Pot shape

I was just sat in the lounge, staring out into the garden at the pots of crocus poking through and it hit me that flowerpots are an odd shape. Why are they so narrow towards the base, when surely if it was as wide at the base as it is at the top it would benefit the roots of the plants in it?

What are the benefits (if any) to this shape?

Steve...

 

Easier removal of the plant?
Drainage?

I have two that are too top heavy (pots, that is :hehe as they are tall but I think they are like that for the aesthetic value ....

 

I reckon it is so they can be stacked when in storage.

 

They are made like that so deep thinkers such as you Steve can sit and ponder the mysteries of life..:hehe::hehe::hehe:

robert>>>>>>Im out of here>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Defo for stacking when stored. Can't see any other reason for such a daft shape, designed to fall over.

 

Got to agree with the stacking theory but also since pots were originally hand thrown they would have been easier to make with wide tops and narrow bases.

One advantage of a wider top is that it gathers more rain.
It's also an absolute b' trying to get a pot-bound small shrub out of a pot that's narrower at the top than base!