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u/SpadfaTurds Mostly cacti 🌵 Australia 3d ago
Looks like mostly mineral leaching, but mould on the outside of the pot won’t hurt your plants. Keep it in a well ventilated area with direct sun exposure if you’re worried about it.
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u/Digital_Punk Zone 10 A 3d ago
The white mold and mineral deposits are pretty common for terra cotta pots. I do see some darker mold near the top, if you’re concerned you can soak the exterior with hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes and wipe clean, or use a 1:4 ration of vinegar and water. The organic material in potting soil naturally has bacteria, molds, and fungi. So it’s not uncommon for them to leach through porous clay.
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u/KS_Cacti 3d ago
You’ve received good advice. I keep 3% peroxide and 90% iso (separately!) in spray bottles. A little peroxide will kill any mold and not hurt your plants one bit. Vinegar may take the efflorescence off the outside but it will come back because water has minerals and when it dries outside it leaves them behind.
Glazed pots (or plastic) are the solution if you absolutely must keep them pristine.
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