What can I put in the bottom of a large 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. More items...

What can I 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 best to put in the bottom of a planter 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.

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?

However, because landfills are overfilled with non-biodegradable products, many Styrofoam packing products are now made to dissolve in time. It is not recommended to use Styrofoam peanuts for potted plants now, because they may break down in water and soil, leaving you with sunken-in containers .

How to fill a raised garden bed cheaply?

Use the Lasagna Garden Method 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).

How many bags of soil does it take to fill a planter?

Size of Bag and Approximate Number of Pots It Fills Pot type & size Approximate soil volume of pot*(dry quarts*) 20-qt bag 8 ¼ inch 3.6 5½ 10 ¼ inch 6.9 3 12 inch 10.7 2 14 inch 15.3 1¼ 26 more rows

How do you fill a large wooden planter?

Add a layer of gravel, broken pots, or large stones to the planter's base for drainage. Then fill it with soil or compost suitable for the type of plants or vegetables you want to grow . Now it's ready for planting!

Can I put cardboard in the bottom of my planter?

Instead of throwing it in the trash, an easy way to repurpose spare cardboard is to line them on the bottom of your raised garden beds . One frequently asked question is whether you can put cardboard in your raised beds. The answer is yes.

What Can I Use to Fill the Bottom of a Large Planter? (2024)

Posted by Jason Wyrwicz on Jan 19th 2021

One of the most common questions about using large planters is, "what do I fill the bottom with?." Potting soil is no cheap affair, and when you have large or commercial planters, the dollars soon add up.

You don't need to fill a large planter with soil (unless you want to and can afford it). There are plenty of other materials you can use that work well and ensure the potted plant or tree continues to grow and thrive.

Things to Consider before Filling the Bottom of Your Large Planter

First, you will need to know the specific requirements of the plant or tree you wish to pot. Depending on the type of tree or plant, it will likely require different amounts of space within the pot or planter. You will then know how much space you need to fill.

If you only need to fill a small amount of space, you should opt for high-quality potting soil and not regular garden soil. Soil from your garden or elsewhere is likely contaminated with weeds and other contaminants that hinder your plant or tree's growth.

Potting soil is designed to allow for proper drainage in a planter. Soil from the ground can cause issues with planter drainage, weight, and potential freeze/thaw.

If you have a large amount of space to fill at the bottom of your large planter, find the most suitable filling for your planter's base from the list below.

6 Alternatives to Soil to Fill the Bottom of a Large Planter

Before we get started on what you should use, a quick note on what not to use. Avoid using packing peanuts made from corn, as they will disintegrate when exposed to water.

1. Recycled Plastics

As we all probably know, plastic pollution is now a serious environmental issue. If you have recycled plastic lying around, such as water or soda bottles, grocery bags, or milk and juice jugs, use them to fill the bottom of your large planter. The plastic is of more use in the base of yourtall planter than in a landfill.

2. Packing Materials

You can use packing peanuts as long as they’re not the type that dissolves in water. Styrofoam peanuts do an excellent job. Make sure they’re secured within a bag to keep them stable and in place. It also makes your life easier if you decide to repot the plant.

You can use styrofoam blocks also. Again make sure they’re in a bag to keep them stable.

3. Metal Cans

Many of us go through a good number of canned foods each week. Try upcycling cans to fill your large planter by crushing them and layering them to fill the desired area.

4. Plastic Pots

Plastic pots from chilled foods or takeaways can be useful. Just turn them upside down, so the flat bottom is facing upwards. Doing this will create a solid foundation at the bottom of the large planter for your plant or tree to sit.

5. Natural Materials

You may have several natural materials around the house or garden that can be of use. Pine cones, wood chips, leaves, and sticks can all be used but will break down over time—a sustainable choice for seasonal planters who repot regularly.

6. 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.

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