Planting a flower in a pot is fun and easy. You only need a planter, some potting mix, and the flower you want to grow. Give it some sunshine and water, and your potted flower will bloom.
You don’t need a lot of space to get started with gardening in a pot. A sunny corner is more than enough.
Learn how to plant a flower in a pot with our easy-to-follow guide and see what care your plant will need to thrive.
Image credit: @girlwonderpdx
Plant a flower in a pot step-by-step
You can plant a flower in a pot in a few easy steps. Begin by gathering all the supplies you’ll need. Then, pick the planter and flowering plant you want to grow. You’ll also have to choose the right soil for your plant.
Once done, you can prepare your pot, add a layer of gravel to it, fill it with soil, plant your flower, and finish off with enough water. After you’ve potted your plant, follow a few care tips to help it thrive.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to successfully plant your flower in a pot.
Step 1 – Gather your supplies
Before you start planting, list all the supplies you’ll need. That way, you will be prepared for the following steps.
You will need:
- Planter with drainage holes
- Potting mix
- Gravel
- All-purpose plant food (optional)
- Flowering plant
- Water
Step 2 – Choose your planter
Image credit: @bluelobsterflowerfarm
When choosing the right pot for your flower, consider its size and material. Also, make sure it has drainage holes so that the roots of your plant don’t rot in standing water.
The size of the planter depends on the flower you choose to grow in it. It should be at least an inch wider in diameter than your plant’s root ball.
That said, a large planter can be too heavy to move while a small one will not provide enough space for your plant to grow. Choose something in between.
Planters come in various materials: plastic, clay, ceramic, metal and fibreglass. If you’re looking for porous pots that allow air and moisture to move through the walls, opt for clay and ceramic. These may help reduce the risk of plant disease. If you’re worried about weight, plastic and fibreglass are ideal.
Tip: You can also go eco-friendly with recycled crates and coconut shells. These are easy to plant and can look incredible.
Step 3 – Select a flowering plant for your pot
Image credit: @northlodgecottagegarden
You can grow almost anything in your pot, from flowering annuals to perennials. Annuals with a long blooming season are a great choice. Consider growing sweet alyssum, zinnias, and cosmos for a summer-long blooming pot.
Annuals will only last for one year. If you want to grow a flower that blooms year after year, choose hardy perennials like lavender, sweet William, and violets, all easy and fragrant options.
Also, consider the light conditions and placement of your pot. Plant sun-loving roses and jasmine if you plan to keep your planter outdoors. Make sure to plant these in April, once the fear of frost has passed.
Indoors, you can go for peace lilies and poinsettias or lower-maintenance succulents. Keep these on a sunny windowsill.
Image credit: @im_soundarya
Step 4 – Choose the right soil
Image credit: @allotmentalice
Different plants have different soil needs. Some grow well in compost-rich soil, others prefer a well-draining coir mix. If you’re not sure about the best soil for your plant, simply go for a potting mix.
All-purpose potting mix is specifically made for growing plants in a pot. It’s lightweight, rich in nutrients, and retains moisture.
What goes into potting mix? Often, it’s made from soil, compost, perlite, vermiculite, or sand. Potting mix is also sterile, which means your plant is safe from fungal infections as well as weeds.
If you don’t want to buy a potting mix, you can also prepare your own soil, but take into account your plant’s needs. Most potted plants love a mixture of compost, coconut coir and some perlite for drainage.
Step 5 – Prepare your pot
At this point, it’s a good idea to decide where you want to place the pot. Moving a large, filled pot on your own can hurt your back. Also, make sure the pot has drainage holes. If not, you can quickly drill one at its base.
Now, clean your pot, especially if you’re reusing an old one. You can also line ceramic and clay pots with plastic liners. Doing so will keep them from cracking in colder weather and reduce moisture loss.
Sprinkle a layer of gravel in your planter, enough to cover the base. This will ensure good drainage. Then, fill the planter about two-thirds with soil. Use your hand to dig a hole in the centre of the planter where the plant will go.
Tip: To make a large pot lighter, fill the bottom third with bubble wrap or Styrofoam peanuts before adding soil.
Step 6 – Plant the flower
Little ones will love to help! Image credit: @adventures_withnoakes
Time to plant away! Remove the plant from the nursery container or plastic wrap. If the roots are tightly bound, gently loosen them with your hands. This will help the roots spread out in their new pot.
Now, place the plant in the centre of the pot. Add more soil over it and press the soil firmly around your plant. Don’t pack too much soil into the pot or the roots may not breathe or grow freely.
Leave at least an inch between the soil and the top of the container. That way, the soil won’t wash out when you water your plant.
If your plant needs support such as a bamboo cane, now’s the time to add it. Insert it gently into the soil, taking care not to damage the roots.
Step 7 – Finish with water and fertiliser
You can now give your plant a thorough drink. Water until you see it running out of the drainage hole. This will dissolve the minerals and help the soil settle in.
Use a watering can or a soft-spray hose for watering or the top layer of the soil will be washed out.
Your freshly potted plant won’t need any fertiliser but since the soil in pots loses minerals over time, you can fertilise your plant once every three months or so. Use an all-purpose liquid fertiliser. Mild, organic fertilisers are often the best.
Step 8 – Take care of your potted flower
A pot filled with cheery zinnias will brighten your garden. Image credit: @b.t.f.p
After planting your flower, you will also have to take care of it. Here are some important things to remember:
- Give the flower a few hours of sunlight every day, especially during the growing period.
- You will also have to water it frequently. As a rule of thumb, water when the top layer of the soil has become dry. This way, you won’t risk overwatering your plant.
- Remove spent blossoms to encourage new growth. Also, pick yellowing or dead foliage and prune away any leggy growth.
- Potted plants need regular feeding. You can fertilise them with compost tea or make your own fertiliser by putting eggshells and banana peels in a capped jar, adding water, and leaving them to sit for a day or two.
- Keep an eye out for pests and make sure your plant doesn’t become infested with mould or fungus. White mould on top of the soil is harmless but it can be a sign that the soil is damp, so maybe water your plant less.
Follow these few care tips all year and enjoy watching your flowering pot plant thrive.
Save this pin for later
