Omar Khalid
Flowers are a great way to add colour and life to your outdoor space. If you're looking to plant flowers in plastic pots, there are a few things you should know. First, make sure you have the right supplies, including potting soil, gardening gloves, a small shovel, and fertilizer. It's also important to choose the right flowers and plants that will thrive in plastic pots. Some plants, like chives, do well in plastic or glazed ceramic, while others, like rosemary, prefer terracotta pots with good drainage. When planting, don't forget to visualize where each plant will go and create a game plan so your flowers can thrive and you can enjoy a colourful display all season long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Supplies | Potting soil, gardening gloves, small shovel, fertilizer |
| Pots | Plastic pots should have drainage at the bottom. You can also use terracotta, glazed ceramic, or resin planters. |
| Flowers | Yucca, petunias, sweet potato vines, impatiens, palms, begonias, geraniums, etc. |
| Planting process | Remove flowers from containers, place containers at the bottom of the pot, add potting soil, lay out plants, use a shovel or hands to make a hole for the plant |
| Maintenance | Water regularly, ensure water runs out of the drainage holes, use a saucer or pot feet to collect excess water, deadhead flowers |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right flowers and plants
Location
Before selecting your flowers and plants, decide where you will place your plastic pots. Different locations offer varying amounts of sunlight, wind exposure, and moisture levels, which will influence the types of flowers and plants that will thrive.
Drainage
Consider the drainage requirements of the flowers and plants you choose. Some plants, like rosemary, prefer well-drained conditions and can be planted in terracotta pots, while others, like chives, tolerate dampness and are suitable for plastic or glazed ceramic pots. Most bedding plants will be content with plastic, glazed ceramic, or terracotta pots, but you may need to water more frequently with terracotta. Ensure your pots have drainage holes at the bottom, and use drip trays or saucers to catch excess water and prevent root rot.
Size
When selecting flowers and plants, consider the size of the plastic pot you will be using. Avoid overcrowding your pots, as this can stunt growth. Opt for smaller plants that will have room to grow, rather than larger ones that may become constricted.
Bloom Stage
For extended enjoyment, choose flowers that have not yet fully bloomed. Look for plants with lots of buds, which will allow you to witness their transformation and prolong the blooming period.
Colour and Texture
Create visually appealing arrangements by considering colour and texture combinations. You may choose to coordinate colours, such as pairing purple and orange, or create contrast with deep greens and purples in shady spots or light-coloured containers and plants in darker areas. Mix and match flowers and plants with different textures, such as bold and textured foliage, to add depth and interest to your plastic pot garden.
Types of Flowers and Plants
Select a mix of plants to create a stunning display. Consider "thriller" plants for height and vertical elements, such as ornamental grasses or upright flowering plants. Include "filler" plants with rounded or mounded shapes to make the container look full, such as variegated hostas or asparagus fern. Finally, add "spiller" plants that gracefully hang over the edges of the pot, like sweet potato vines or lobelia, to soften the overall look. Don't be afraid to mix annuals, perennials, vegetables, and small shrubs, but ensure they prefer similar light conditions.
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Selecting the right pot
Drainage
Ensure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Proper drainage is crucial for the health of your flowers, as it allows excess water to escape, preventing root rot. If your chosen pot doesn't have drainage holes, you can drill them yourself. Alternatively, you can raise the pot on pot feet or a saucer to allow the drained water to escape. Some plants, like rosemary, prefer excellent drainage, so consider a terracotta pot for such plants. On the other hand, plants like chives can handle some dampness and do well in plastic or glazed ceramic pots.
Size
The size of the pot matters. While you want to give your flowers room to grow, a pot that's too large can cause the soil to retain too much water, leading to root rot. Conversely, a pot that's too small can restrict the growth of your flowers. As a rule of thumb, buy flowers that haven't bloomed yet and start them in pots slightly larger than their nursery pots. This way, they'll have room to grow and thrive.
Material
Plastic pots are a good choice for their durability and affordability. They are lightweight and won't shatter like ceramic or terracotta pots might. However, they may not offer the same aesthetic appeal as other materials. If you live in a windy area, consider resin planters, as they are less likely to blow over.
Colour and Aesthetics
Consider the colour and style of the pot to enhance the beauty of your flowers. You might want your flowers to coordinate with the pot's colour or create a contrast. For instance, you could pair yellow and white flowers with purple or orange ones for a vibrant display. Additionally, think about the location of your flower pots. You might prefer a more understated style for your front porch and a bolder style for a backyard deck.
Number of Pots
Before planting, ensure you have enough pots for all your flowers. It's easy to get carried away at the nursery, so plan how many flowers you want and ensure you have the necessary pots before purchasing your flowers.
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Preparing the pot
Choose the Right Pot
Select a pot that is the right size for the flowers you wish to plant. Consider the number of flowers and whether they will have enough space to grow. You may also want to choose a pot that complements the colour of your flowers. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Proper drainage is essential for the health of your flowers, as it allows excess water to escape. If your pot does not have drainage holes, you can drill them yourself.
Prepare the Potting Soil
You will need to purchase potting soil or a potting mix. If you have used the pot before and have old soil in it, you can mix it with new soil to provide additional nutrients. To reduce the amount of soil needed, you can place plastic containers at the bottom of the pot. This will also help with drainage.
Plan Your Flower Arrangement
Before you start planting, it is helpful to plan how you want your flowers to be arranged. Consider the height, colour, and texture of each flower and how they will look together. You can lay out the flowers on top of the soil to visualise their placement. Ensure that they are not too close together, as this can stunt their growth.
Gather Your Tools
You will need gardening gloves to protect your hands from getting dirty. While not necessary, a small shovel can also be useful for speeding up the process. If you don't have a shovel, you can use your hands to plant the flowers.
Prepare the Flowers
Gently remove the flowers from their containers by squeezing the bottom plastic part and slowly pulling them out from the base. Be careful not to pull from the top, as this can damage the flowers. Once you have removed all the flowers, you are ready to start planting them into your prepared pot.
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Arranging the flowers
When arranging flowers, it is important to keep in mind the variety of colours and textures you want to include in your planter. You can choose to coordinate the colours of your flowers or mix and match them. For instance, you could pair purple and orange flowers together or opt for a combination of yellow and white flowers.
Before you begin planting, it is a good idea to visualise the arrangement of your flowers. Lay out the plants on the soil to get an idea of where they will go. Ensure that the flowers are not placed too close together. You can also choose to arrange flowers based on their growth patterns. For instance, thriller plants add height and a bold vertical element to your planter. These plants are typically placed near the centre of the container. Filler plants, on the other hand, are more rounded or mounded and serve to make the container look full. They are generally placed in front of or around the thriller plants. Spiller plants, such as sweet potato vines, are those that grow over the edges of the pot and downwards. If your container is seen from all sides, place spillers all the way around.
When mixing different types of plants, it is important to choose plants that prefer similar light conditions. For instance, you could pair a dwarf Alberta spruce with an artichoke, using variegated hostas, asparagus fern, and flowering browallia as fillers. Alternatively, a container with a boldly textured foliage of 'Brit Marie Crawford' ligularia can be paired with fillers such as 'Obsidian' heuchera, 'Fanal' astilbe, and 'Red Threads' alternathera. Spillers such as blue-flowered lobelia and silvery Japanese painted fern can set off the darker plants and pot. For a light and bright combination, Caladium can serve as the thriller, with 'Diamond Frost' euphorbia and 'Nonstop Mix' begonias as fillers.
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Watering and maintenance
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your pots have adequate drainage. Most pots should have drainage holes at the bottom, but if they don't, you can always drill one yourself. Drainage is crucial because it allows excess water to escape, preventing the plant roots from sitting in waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. To catch the excess water, you can place a saucer or drip tray underneath the pot and remember to empty it regularly. Alternatively, you can use pot feet to elevate the pot and allow the drained water to collect underneath.
When it comes to watering, the frequency will depend on the type of plant and the environmental conditions. Some plants, like geraniums and begonias, can tolerate a bit of drying out, while others might require more frequent watering. As a general rule, you want to water your flowers enough so that the water runs out of the drainage holes. This ensures that the water reaches all the plant roots and doesn't just stay at the surface. It is best to water across the entire surface of the pot rather than in one specific spot.
Daily watering is ideal, but if you can't maintain this schedule, it's crucial to check the moisture level of the soil. The soil should be moist but not soaking wet. If it feels dry, it's time to water again. Environmental factors, such as wind and temperature, will also play a role in how often you need to water. For example, hanging baskets tend to require more frequent watering, and on warm days, you may need to water even after a brief shower.
In addition to watering, deadheading is an important maintenance practice. Deadheading involves removing the faded or dead flower heads from the plant. This encourages the plant to put its energy into producing more flowers, rather than forming seeds. Fertilizer can also be used to provide additional nutrients to your flowers and promote healthy growth.
Lastly, be mindful of the location of your potted flowers. Different plants have different light requirements, so ensure that you place your flowers in an area that meets their specific needs. For example, if your flowers require full sun, place them in an area that receives ample sunlight throughout the day. By following these watering and maintenance tips, you'll be well on your way to having healthy and vibrant flowers in your plastic pots.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a bag of potting soil, gardening gloves, a small shovel, and fertilizer. You can also add plastic containers at the bottom of the pot to reduce the amount of soil needed.
You should choose flowers that prefer the same light conditions. You may also want to consider the colour of your flowers and whether they will coordinate.
First, remove the flowers from their containers by squeezing the bottom plastic part and slowly pulling them out from the base. Place the flowers into the pot and add potting soil or mix until you are a few inches from the top. Make small holes in the soil for your plants, ensuring they are not too close together.
