1. Growing of Plants in Pots
Dr Prativa Anand
Scientist
Division of Floriculture and Landscaping
ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
2. ØPot plants are excellent for interior decoration and are used for
beautification of campuses, verandahs, meeting places and the places
used for private and public functions.
ØCheapest source of in-house greenery and can be handled and
transferred from one place to another with ease.
3. Container
ØPots can be separately chosen to suit individual plant.
ØPots are available in various sizes and shapes.
ØPlastic, non-porous pots are ideal for plants which flourish in moist compost.
ØLess frequent watering is required as compared to clay pots.
ØAll pots should have drainage hole at bottom and should be kept on plastic or glazed
ceramic saucer to collect water and protect the surface underneath.
ØWhen a plant appears to be pot-bound it should be repotted in late spring or early rains.
4. ØThe container with plant can be placed in another larger and more
attractive container.
ØPot stands of different designs and sizes are made of iron, cane or even
bamboo are excellent plant supports.
5. Potting Media
ØThe potting medium needs to supply plants with a means of support, good
drainage, adequate air circulation and capable of retaining water and nutrients.
ØMineral-based soils are not recommended for container plants.
ØPackaged potting mediums have been developed specifically to fulfill the needs
of containerized plants.
ØGrowing media labelled as potting soils are often a mixture of organic and
inorganic materials and may include peat moss, bark, sand, compost and
vermiculite.
ØThey may or not be sterilized.
6. ØHeavy mixes that do contain some sand or mineral soil are especially
suitable for large or top-heavy houseplants.
ØSoilless mixes do not contain any soil mineral particles (i.e. sand, silt or
clay).
ØSometimes they are called peat-lite mixes.
ØExtremely light weight, moisture and nutrient retentive and usually
sterilized.
ØThey can be used for almost all containerized plants, indoor or outside.
8. ØSometimes potting soils or soilless mixes are modified further to meet the
growing requirements of certain plants.
ØNutrient requirement can be met with either organic or synthetic fertilizers.
ØpH of the growing medium need to be monitored and adjusted.
ØSoilless media are generally kept at a pH of 5-6 while the mixes that
contain soil are best maintained at a pH ranging from 6-6.5.
9. Typical ingredients in a potting mix may include
ØPeat moss
ØSphagnum moss
ØBark products
ØPerlite
ØVermiculite
ØWater retention crystals
ØCoarse sand
10. Choice of Plants
ØRight plant at right place.
ØOne kind of plant per pot.
Preparation of Pots
ØBefore filling large pots place them where they will ultimately go.
ØShard of broken pot over the hole(s) in the bottom of empty pot.
Potting the plant
ØRemove the plant from its nursery container. Set the plant on top of the mix. Pat
gently to eliminate air pockets. Water the container.
11. Watering
ØIf planting is done in spring and weather is mild, once a week watering is
required.
ØSummer- Hanging plants and small pots may need watering twice a day. Once a
day is enough for large plants.
ØBest way of watering the pot plants is with the help of a hose or a can fitted with a
hose.
12. Feeding
ØPlants growing in containers need more fertilizing than those in the
ground.
ØIt can be done by liquid manuring or top-dressing at regular intervals.
ØIn case of top-dressing, top 2-5 cm of topsoil is removed by scrapping and
fresh compost is replenished in its place. This operation should be
repeated once in 3-4 months.
ØTop hard surface of the soil of pot is forked occasionally to a depth of
about 2 cm to facilitate aeration and penetration of water.
13. Deadheading
ØPinching or cutting off faded blooms, known as deadheading is essential. It
encourages a plant to keep producing more flowers.
ØFor plants with tiny flowers and stems, shear the whole plant back to about
one-third of its size.
Repotting
ØIf the plants are getting oversized for the pot or the soil has become old
and the roots are seen to wind round the side of the pot it is desirable to do
repotting.
14. General Precautions in Potting and Repotting
ØThe size of the pots should not be too large or too small.
ØPlants in the pots should not be planted too deep or too shallow.
ØImmediately after potting plants should be shifted to a shaded place for
proper root establishment and gradually the period of sun exposure should
be increased.
15. Some Container Flowers for Sun
ØAfrican daisy
ØDahlia
ØVerbena
ØZinnia
ØTuberous begonia
17. Colourful Foliage Plants for Sun and Shade
ØCaladium (shade)
ØColeus (sun and shade, depending on variety)
ØCanna (full sun to partial shade)
ØFerns (filtered sun to shade)
ØOrnamental grass (various types, full sun)
