin
The word ''cachepot'' is
French from the French verb ', meaning "to hide". Cachepots are vase-like containers to aesthetically hide a growing pot holding the plant itself
[Cachepot articl]
/ref> to provide greenery indoors.
Design
A cachepot is typically made of glass, ceramic, iron, tin or other impervious material, and is chosen based on its appearance. Cachepots can also be made of raw semi-porous materials such as clay or cement; the resultant "unfinished" look is well-suited for rustic, industrial, and other non-traditional interior decorating schemes. In such cases, it is not uncommon for the pot's surface to be stained or otherwise weatherized to give a more vintage appearance. Critically, however, the pot has no hole at its base for discharging excess water. This protects the underlying surface from developing damage or staining due to exposure to excess water, soil, and drips from the potplant.
However, such a design presents a risk for the plant, whose roots can rot if left immersed in water. This means the cachepot should be drained after watering ''in situ'' or the potplant watered separately then replaced after being left to drain.
Association with Clintons
Cachepots have been given as gifts from the former United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
president Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton (né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician and lawyer who was the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, ...
to foreign visitors.
See also
* Index of gardening articles
This is an alphabetical index of articles related to gardening.
A
Aeroponics -
African Violet Society of America -
Akadama -
Alkali soil -
Allotment (gardening), Allotment -
Alpine garden -
Alpine plant -
''Amateur Gardening (magazine), Amateur ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
History of the Planter Box
Garden vases
Pottery shapes
Gardening aids