The first thing you should learn when getting a new plant is what kind of growing conditions it likes. Ask your nurseryman or research the internet for this information. There are many wonderful plants available, many are being sold in climates that they can not tolerate unless you have them in containers and can control that climate.
A purchased plant in a container can be turned upside down and tapped on the bottom to release it from the pot. Do not pull the plant by the stem as you could do serious damage to the plant, push the roots from the bottom. Sometime you will have to cut the purchased pot off the plant. Loosen the roots and cut off any long or spiraled roots. If they have grown tightly cut slices into the sides to loosen the root ball. Fill your new container with enough potting medium in the bottom so the plant will almost reach the height in the soil where it was in the purchased container. Sit the new plant in the pot leaving an inch space around the root ball and the inside of the pot. Fill with moist potting medium and gently push it down into the pot around the plant to rid any air pockets. Water well so the medium will fill in around the roots.
When you have a container that has no drainage hole it can be planted in a different way. Put some horticulture charcoal (not what you cook out with) in the bottom of the pot ( about 1 tenth the hight of the pot) then a layer of about the same amount of gravel or small rocks. The plant can put in the pot in the usual method with your potting soil. When watering be sparing, occassionally drain the pot. The easiest way to drain a pot with a plant in it is wrap newspaper or fabric around the base of the plant so the pot can be turned on its side where any excess water can drain out and the soil will not fall out. When you feel it has drained and there is no more water collected in the bottom of the pot to spoil the roots stand the pot upright and do not water for a short time and allow the roots to breathe. If you smell foul water when draining the pot let it dry out as long as you can depending on the reccommended growing conditions of the particular species of plant.
