Instructions

Growing plants in containers really is easy as. You don’t have to have a big backyard, you can easily move them around to expose them to better conditions and you don’t have to tolerate difficult soil that prevents you from growing certain plants. What’s more it’s a great chance to show off your creative flair as you can create whatever you want whether it is a single plant, a colourful centre piece, or textured arrangement of pots.

You will need to think about a few simple components though to ensure your plant survives. Container plants are much more dependent on you than plants in the ground but with a little care they’ll not only survive but thrive too.

Containers

One of the most important things to consider is the container you will use. Containers come in all shapes, sizes and materials. This is great because you can get creative mixing and matching containers to get your desired look. It’s also a chance to recycle old tubs, boxes and buckets!

To get the best from your plants think about the following when selecting containers:

• The container needs to be the right size for the plants that are being grown – large plants need large containers. Small containers will restrict the roots, hindering growth and causing the plants to dry out faster.  Larger containers tend to be a little easier to look after as they are less prone to drying out.
• The shape of the container needs be considered as a narrow base will be prone to toppling over if it isn’t supported well. Also, containers that are smaller at the top than the bottom, or even the middle, make it virtually impossible to save the plant inside when re-potting as the roots will fill out wider than the opening.
• Containers need to allow water to drain to ensure the plant’s roots won’t be sitting in water, which can cause the plant to drown or begin to rot. If your container doesn’t have holes then your plants won’t survive, so you will need to create some holes yourself. Placing rocks or broken terracotta in the bottom of container is also a good idea to aid drainage.
• The material the container is made of will impact the plant as all materials handle water and heat differently. Containers made from materials such as terracotta and wood absorb water easily so will dry out the potting mix quicker, which means you’ll need to water the plant more frequently. Containers made from materials such as plastic, foam and glazed clay, don’t absorb water so don’t take water from the potting mix therefore keeping it moist for longer.  The material of the container also affects the temperature of the plant. For example, plastic absorbs heat easily which means the plant can heat up very quickly in strong sunlight whereas materials such as glazed clay don’t absorb the heat so better protect the plant from intense heat. Containers that are darker in colour will also absorb more heat.

Potting Mix

Now you’ve chosen your container you need to fill it with potting mix. The key to success is the choice of potting mix. A quality potting or outdoor container mix is recommended as it will contain long term fertilisers and wetting agents that will give your plants a better environment to grow in.  Be sure to look for these ingredients when purchasing your mix.

Using garden soil or compost isn’t recommended as compost generates heat as it breaks down which can burn the plant’s roots. Garden soil will compact, starving the plant of oxygen and fertiliser. Garden soil also increases the risk of insect infestations and soil borne diseases and fungi which will harm the plant.

Watering

How you care for your plant is also crucial to their success. Regular water is essential. Plants grown in containers tend to dry out more than plants in the garden. This is because as the plant grows and the root ball becomes denser it makes it harder for water to penetrate.
Watering plants daily in summer is recommended. Early morning or at dusk is best as the harsh sun during the day can magnify through water drops and burn the plants leaving brown burnt patches on leaves.

Light summer showers won’t be enough to thoroughly water plants in containers so they’ll still need watering even after rain. In winter, depending upon the weather, patio pots may still need watering once a week. The best way to check for moisture is to push your finger down the side of the pot into the mix. If it feels dry, then the plant needs watering.

Fertiliser

On top of regular watering, feeding with fertiliser will also help your container plants to thrive. Fertiliser is needed to ensure regular flowering and to maintain strength and health because regular watering washes out the nutrients in potting mix. Follow the instructions on the packet of the fertiliser to determine how often fertiliser will need to be applied and to ensure safe use.

Re-potting

Some plants may need to be re-potted every year because the roots will become tightly meshed which slows growth. To re-pot a plant, gently run a knife around the outside of the root ball to loosen it. Once the plant is removed gently break up the roots to simulate new growth. Then re-pot the plant ensuring that the potting mix is at the same level as in the previous pot. Use new potting mix rather than the previously used mix because it will be full of nutrients and materials that fulfill the plant’s needs. The old mix will be depleted of nutrients so will hinder the plant’s performance.

Once you have re-potted a plant make sure you treat it with extra care as re-potting, although necessary, weakens the plant so they need time to recuperate. Don’t expose it to direct sunlight and don’t apply fertiliser for a few months as the fertiliser could burn the roots.

Trees, shrubs, succulents and alpines don’t need to be re-potted every year.  To tell if your plant needs re-potting look to see if the roots are visible at the surface or are coming through the drainage holes. Also, if growth seems to have slowed the plant most likely needs re-potting.

Plants

Although almost all plants can be grown in pots the care the plant needs will vary depending on the type of plant. When selecting a plant, one of the key things to think about is where the pot will be situated. Consider if it will be in the full sun, shade, exposed to prevailing winds or in a conservatory? Choose a plant that suits the environment you have.

Different plants need different things. Find out below some of the characteristics and requirements of plants.

Shrubs

These are best planted on their own in one large pot as a feature or as a centrepiece, planting potted colour around the base. The potted colour can be changed with the seasons. Evergreen or deciduous shrubs are suitable. Just make sure the pot you are using is big enough for the plant.

Perennials

There are many flowering perennials that are great for pots and hanging baskets. Perennials can be planted on their own or in a mixed planting. Consider not only flowers when thinking of perennials, but the many attractive large leafed perennials, such as hostas, which do well when grown in containers.

Annuals

For instant effect and a colourful display all season, flowering annuals are the easiest way to create colourful pots and hanging baskets for sun and shade. Remember slugs and snails love plants wherever they are so protect them with snail bait.

Flowering bulbs

Spring and summer flowering bulbs are great in pots. Bulbs enjoy a well-drained soil and so potting mix suits their needs well. Consider spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, freesias, hyacinths, grape hyacinths and croscus, or summer flowering bulbs like begonias (the pendulous ones are great in baskets), dwarf canna lilies, calla lilies, dahlias and lilies. Once foliage has died down, plant spring flowering bulbs into the garden or remove them from the pot, knock off the potting mix and store over winter in a cool dry place.

Succulents

Drought tolerant plants have become very popular as they need so little maintenance. They can stay in the same pot for several years as they do not require regular feeding. When planting succulents, mix in some fine gravel with the potting mix as this will add more drainage properties for these dry loving plants.