Are you a plant lover looking to add some extra flair to your greenery? Look no further than extra-large planters! Not only do they make a stunning accent to any plant design, but they can also be a practical choice. Depending on the type of plants you plan on using and their root spread, filling an entire large planter with potting soil may not be necessary for optimal growth. Plus, buying large quantities of potting soil can be costly, and filling a planter with soil can make it incredibly heavy.
To save money and recycle materials, check out these top tricks to fill large planters.
Preventing Excess Water and Root Rot
First and foremost, don’t let excess water and root rot dampen your green thumb adventures! Whether you’re planting outdoors or indoors, it’s important to ensure proper drainage in your planter. For outdoor planters, be sure to check that there are holes in the bottom to let moisture drain out. And for indoor planters, try out the stylish and practical cache pot method to prevent any spills and keep your floors looking their best.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to healthy, thriving plants in your favorite planters!
Choosing the Right Filler Material for Your Planter
Choosing the right filler material for your planter is crucial for ensuring it stays in place and looks great. Consider where you plan to place your planter before selecting a filler material. If you’re hanging your planter, or placing it on a balcony or railing, you’ll want to opt for lightweight fillers to prevent it from becoming too heavy.
On the other hand, for extra large planter boxes that will be permanent fixtures and need to withstand harsh weather or potential theft, heavier fillers will provide the stability and security you need.
Use Household Items as Eco-Friendly Planter Fillers
Transform your waste into a source of life! Don’t let a lack of budget or materials hold you back from creating the perfect planter. Try these eco-friendly lightweight planter filler options made from everyday household items.
- Plastic water and soda bottles
- Unused nursery pots
- Non-dissolvable packing peanuts
- Old pool noodles
- Clean foam take-out containers
- Styrofoam packing materials
- Aluminum soda cans
- Pine Cones
- Sticks and branches
- Recycled cardboard
- Newspaper
Fill Your Heavy Planter with These Strong and Sturdy Materials
Ready to make your planters practically immovable? Look no further than these heavy-duty filler materials.
- Gravel
- Landscaping rocks
- Broken pottery or tiles
- Bricks
- Cinder blocks
- Large logs and branches
- Sand
Transforming a plain planter into a stunning showpiece requires more than just filling it with soil. After you’ve chosen your lightweight or heavy planter filler materials, consider placing a landscaping barrier fabric between the filler and soil. Not only does it keep the soil and filler separate, but it also makes potential removal and transplants much easier.
As you fill your planter, you may encounter a variety of opinions on the different materials used as tricks to fill large planters. Some gardening experts recommend filling planters with soil only to give plants all the space they need for roots. Others argue that sand creates an unsuitable soil environment for optimal plant growth. Regardless, most people agree that organic matter may break down over time and become soil rather than remain as filler.
To ensure your plants thrive, carefully consider the combination of plant, planter, and filler that works best for your usage. Consult your local garden center or nursery for any concerns regarding the use of these materials to fill your planters.
Remember that plants need light, water, and a growing medium to thrive. No matter what material you use to fill extra space, your plants can be happy and healthy without your extra large planter being completely filled with potting soil. Get creative and experiment with different materials to create a unique planter that reflects your personal style!
FAQs
Packing Peanuts, Styrofoam and Pool Noodles
Consider accumulating them in a bag so that they don't get everywhere when you need to repot. If you use a plastic bag, put the bag in your pot so that the bag opening is facing down or has a few small holes poked in it so that it doesn't fill with water.
How to cheaply fill a large planter? ›
Packing Peanuts, Styrofoam and Pool Noodles
Consider accumulating them in a bag so that they don't get everywhere when you need to repot. If you use a plastic bag, put the bag in your pot so that the bag opening is facing down or has a few small holes poked in it so that it doesn't fill with water.
What to use to fill space in a large planter? ›
You can use rocks, pieces of concrete or bricks, gravel, and/or pebbles. The benefit of using these types of rubble to fill your planter is that they have some weight to them. Weight can help anchor a tall planter that may be prone to tipping over.
What is the best thing to put in the bottom of pots for drainage? ›
One of the best things to put at the bottom of a planter for drainage is broken pieces of pot. You can use any unwanted plant pots or chipped crockery for this – simply smash them up into small to medium-sized pieces. Adding a layer of broken pieces of pot like this will prevent compost loss out of the drainage holes.
How do you make a false bottom in a large planter? ›
Waste Paper and Cardboard
Put those old newspapers and Amazon delivery boxes to good use and fill the bottom of your large planter with a mix of them crushed down. Again, these materials will break down over time, so they're best suited for those repotting regularly.
Should I put rocks at the bottom of my planter? ›
The only reason to put a rock in the bottom of the planter is to cover the drainage hole and keep soil from coming out when you water your plant. Only use one rock per drainage hole. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!
Is it okay to put Styrofoam in the bottom of a planter? ›
Is it okay to put styrofoam in the bottom of a planter? “Using Styrofoam at the bottom of planters is not recommended. It doesn't provide drainage and may eventually break down into microplastic particles, posing environmental concerns,” says Spoonemore.
Can you put plastic bottles in the bottom of a planter? ›
Make sure bottles are tightly capped, so inside them is only air and the weight of the soil won't make them collapse. Empty water bottles make big pots weigh less, save on soil, prevent soggy roots, and are easy to remove when emptying the pot. Simply hose them off before returning them to your recycling bin.
Can you put cardboard in the bottom of a planter? ›
The answer is yes. You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to block out weeds or act as a barrier against rhizomatous, weedy or invasive plants. While some may opt for landscape fabric, cardboard is a more cost-effective option.
What do you put in the bottom of a raised planter? ›
Start with a layer of landscape fabric to prevent soil from washing out. Above this, a layer of gravel or small stones can aid in drainage. Then, fill the bed with a mix of topsoil, compost, and other organic matter. This layered approach ensures good drainage while providing a nutrient-rich environment for plants.
“If your planter doesn't have holes, you can keep the plant in its grow or nursery pot and place it inside the planter you would like to use,” he says. You can also place gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the decorative pot and place the functional pot with drainage on top of that layer.
How do you fill a large flower bed? ›
The smaller pieces are placed on top of the larger pieces to fill space, such as branches and sticks, and then grass clippings, leaves and kitchen scraps. Compost and topsoil are on the top two layers for your raised garden bed so you can start planting as the organic matter beneath decomposes.
Is it okay to put styrofoam in the bottom of a planter? ›
Is it okay to put styrofoam in the bottom of a planter? “Using Styrofoam at the bottom of planters is not recommended. It doesn't provide drainage and may eventually break down into microplastic particles, posing environmental concerns,” says Spoonemore.
How to fill a raised garden bed cheaply? ›
To start, lay down sheets of cardboard or newspaper for weed suppression and then fill the raised bed structure halfway up with alternating layers of nitrogen-rich materials (like kitchen scraps and grass clippings) and carbon-rich materials (like wood chips and dried autumn leaves).
