If you don’t have a big garden or a lot of yard space, pots are the perfect way to grow your favorite flowers and herbs. Learn how to choose the right container, proper water drainage and keep your plants happy.
Terra-cotta, ceramic, wood, and plastic pots all work well. The type of material your pot is made of will affect how quickly the soil dries out.
Choose the Right Container
When you grow plants in pots, you need to select the right container. That means choosing a pot that’s the right size, style and material.
Choosing the right container for growing your plants will make it easier to care for them and ensure their long-term health. There are a few things you should keep in mind, including the type of pot and how well it drains.
Plants will thrive in containers that have a good drainage system. This will help prevent root rot and keep the soil moist.
The volume of the soil will also impact how often you need to water the plants. Larger containers hold more soil, which means they require less frequent watering than smaller ones.
Proper Water Drainage
Regardless of whether you have potted plants indoors or outdoors, it is imperative that you do your best to properly drain water from the pots. This is because excess water that cannot escape the pots can cause many problems, including root rot.
Fortunately, proper water drainage isn’t very difficult to achieve. It just requires the right amount of drainage holes and quality potting soil.
You can also make the pots a little more water-friendly by adding some gravel or sand to the bottom. This will help water to flow out of the pot and onto the ground, which is beneficial for most plants.
There is a lot of debate in the garden community over whether it is important to add gravel or rocks to the base of a plant pot for drainage purposes. However, experts from several university agriculture extension agencies have stated that this is not the best solution for a plant pot and will actually hinder water movement and lead to root rot.
Keep the Soil Moisturized
When growing plants in pots, it is important to keep the soil moist. This is essential for the healthy growth of your plant and to prevent root rot.
One way to do this is to soak the pot with water twice a day during summer and once a day during winter. Make sure to water the soil down to a depth of about 2 inches.
Another way to keep the soil moisturized is to use a container that has drainage holes. These will help to drain excess water and stop the soil from compacting.
Soil can dry out very quickly if not watered properly. This can lead to mold and fungus formation which can harm your plant’s roots, stems and leaves.
Keep the Plants Clean
When planting a new plant, make sure that it is placed in a pot that is clean and dry. The plants will be much happier and healthier if the containers are clean of dirt, fungus, and other debris that can impede growth and cause disease.
When it comes to watering, don’t water the plants directly; instead, use a spray bottle or other tool that is large enough to reach the bottom of the pot. This will help the water soak into the soil, minimizing evaporation and keeping the soil moist.
Keep in mind that hot weather accelerates evaporation, so water during the day. If the plant leaves look wilted, they are probably trying to protect themselves from drying out too quickly.
Sterilize your pots before reusing them by submerging the container in a solution of household bleach and water (a ratio of 1 part bleach to nine parts water works well). Or, try vinegar for an eco-friendly option.