Light Materials
If you have an especially big planter to fill, light, bulky materials are your best bet. Examples include plastic drink containers, milk jugs, crushed soda cans, foam packing materials and plastic or foam take-out containers.
What do you put in the bottom of a planter without drainage holes?
Some experts suggest using a layer of pebbles as a sort of drainage layer in those pots without drainage holes. This technique allows excess water to flow into the space with the pebbles, away from the the soil and therefore the roots of your plant.
Can you put Styrofoam in the bottom of a planter?
Bottom Line on Foam
Foam doesn’t break down easily in the environment, which means it’s unlikely to degrade in a vegetable gardening container so it’s safe to use as filler.
What can you use to fill the bottom of a large planter?
Light materials you can use to fill the bottom of your large planter include:
- Water/soda bottles.
- Water or milk jugs (lids on, if possible)
- Solo cups (turned upside down)
- Take-out plastic food containers.
- Empty detergent bottles.
- Nursery pots and 6-packs (turned upside down)
- Unused plastic pots (turned upside down)
Should I line my planter box with plastic?
You’ll still need to line the planter box with plastic. This helps protect the planter material from the water that drains out of the plastic pot. Using a plastic pot inside the planter box will help you plant new seedlings with ease.
Are pots without drainage holes bad?
If water does not have a way to drain freely, it gets trapped inside the pot and eventually deprives the roots of oxygen, creating roots rot, which is fatal to plants.
Why do plant pots not have holes?
They need to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the air, and excess water closes off the air pockets in soil. Plants in pots without drainage holes are prone to becoming overwatered. … As plant roots take in water, they leave some of the salts behind, and salts concentrate in the soil over time.
Should you drill holes in flower pots?
Drilling holes in resin planters allows plants to grow and stay healthy. … Inadequate drainage in a planter can make plant roots die because they are not receiving the oxygen they need. To prevent this from happening, drill holes in the bottom of your planter if there aren’t any already.