Struggling to make your planters look full and beautiful all year long? The struggle is especially real during the peak heat of summer when even the hardiest plants often wilt, brown and struggle to withstand the heat. We’ve got you covered with these fail-proof tips for beautiful planters all year long.
5 Fail-proof Tips for Beautiful Planters
#1. Find the Right Pot
The right planter can make all the difference to the health and beauty of your plants. After all, a pot is the home your plants reside in. There are several key things to consider when picking out the right planter – size, material, and functionality.
- Planter Size
First and foremost, planter size is an important thing to consider. If you pick a planter that is too small, it’ll cram all the roots together, reduce water supply and cut off vital oxygen to your beautiful blooms.
If you’re planting something that grows around 10 to 12 inches in height, opt for a planter that is around 6 to 8 inches in diameter. If plants grow taller, between 24 and 36 inches, look for a planter that is around 24 inches in diameter.
- Planter Material
Different planter materials have a unique effect on the plants placed inside. Not to mention, cheap clay or plastic pots tend to break and crack, meaning plants must be transported elsewhere and this can stress them out.
Some planter materials allow in more or less heat, which will impact how often you should water your plants. Porous planters are especially notorious for letting water out through the process of evaporation.
- Functionality: Self-Watering
Self-watering planters are an excellent option for healthier and happier plants. That’s because they allow excess water to drain away from roots – preventing root rot, which occurs when roots sit in excess water. Plus, when plants become thirsty, they can tap back into the reservoir of stored water, preventing them from drying out, even if you forget to water them one week.
In addition, drainage offers aeration for potted roots, which makes it easier for them to “breathe” and access oxygen.
TerraCast Planters offer an ideal environment for plants, plus they are durable, long lasting, and made right here in the USA using sustainable practices. All of our planters come with the option to add a self-watering basin to the bottom. Shop our complete collection of commercial and residential planters.
#2. Picking the Right Assortment of Plants
It’s easy to start picking out plants to fill your planters based on whatever catches your eye first, but going in with a solid plan is always the best option for long-term success. For one, make sure all of the plants you pick are native and will thrive in your region. Next, when picking plants that’ll share the same planter, make sure to select plants that thrive under the same water and lighting conditions (full sunlight, partial sunlight, mostly shade, etc.)
Lastly, you want it to look like a cohesive bunch. Pick plants with different heights and bloom times to create a visually dynamic scene. Adding foliage plants will help fill out the pot better, while creating a unified picture and better visual appeal.
Combine different colors that complement one another to create a portrait of beauty. For instance, oranges and yellows go great together, as do blues and purples. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and combine unrelated colors as well – as this can offer a striking pop of color that everyone can’t help but notice. When selecting flower colors, don’t forget to think about the background – the color of your home or building, as well as the surrounding landscape. In addition, the colors you select for planters can make a big difference to the appearance of your final project.
#3. The Benefits of Great Soil
Nutrient-rich soil will make all the difference when it comes to a thriving garden. Seek out container soil with some moisture-retaining materials, like sphagnum moss or peat. You’ll also want to add nutrient-rich materials like compost or manure. Each year, you should replace around 2/3 of the old soil with fresh soil. If your plants become diseased you must get rid of the soil and start fresh. Everything from fungus to mites can remain nestled in the dirt even if the plants look okay.
#4. Maintenance Matters
From watering to pruning dead leaves, maintenance is an important part of keeping beautiful planters. Remove any diseased specimens right away because due to the close living quarters of potted plants, diseases and outbreaks will spread quickly.
Water is one of the most important maintenance tasks you don’t want to forget. Since plants are in a container, they have a limited supply of moisture to pull from. Forgetting to water them, even for a short period of time, can have devastating effects.
#5. Combine Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers
There are three different classifications of potted plants – thrillers, fillers, and spillers. Adding a combination of all three offers a no-fail plan to beautiful planters. Thrillers grow vertically, while fillers tend to grow horizonal or in a weaving pattern, and spillers cascade over the edge of the planer. A combination of all three creates a fuller looking planter you’ll be proud to display.