Planting Pots

Where to keep my pots?

These fascinating little plants do not require a lot of work. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, forms and colors are easy to grow. They're also drought tolerant so you won't have to fuss with them once established.

Some (not all!) are cold-hardy.

For indoor succulents, it is generally best if water doesn’tget on top of the leaves. If it sits on a leaf for too long it can cause rot.

Use a small spout watering can (this oneis fantastic) or a squeeze bottle (like the one inthis super handy tool kit).

This isn’t as much of an issue for outdoor succulents because there is more airflow and the water will dry out quicker.

Cacti can surprise you. One of thewonderful things about cacti is that they will tolerate your terrible behavior for years and years, and then they will surprise you with flowers when they get growing again.

pot

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When choosing pots for plants … be creative! Try anything from an old boot, to that 16th century Baroque urn you just “had to have.” Just about anything can be used as a pot for plants providing it drains well (roots will rot in soggy soil) and doesn’t get too hot sitting in the sun. If the pot you select doesn’t have enough drainage holes, make sure to drill at least one “good-sized” hole for every gallon of soil used. If you can’t drill or punch holes into a particular planter, you can sometimes work around this, by planting in a separate pot and setting it inside the container you prefer. When selecting a pot, it’s important to consider the size of the plant —or plants —you will be growing. Yes, size does matter! If the pot is too small, plants will quickly become rootbound and the soil will not be able to hold enough moisture between waterings. Plants that are allowed to dry out, or wilt, will not be productive. Pots and planters are available in many different sizes, shapes, and materials. Whatever type of container you select, consider the area where it will be used and plan accordingly.

Tip: Choose containers in proper proportion to the size of the plant. A container that is about one-third as tall as the plant (measured from the soil line to the highest leaf) often works best.