You ’ve seen it at your neighbor ’s garden .
The plant pots are position at a elevation . And you wonder why is that done ?
Are there some benefit and should you do the same for your potted plants ?
Photo showing the lower grills of my balcony that help with aeration and drainage.
Container potted plants should be elevated because it improves drainage , air circulation , and pestilence protection . you may habituate pot stand , pot ft , batch riser , or materials such as brick , stones , books , or trays to elevate potted plant .
In this mail , let ’s search at what welfare you get with elevated potted plants , how you may lift your own plant raft , and the caution you should have it off .
countenance ’s begin .
Photo showing the lower grills of my balcony that help with aeration and drainage.
What are the benefits of elevating potted plants?
1. Improved drainage
The gage have drain fix at the bottom that help murder excess water supply from the soil after lachrymation . Elevating the pots help forbid the drain holes from getting blocked .
So , you wo n’t have the job where the potting grime remains moist for a farsighted time due to sit down in water . It helps prevent overwatering problems in the potted plant that can make root decomposition .
2. Better air circulation
Since you elevate the mint , there will be good air circulation through thedrainage pickle . The plants will have better spacing which also encourages honorable air circulation .
unspoiled line circulation reduce chances of a humid condition near the potted plants . And prevents many types of fungous disease from affecting the plant .
My container works are on my balcony grill which acts as an elevation and allow respectable drain and spate of aeration . For some plant pots that are place on the earth , I used clinker blocks lying around to give them elevation .
3. Helps prevent some pests
There are some plant pests that reach the plant from the terra firma , such asslugsand escargot . When you elevate the raft , these pests can not aggress the plant . But this works best if you utilise fall planter that do n’t have any contact with the priming .
4. Helps reduce strain
It can be tough tending to potted flora when you have to bend your back . When you elevate the pots , it becomes easier to maintain the plants for watering , pruning , and fertilizing .
This will reduce the strain on your back and make horticulture comfortable . This is an important benefit for seniors looking to develop their own garden .
5. Adds an aesthetic appeal
you may improve the look of your container garden by elevating the plenty using stands , hanging planter , and chopine .
Using unlike sizes and shapes of potted plant makes it more visually interesting than placing all peck on the solid ground .
How high off the ground should potted plants be?
The potted plant should be at a height of 2 - 4 inches , so it ’s enough to get all the benefits that we saw . It also is pragmatic using pot stand or feet that you get at the store .
you may raise good deal higher if you want and you may get standstill that are grandiloquent . Just check that that the material you used to elevate the pots is sturdy enough if the plants and pots are large .
How to elevate the plant pots above ground
The first step would be tochoose the mess foot , green goddess risers or stand you ’ll utilize to elevate the pots . You ’ll regain these in a garden center or online storage . verify to get ones that are of unspoilt caliber and durable . If you have a low budget , you may even use a simple stack of bricks or stone to upgrade the pots .
Take one of the pot feet or riser and place it at the localisation you want for the plant pot . Now lift the plant great deal and pose it on this pile foot .
you’re able to then push the required pot foot at different expanse under the works flowerpot to give it good backup . And remove the pot feet that you had place earlier for support .
Place the pot foot or stand evenly under each recess of the pot to prevent it from coggle or tipping over . The pot should be static and level .
How to choose the right type of pot feet or stands
The most important constituent would be the quality of the material . Youneed something that will supportthe weight of the flora pot , specially if the industrial plant and mess are heavy .
you’re able to get the stack feet or stand up made from wood , alloy , or plastic free-base on your alternative . I would suggest choosing plastic because it will be undestroyable and last longer .
pick out pot feet or stands that have at least 2 - 4 column inch height , so there is good airflow and drainage possible .
Below are some sight feet and bear that I recommend .
What are some alternatives you can use as pot stands?
Bricks or cinder blocks : These can be stacked to create a sturdy and cheap pot stand .
Wooden pallet : These can be used as a base for pot stands , or the slat can be used individually as pot feet .
Terra cotta saucers : These can be turned upside down and used as crapper feet or bandstand .
Old piece of furniture : Chairs , can , and tables that are no longer in use of goods and services can be repurposed as pot point of view .
Books or magazines : pile these to make a temporary pot stand . Be sure to use sturdy books and stack them equally to preclude the pots from tipping over .
Old baking pans or tray : These can be used as pot stands , and the raised sharpness help contain any water runoff .
PVC pipes or tube : Cut into scant lengths , these can be used as slew metrical unit or to make a wide-eyed pot sales booth .
Should you put anything in the pot’s bottom for elevation?
I had a thought that could weplace textile inside the Perodicticus potto achieve elevation . This could be makeweight cloth such as packing peanuts , broken terracotta pieces , or newspaper .
So , this would achieve the same benefits of raising the soil above the bottom of the weed and check just drainage .
But I realized it would not give all the benefits of using things like pot stands . There would still be chance that the drainage holes were touching the ground and blocked .
I would suggest using a combination of both . Use sight stands to elevate the dope and use filler material to get other benefits , such as a dispirited intensity of pot land .
What are precautions to take for elevated plant pots?
You want to ensure the industrial plant pots are on stable great deal feet or stands . Make trusted you center the mass on the supports and wo n’t tumble over . This can be very significant if your garden gets strong winds . Your Thomas Kyd or PET also have chances of make the pots to light down .
I would indicate you do n’t keep the rarefied plant pots in an region that would block any walkways or pathways . It could be a actuate hazard and cause the pots to shine .
When you get the pot outdoor stage or feet , check how much weight they can withstand . You need something that is long-lasting and can hold the plant pots you have .
Plant endure or foot made from charge plate , metal , or wood will be indestructible . But it ’ good to supervise them as part of unconstipated maintenance . If you find the material has degraded , it would be clip for replacement or you risk the mass falling over .
Further reading
Now we know it ’s important to kick upstairs potted plants and encourage better drainage and melodic phrase flow . This is one of the basics of container gardening . I ’ve spell a batch more about this in the stake below .
Fact Checked , Written , and print by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor , a website that aims to learn hoi polloi to grow their own nutrient in a circumscribed space . As a self - taught gardener , Kevin has spend several years growing plants and create gardening cognitive content on the site . He is licence in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University . He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University . study more
