Transform your garden effortlessly with vibrant potted plants. This guide emphasises a balanced soil mix, proper drainage, and stylish plant arrangement featuring Coleus, Carex, and Echeveria. Weekly watering and a liquid plant food ensure a thriving, beautiful potted garden without overwhelming maintenance. Enjoy your green haven with ease and joy!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Soil Mix, Drainage, and a Stylish Plant Arrangement
Pot plants aren’t just about looks; they bring versatility and space efficiency to your garden. Elevate your outdoor space with a mix of plants in a single pot, effortlessly adding variety and colour. Follow these simple steps to give your garden a fresh hit of colour and texture.
What you’ll need
Fresh potting soil
Palm peat
Organic pellets (we’ve used kelp and chicken litter)
Water retaining granules
Soil conditioner (carbon-based granules)
Variety of Plants (we’ve chosen Coleus, Carex, and Echeveria)
Achieve a perfect, well-draining soil
Mix fresh potting soil, 2-3 handfuls of soaked palm peat, a handful of organic pellets (with kelp and chicken litter), 3 teaspoons of water-retaining granules (this helps with moisture retention), and 3 teaspoons of carbon-rich soil conditioner. Your plants will thrive in this blend. Before planting, ensure your pot breathes. Clear drainage holes and add a layer of pebbles or crocks to prevent the holes from becoming blocked with soil.
The Plant Ensemble
Fill your pot halfway with the soil mix. When creating a potted plant arrangement, you want to choose plants that compliment each other. You also want a variety of heights to create balance and a dynamic arrangement. We’ve started with the Coleus at the back for height. Always remove plants gently from their original containers so as not to loosen too much of the soil around the roots. But do tease the roots lightly to encourage them to grow out and settle into the new potting soil. Next, we have an elegant Carex which takes centre stage at the front. These two plants ahave contrasting, complientary colours and textures. At this stage, you may find it useful to fill in a bit more soil. Finally, we’ve added a large Echeveria. This low-growing plant has a distinct structure and becomes a feature in the arrangement.
Styling Tips
Plant plants at a slight angle – this way you can really fill out the pot and encourage plants to grow over the edges. Let the plant edges mingle for a full, well rounded arrangement. If the plants don’t touch, they’re too small, or the pot is too big. Consider how the plants will grow over time. This will also affect your selection. Avoid fast, large growing plants with small, slow-growing plants as this will mean that your pot won’t age well.
Don’t forget to water!
Make sure to water your pots once a week. Deep watering and a touch of liquid plant food will keep them happy and thriving. A trick is to gently dig your finger into the soil. If the first 3 centimetres are dry, it’s generally time for a watering.
There you have it – a simple guide to transforming your garden – or home interior – with potted plants. Simple, beautiful, and easy to maintain, your garden escape is now ready for more joyful moments.
