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!
Good morning! Thanks for your filler ideas. I think I might also try beach balls from dollar tree then fill in spaces with pool noodles as you suggested.
I have used clean broken down styrofoam ice chest for fillers and my plants have done fine with it the roots grow through with big pots aren’t so heavy I don’t have to use as much dirt and I can move them around a lot better I just break them up into chunks like I said the plants that I have grown have always done fine…
i use old tennis balls and have for years. Plentiful and free!
Thank you! I received a lovely Hydregenia for a gift and the last one I got it died! I’m going to repot this one but was not sure how to fill the planter other than dirt!
My planters have no drainage holes. What can I put in the bottom?
Thank you for reaching out, Ola. For planters without drainage holes, adding a layer of filler material at the bottom will help manage excess water. There are many great ideas in this blog post. Another option is the cache pot method. Simply place your plant in a smaller pot with drainage holes, and then set this pot inside your decorative planter. This setup allows water to drain into the outer planter, preventing the soil from becoming too wet. Be sure to empty any collected water regularly to keep your plants healthy.