Do some plants like small pots, and some big pots?
Short answer: NO!
No plant likes being root-bound, or being in "cramped quarters", or any other euphemistic way of saying "running out of space" — it's a persistent myth.
Some plants will react to being root-bound with a stress response that looks positive -- hoyas are more likely to flower, spiders are more likely to produce offsets, Monsteras can often show more vigorous shoot growth. This is why people say that these plants "like" to be root bound -- they're seeing the plants respond in a way that looks positive.
But it isn't actually positive — those things are positive if they aren't prompted by being root-bound, but when they are, they're either:
- trying to reproduce and hope their offspring have better luck
or
- trying to find more places to send out aerial roots because they're running out!
It'll be one of those two things, pretty much every time!
Plus, stressed plants are far more vulnerable to pretty much everything — they'll be hurt more by watering problems, by pests, by temperature fluctuations, by low humidity, and so on.
So make sure your plants have room to stretch their legs!
As far as "too big"... If a greenhouse is growing what will eventually be a 10" pot of Fiddle-Leaf Fig... They're sticking the cutting/s into a 10" pot of dirt.
Studies actually consistently show that bigger pots lead to increased growth, both above and (obviously) below the surface.
The reason for the "only go up 1-2 inches" 'rule' that is so prevalent online is that the extra dirt, particularly when not amended to make it drain well, can hold a lot of extra moisture -- and that can contribute to root rot.
To avoid this... make sure it's well-draining soil, and that you're watering based on the plant (and not the calendar), and you can stick a cutting directly into a 10" pot and be fine. The 1-2" rule is one of those things where like... it's great for those new to plants, but when you're getting the hang of them it isn't as important!
Ultimately, what's most important is that the pot is big enough for the plant and -- honestly even more important, as far as I'm concerned -- the pot and plant look good together. If you don't like the pot/plant combo? Change it. You have these plants because you want to enjoy them, and that's primarily visual... if you hate the way it looks, you won't enjoy it as much.
