Plants for patio pots and containers
Patio plants can serve many purposes from flowering annuals for colour, perennial plants for pollinators or fruit and vegetable plants for fresh produce. When deciding on which patio plants to grow, think about what kind of maintenance you’d be prepared to put in, whether you’d like to grow plants for their scent, and what kind of garden style you’re contributing to.
Also think about where your patio is situated, particularly in regards to the amount of sunlight it gets during the day, and whether it’s sheltered or exposed to high winds. If you’re limited on space, know that certain patio plants can be grown in small containers to be placed on tables or use hanging baskets to add height. These are very versatile plants!
How to plant a patio container
- Choose your pot. Different pot materials have different qualities. For example, terracotta plant pots are sturdy and can hold up in strong winds, but can wick moisture from the soil, meaning you’ll have to water your plants more.
- Check your pot has adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging plant roots. If the pot has a single drainage hole, you may want to add a layer of crocks at the bottom of the pot to stop the hole from getting blocked with compost.
- Fill your pot with fresh, multi-purpose compost for flower plants and bulbs, or use a soil-based compost for long-term plants such as ornamental trees and small shrubs.
- Plant your patio plants and leave a 2cm gap between the top of the compost and the rim of the pot. Firm the compost with your hands to get rid of air holes, then fill in the gaps.
- Water well, and maintain your plant to its individual specifications.
You may also be interested in Suttons potted bedding plants and decorative pots.
