Although rocks and gravel are some of the most common materials to add to the bottom of your pot, they may not be the best option. Unfortunately, adding chunky items to the bottom of your planter can sometimes create a perched water table, which is when water pools in a container when it encounters a different medium other than soil. That layer — such as gravel — stops it from filtering through as it normally would, causing the water to sit and oversaturate the plant’s roots. And since root rot is one of the most common houseplant killers, it’s crucial to do what you can to prevent waterlogging.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t add anything to your pots to help your plant babies. When added carefully, certain items can help solve common problems, such as dirt spilling from the planter or large pots becoming too heavy when filled with a lot of dirt. And the best part is that some of these items might be lying around your house, waiting for you to use them. Here are some unexpected items you can repurpose to put at the bottom of your planters.
Add A Coffee Filter to Stop Dirt Spillage
Coffee filters aren’t just handy for making a cup of Joe in the morning. Surprisingly, they can also be added to the bottom of your planter. According to amateur gardeners, these kitchen staples are excellent at water regulation by ensuring your plants don’t dry out. They hold onto excess liquid and then release it back into the soil as it dries.
While there aren’t any scientific studies that prove this, enough people have had anecdotal success where this has become a popular houseplant tip. However, that’s not all. Coffee filters will also prevent dirt from spilling out from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. This will make watering much more convenient and a lot less messy, especially if you like to move the plant to the sink to do so. However, there is one slight downside: They are biodegradable, and although they decompose slowly, they aren’t permanent. You’ll likely have to replace them every six to eight months.
To use this trick, place a coffee filter at the bottom of a clean pot before adding any dirt. It should line the drainage holes to prevent the dirt from slipping past. For larger pots, you’ll need a few filters to cover the entire surface inside the planter. Dampening the coffee filters before lining the bottom can help them adhere better and stay in place while you add your soil and plant. From there, you can let the filter decompose naturally and add a fresh new sheet after nature takes its course.
Use Pinecones as Natural Filler
Pinecones make stunning additions to festive fall decor, but these natural beauties can be a huge help in the garden, too. So, if you have some littering your yard, save them for your large planters as free filler. They’re a huge help in making the planter less heavy since you can fill at least a third of it with lightweight pinecones rather than dense dirt.
However, this method is better suited for larger containers rather than small ones for a couple of reasons. First, since its main purpose is to make containers lighter, your smaller planters don’t really need it. Second, filling a small pot with too many pinecones will limit the amount of room for soil and roots. This will minimize the amount of nutrients available for your plant and won’t allow enough room for your roots to grow.
Bricks To Help Weigh Down Planters
While some large planters require a lightweight material to prevent them from being too heavy to handle, others benefit from adding a dense object. Perhaps you have a lightweight pot holding a top-heavy plant, like a tall tree or monstera. If so, adding a brick or two to the bottom will help stabilize it and prevent it from tipping over if someone bumps into it the wrong way. This is also a handy trick if you live in a windy area and keep your planters outdoors.
When using this technique, make sure to use two planters: One decorative one and one that you can nestle inside. Since you don’t want to add the bricks into the dirt, you will instead add them to the bottom of the outside container. Simply nestle the first planter into the larger, decorative one, and then circle the bottom with bricks. This will keep it in place, reducing its tipping risk.
There are more tips at: Housedigest.com©
