Every year I fill at least two large terra cotta pots with flowers near my pool.
I have a large yard and pool deck so filling these and other big pots can get expensive fast. Here are three easy tips for saving money when filling large containers:
1. Keep it Simple
I used to fill these pots with a mix of plants because I love the look of a mixed container with the whole thrill/spill/fill thing going on.
But, due to the size of the pot, it would cost me anywhere from $15 – $25 per pot — not even factoring in the cost of potting soil — which can definitely add up so now I keep it simple.
I buy one, larger plant for each pot and that is all.
This year I chose a hibiscus which was a little pricier than some I’ve done in the past. This plant came in a 6″ pot and cost $12. Still, not cheap, but it will grow to fill the entire pot to make a big impact and it will last all summer. That’s a big deal here in Texas because many plants look great in the spring but die in the August heat. This plant also meets some other crucial requirements, which I’ll address as we go along.
2. Plant choice matters — A Dead Plant in the Middle of the Season is a Waste of Money
Size/Growth Rate Matter When Considering Overall Cost
I chose this particular hibiscus from a local nursery that has great quality plants. A 6″ pot at my local Walmart would not necessarily be this large. Yes, per plant, it would have been cheaper, but it would have taken more plants to make an immediate impact. I decided it was worth paying a few extra bucks for a “fluffier” plant because this hibiscus will look great now and later in the summer.
Selection — What to Consider
Zone
Research what plants are best for your geographical zone as as well as where in your yard and/or patio you plant to plant them. Why? Who wants a beautiful plant in the spring but a dead one later in the season? Make sure you have full sun plants in full sun and low light plants in the shade. WARNING: full sun plants in the northern United States, for example, may be morning sun plants in the southern U.S. Research your area! If you miss this important point you will be throwing money right out the window!
Water Requirements
This goes hand-in-hand with the lighting requirements and is every bit as important. Hibiscus is a tropical plant and is accustomed to sunny, humid conditions. Just as important as knowing what the plant requires is DOING what the plant requires! I have lost a plant or two by sheer laziness. I didn’t feel like dragging the hose or watering can all the way out to the back of my yard to water a plant every day, so now I only plant things that I know I will be willing to maintain!
Annual, Perennial or Evergreen?
When researching, look at both annuals and perennials (annuals are plants that need to be re-planted every year, perennials are plants that come back year after year). Two years ago, I planted fan palms in my pots. I got away with watering them only every other day in the heat of the summer and they lasted two years.
You can see them in my iPhone picture below:
Truth be told, they probably would have lasted another year or two, but I decided to let them go so I could do something different this year.
My point, however is this: perennials and evergreens make the cost of planting in a large pot so much less. I have several boxwoods that I’ve put in pots scattered around my porch and patios. I now have greenery year-round that doesn’t cost me a thing every year!
The boxwood below is one I planted a few years ago and then filled in with a few spring annuals. When the annuals died, I left the boxwood. Today, the boxwood fills the entire container and there is no need for any more annuals.
I get the “wow” factor by placing one stunning annual near the everygreen. If it doesn’t make it through the entire season, I just remove it and enjoy the greenery. So simple and it costs so much less!
3. Don’t Fill Up the Entire Pot with Soil
One of my favorite planting tricks when using a large container is to fill some of the space with an upside-down pot.
It really reduces the amount of potting soil you need to use and it makes the pot lighter and easier to move. I used another terra cotta pot, but you could even use a plastic throw-away pot that plants come in from the nursery. Just make sure that there is a drainage hole so the plant drains properly. The pot should also be small enough to give your newly potted plant some room to grow.
There you have it! My three easy tips for planting inexpensively in large pots. I’d love to hear any tricks you might have, too!
Happy Gardening!
There’s nothing prettier than hibiscus. I spend a lot of money every year on plants and flowers – my husband is my enabler because he loves them too. You could also put ornamental grass in your pots and they would probably live through the winter.
What a great tutorial, Julie! I’m a novice gardener, and posts like these are a huge help! Pinning!
For the last several years I’ve grown marigolds in many of my containers because I can harvest the seeds easily and start new plants the following year myself (so really I’m only paying for the potting soil). Can anyone recommend other flowers that have seeds that are easily harvested and grown year after year?
I always toss in a few plastic bottles (lids on) to take up space in the bottom of big pots before filling them with soil.
I’ve done that with marigolds, too. Zinnias also self-seed but I’ve never actually harvested them. I just let them go to seed and then the next year I they grow in some of my beds.
Great idea about the plastic bottles. I have also used packing peanuts but found them to be a bother if I ever take the soil out to use in the garden or wherever. Someone on Hometalk mentioned putting packing peanuts in a plastic bag first. You might post your seed question on Hometalk, too.
Thanks for commenting!
I put pieces of styrofoam or metal pop cans, water bottles in the bottom of my large flower pots or anything that takes up space but make sure I leave enough room for the flower to root well.
I put pieces of styrofoam or metal pop cans, water bottles in the bottom of my large flower pots or anything that takes up space but make sure I leave enough room for the flower to root well.
You have shared an amazing information!! Thank you so much for the useful share!
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