There is an art to potting plants so they thrive, and today we are sharing with you how to pot plants like an expert!

I attended this class last week from a fantastic lady who has been working in nurseries, gardening, and planting for many years. In fact, we first met her at a local nursery back in the 90s. For over 40 years, she has been putting together lovely potted plants.

If anyone knows how to plant, it is her.

I took notes and pictures from this class to share with our readers so you can gain her knowledge too!

Let’s get started!

How To Pot Plants Like An Expert

Karen has been working in a nursery since she was 16 years old. She said she got her first plant when she was a young girl, and she kept it on her window seal. This sparked her love for plants, and she has been working in this field since then.

Like I mentioned above, Karen worked in our local nursery which is where my mom met her many, many years ago. Then her son ended up being in my kindergarten class. If anyone in our town wants to know how to plant, what to plant, or when to plant, they want to talk with Karen!

So, you are getting some wonderful potted plant tips today!

Step 1: Find a good pot

As Karen started this class, her first tip was to find a good pot. We live in a very hot, dry climate here in Texas, but we also have hard winters like this past one. Clay pots or terra cota pots aren’t the best option for our area. She said with the heat, they will only last a few years before busting. I have learned this time and again which is why I don’t do clay pots anymore. She said that glazed pots will last longer, but they are still going to be weaker for our climate. Your best option is a nice plastic pot.

Plastic pots are lighter, easier to move, and they do better in our climate in Texas. If you live in another climate, you can check with your local nursery to see what type they recommend for your area.

Step 2: Make sure it has ample drainage holes

Karen said drainage is the key to a pot, and many pots either don’t have holes or not enough. She drills holes all throughout the bottom to make a good area for water to drain out. She said in smaller pots like the ones we see in the pictures, she does not add ANY filler. No rocks, plastic, wood, or anything like that. She said if you have a really large pot, you can add in some filler at the bottom just to make it lighter. With small pots like this, it is better to use straight potting soil because more than likely, the roots of the plant will make it all the way down there.

Step 3: Fill entire pot with potting soil

This is another thing I learned. She first fills the entire pot with good quality potting soiling. I had always filled the pot partially with soil, then held the plant while I filled in around it. She fills the entire pot first, then digs a little hole for the plant. This is her tip for making sure you have the right depth for your plant.

→ How To Pot Plants Like an Expert: Potting Soil Tips

Before we move on to the next steps, I thought I would insert some great tips she had about potting soil. First, you get what you pay for. She said many cheap potting soils you buy are filled with too much peat moss or filler, so plants do not do as well with them overtime. In fact, potted plants will dry out quickly with cheap potting soil. In our Texas climate, this is something you don’t want. She recommended traditional Miracle Gro Brand or Expert Organic Potting Soil is also a good choice.

Many people make their own potting soil, but she said the cost is higher, and you run the risk of not getting the right ratios.  Overall, buying good potting soil is cheaper and keeps plants healthier in the long run. Good quality potting soil has the right amounts of ingredients, but also just airy enough to help roots grow well without getting dried out.

Step 4: Break up the plants root ball before putting into pot

I have never done this before! Before placing the plant in the pot, Karen said it is a good idea to gently break up roots because most plants are very root bound in the pot they come in. Breaking up roots will allow the plant to grow better in the pot! She also removes access soil around the root system.

Step 5: Dig a hole in the potting soil and place plant inside

Next, dig a hole in the potting soil, place the plant in it, and place dirt back around the plant.

Step 6: Add in other filler plants

She created a sun pot and a shade pot for us. She likes to add trailing or filler plants around the main plant. When choosing other plants to add to your pot, you always want to make sure they have the same sun requirements.

Step 7: Fill empty spots with potting soil

After all the plants are added, you can fill remaining areas with potting soil. You want the potting soil to come to the top of the plant’s base since the soil will settle once it is watered.

Step 8: Sprinkle slow release plant food

Karen used Expert organic plant food to sprinkle lightly around plants. She said she likes this better than any liquid option, but also something more gentle than fertilizer. She said you don’t want to use strong fertilizer on newly planted plants. She also recommended only doing plant food every two months, they don’t need it anymore than that.

Step 9: Add mulch to the top

This is also a tip I have never used! Adding mulch to the top of your potted plant creates a put together look, but also eliminates water splashing out the potting soil or settling soil down too much. She recommended cedar mulch.

I was amazed how pretty it made the pots look!

Thank you again to Karen for sharing her knowledge on how to pot plants like an expert! She did a great job!

I think I will get her to share some details with us on great plants for shade and for sun next.

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