Is Growing Food in Plastic Containers Bad for You?

I think using plastic containers is fine. Plants are great filters, so I believe the benefits of growing and eating your own food outweigh the potential downsides of using plastic. Just my take!

Terracotta pots are definitely preferred, but you might be onto something with the influencers not fully grasping the plastic leaching issue. For seedlings, I like using toilet paper rolls and egg cartons. I put them in raised beds made of untreated wood, so it feels more organic and recycled. That said, my watering can is plastic, but I keep it out of the sun, so it works for me!

I’m uncertain, but with all the microplastics and PFAS issues in rainwater now, I don’t see how plastic containers make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Just my two cents!

Honestly, I get your concern. I have some plastic containers that I spray painted on the outside, and now I'm kind of nervous about using them, especially with the water in the saucers. It's really hard to know what’s safe! Does anyone have actual insights into this?

I don’t have any scientific proof, but I feel like the microplastics we might get from growing in plastic are probably less than what we consume from store-bought stuff that’s wrapped in plastic. Plus, like, a lot of our produce is grown with soil covered in black plastic, right? I think growing your own food is definitely a better option, unless your soil's really contaminated. I’ve used all sorts of plastic containers for years—buckets, barrels—and I trust my homegrown veggies a lot more than anything from the store! Repurposing what you have is key, but I'd steer clear of things like treated wood or rusty metal—those can be risky.