How to plant plant containers correctly

Garten & Pflanzen Hochbeet Praxistipps
How to plant plant containers correctly


Key Points

  • A high-quality planter made of sturdy, weather-resistant material such as Corten steel promotes plant growth, especially when protected from waterlogging by a well-designed drainage system.
  • The drainage layer in the planter, ideally made of expanded clay or pebbles, ensures optimal water drainage, while suitable soil further supports growth.
  • ELEO offers durable planters like the Vernazza model made of Corten steel, which combines elegance and functionality. united.

 

How to Plant a Planter with Drainage

A planter on the patio or balcony, filled with abundant flowering plants, is a wonderful sight. However, proper planting, including drainage, is crucial for healthy plant growth. Drainage in the planter prevents waterlogging. Many hobby gardeners who overwater their green charges are familiar with this problem. Prolonged waterlogging will kill the plants. A drainage layer in the planter ensures that excess water can drain away and promotes root growth.

We explain how to equip your planter with drainage and plant it correctly.


Basically – choose a high-quality planter

The higher the quality of the planter, the longer you will enjoy it and the more space your plants will have for healthy growth in the long term. Therefore, choose a planter made of sturdy, weatherproof material – especially if it is to be placed outdoors (on a patio or balcony) and exposed to the elements year-round. A model made of metal or Corten steel is ideal here.

Discover weatherproof planters now

Regardless of drainage, your planter should always have holes in the bottom so that the water can drain away. In most cases, holes can also be added later if your planters don't have any – a drill will do the trick.

What exactly is drainage?

The term "drainage" originally comes from French and can be translated as "dewatering". In plant pots, drainage forms a layer at the bottom of the pot, ensuring that excess water can drain away and improving aeration. Waterlogging can cause root rot, which in turn impairs plant growth and, in the worst case, leads to the death of the plants.

Expanded clay as drainage for plants in detail

Expanded clay is a classic choice for drainage in plant pots. Image source: pixabay.com, Roses_Street

What material is suitable for drainage?

The drainage layer can consist of various materials. The most commonly used are:

  • Expanded clay or clay granules
  • Pebbles
  • Clay shards (terracotta)

Generally speaking, the coarser the drainage material, the faster excess water can drain away. Place your chosen drainage material directly into the bottom of the planter.

How deep should the drainage layer be in the planter?

A depth of 5 to 10 cm is generally recommended for the drainage layer.

Several factors play a role here: the size of the planter, the needs of the plants, and the site conditions. If the planter is exposed to the elements and frequently subjected to rain, it is advisable to make the drainage layer thicker.

ELEO Manarola raised bed made of Corten steel, planted with grasses on a terrace
Grasses such as fountain grass also benefit from drainage. Pictured: The ELEO Manarola Raised Bed made of Corten steel.


After the drainage comes the soil

Once you have filled the drainage layer in the planter, add the potting soil. You can find various types of soil in stores, tailored to the needs of different plant species – for example, special soil for herbs, hydrangeas, or roses. However, there's nothing wrong with using regular universal potting soil. For the sake of the environment, choose a peat-free product. Fill the soil to the rim of your planter. Done. Now your planter is well protected from waterlogging and ready for planting.

How to Avoid Overwatering

You can avoid overwatering your plant pot by checking the moisture content of the soil before watering – the easiest way to do this is with the finger test. If the soil is only dry on the surface and the two to three centimeters below are moist, you can wait a little longer before watering.


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Find your new metal planter

Tip: Leave enough space between individual plants when planting so that they have sufficient room for vigorous growth.
Good to know: The water requirements of plants vary depending on the plant species. As a rule of thumb, remember that plants with delicate leaves, such as the passionflower, have a higher water requirement than plants with fleshy leaves, such as the houseleek.
Annett Zahn
by Annett Zahn Annett Zahn

Plants and herbs are my passion. From a young age, I was able to build up a wealth of knowledge in this area, which my garden constantly benefits from.

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