How To Plant Flowers In Large Planters & Bulk Flower Arrangement Ideas

Are you looking to add some vibrant color and natural beauty to your home’s outdoor space? Planting flowers in large planters is a fantastic way to do just that!

Not only does it provide a pop of color and a variety of textures, but it’s also a great way to showcase your gardening skills. With the right tools and techniques, planting flowers in large planters can be a fun and rewarding experience for any homeowner.

In this guide, we will go through the steps on how to plant flowers in large planters, from choosing the right container and soil to selecting the appropriate flowers and providing the right care and maintenance. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, our tips will help you create stunning floral arrangements that will bring joy and beauty to your outdoor space all season long. So, let’s get started!

Related article: Extra Large Pots For Trees With 9 Perfect Decor & Landscaping Ideas

How To Grow Multiple Plants In One Pot

Growing multiple plants in one pot is an excellent way to save space while creating a beautiful and cohesive display. Take these factors into consideration before you start to let your plants grow properly:

Pick The Right Spot

Choosing the right spot for your potted plants is essential to their overall health and growth. The process involves several considerations, including the plant’s light requirements, temperature preferences, ideal humidity levels, protection from wind, and accessibility. It’s crucial to assess the light conditions in the chosen location and ensure they match the plant’s needs for proper photosynthesis.

Additionally, monitoring the temperature and humidity levels is vital to provide an optimal environment for your plants to thrive. You should also consider the location’s exposure to strong winds and plan accordingly to protect your plants from damage.

Finally, it’s important to choose a location that allows easy access to your plants for regular watering and other maintenance tasks. By taking these factors into account when picking a spot for your potted plants, you can help create a healthy environment that fosters their growth and enhances their beauty.

©Charles Lane Residence / Planters Etc

Choose The Right Plant Pot

Globe Planter
©Globe Planter / Jay Scotts

When selecting a container, consider your plant’s size, growth habits, and root system. Your container should be big enough to accommodate the roots and allow them to spread out comfortably.

Additionally, make sure your container has proper drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot and other issues. You can also opt to build a self-watering container that has built-in reservoirs to maintain consistent moisture levels without overwatering.

Lastly, choose a container that complements your plant’s aesthetic and fits well in your space. By considering these factors when selecting a large container for your plant, you can create a healthy and beautiful home for different plants to thrive in. The material of the container is also essential, for outdoor usage, we highly recommend fiberglass planters because their pros incredibly outweigh other types of planters.

Read more about the 9 types of planters and learn which one is clearly the best for your garden.

Choose The Right Plants

The number and type of plants that can be grown in a large planter will depend on several factors, such as the size of the planter, the type of soil used, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the watering regimen. However, some plants and flowers that are typically suitable for growing in large containers include:

rectangle planter ideas
©Plant Parents / Planters Etc
  • Trees: Depending on the size of your planter, you might consider planting a small tree such as a fruit tree, Japanese maple, or dwarf evergreen.
  • Shrubs: Shrubs are a great option for large planters because they offer year-round interest and are relatively low maintenance. Some good choices include boxwood, holly, and barberry.
  • Perennials: Many perennials thrive in large planters, such as daylilies, hostas, and astilbe. These plants will come back year after year and provide a long-lasting burst of color.
  • Annuals: Annuals are a great way to add a pop of color to your garden every year. Some popular annuals for large planters include petunias, geraniums, and impatiens.
rectangle planter ideas
©Jay Scotts
  • Vines: If you’re looking for a plant that will climb up a trellis or other structure, consider planting a vine such as clematis, honeysuckle, or ivy. For instance, the Sweet potato vine is a great choice for a large planter, as it adds texture and visual interest with its trailing vines and colorful foliage. When choosing companion plants to pair with the sweet potato vine, consider factors such as sun exposure, soil type, and water requirements.
  • Succulents: If you live in a hot, dry climate, succulents can be a great option for your large planters. They come in a variety of shapes and colors and require very little water.

There are no actual best plants to grow in large planters since it depends on your local climate, the amount of sunlight your planter receives, and your personal preferences. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect plants to suit your needs.

Have many windows in your house? Try these 10 sun-loving houseplants.

Watch Out For Drainage Holes

When growing plants in one large pot, drainage holes are absolutely essential to ensure healthy growth.

Without drainage holes, excess water will accumulate in the bottom of the pot, leading to waterlogging and root rot.

This can be especially problematic in a large pot, where there is more soil and therefore more water retention.

Drainage hole in fiberglass planters
Drainage hole in fiberglass planter

A lack of proper drainage can cause plant roots to suffocate and ultimately die off. Additionally, standing water can create an environment for fungal growth, which can further damage or kill plants.

Proper drainage allows for excess water to escape, ensuring that plant roots have access to necessary air and oxygen. This helps to prevent problems like root rot and fungal growth, allowing plants to thrive and grow as they should. The importance of drainage holes cannot be overstated when growing plants in a large pot.

Learn how to do drainage for potted plants in 4 easy steps.

Use The Appropriate Potting Soil

best potting soil for indoor plants
Potting soil for plants

When planting live plants, a potting soil combination should be used in any/all pots. Potting soil is made specifically for planter and container planting.

It is made up of soil, humus, and peat, however, the proportions vary depending on the brand. Check the package to see if it is the suitable soil for your plant type.

Soil additives can be used to increase your soil’s quality. Perlite, for example, helps to avoid root rot. Other soil additions, such as peat moss, promote root development and help to retain moisture. Sand, on the other hand, may be utilized to promote drainage and keep your plants dry.

Elevate your gardening game with our 10 helpful tips and planting resources.

4 Perfect Flower Arrangements For Every Garden

1. Choose Your Thriller, Filler, Spiller

This is a popular technique in container gardening that involves grouping plants with different shapes and sizes to create an interesting arrangement. For example:

  • Thriller plants: A tall, upright plant that adds height and drama to the container, such as a spike plant or ornamental grass. Some of the thriller plants are Cannas, Elephant ears, and Fiddle leaf figs…
  • Filler plants: Medium-sized plants that add fullness to the container, such as petunias or geraniums. Some of the filler plants are Petunias, Alyssum, and Geraniums…
  • Spiller plants: Trailing plants that spill over the edge of the container, such as trailing ivy or sweet potato vine. Some of the spiller plants are Ivy, Trailing petunias, Wave petunias, and Sweet potato vine…

Learn these easy flower pot arrangement ideas!

©Jay Scotts

2. Play With Color Combinations

Creating a beautiful color combination between flowers and a large container can be achieved by:

how to plant flowers in large planters
©Green Ville/ Jay Scotts
  1. Determine the dominant color: Identify the dominant color of your container. This could be the color of the container itself or any patterns or designs on the container. This will help you choose flowers that complement the container.
  2. Consider contrast: Don’t be afraid to add some contrast to your arrangement. Using flowers with different colors and textures can create a visually interesting display. You can also mix in foliage or other decorative elements to enhance the visual appeal of your arrangement.
  3. Experiment: Play around with different flower combinations and arrangements until you find a look that you love. Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different colors and textures.

At Planters Etc, we store a huge inventory of plant pots, as well as 20 color options to match every design requirement. Simply take a glance at our inspiration gallery and see what works best for your home.

Related article: Best Color Combinations for Flower Pots.

3. Texture Contrast

Creating texture contrast with flowers and planters is a great way to add visual interest to your garden. This technique can be achieved by:

  • Mix different types of plants: Use plants with different textures, such as ferns, succulents, and grasses, to create a dynamic arrangement. For example, mix spiky agave with softer, leafy plants like fiddle-leaf figs.
  • Combine smooth and rough textures: Pair glossy-leaved plants with rougher-textured ones for an interesting contrast. For instance, combine a smooth-leaved snake plant with the rough, spiky leaves of a yucca plant.
Planter in front of pool
©Gregorys Greenhouse / Jay Scotts

Clueless about texture? Learn how to use plants with texture.

4. Create A Focal Point

Corry Cylinder planter livens up the corner of a room

A large, statement planter can be used to create a focal point in your garden. Choose a planter that complements your garden’s style and color scheme, and fill it with an interesting plant or combination of plants.

Large planter comes in many sizes and shapes, but large round planters such as the Corry planter are the best shape to create a solo statement. These tall planters not only add a finishing touch to any setting but also brings life to a gloomy corner of a room as well.

FAQs Growing Multiple Plants In One Pot

Can I put multiple plants in one pot?

Yes, you can put multiple plants in one pot, but it’s important to consider a few things before doing so.

First, make sure the beautiful plants you choose have similar growing requirements in terms of light, water, and soil type. If they have different needs, it may be difficult to give each plant what it needs to thrive.

Second, consider the size of the pot. Make sure it’s large enough to accommodate all the plants while leaving enough room for their roots to grow. Overcrowding can lead to stunted growth and can also increase the risk of disease and pest problems.

Finally, keep in mind that some plants are better suited for container growing than others. Look for plants that have compact root systems and don’t grow too large, such as herbs or small flowering annuals.

Round planter
©The Gates / Jay Scotts

How many plants can you put in one pot?

Selenge Low Rectangle Planter
©Selenge Low Rectangle Planter / Planters Etc

The number of plants that you can put in one pot depends on the size of the container and the size of the individual plants.

In general, it’s best to avoid overcrowding the plants, as this can lead to stunted growth and other problems.

As a rule of thumb, for small plants like herbs or annual flowers, you can usually fit several plants in a pot that is at least 6-8 inches in diameter.

For other plants that are larger, such as vegetables or shrubs, you may need a much larger pot to accommodate the plant’s root system.

It’s important to also consider the growing conditions of each plant, such as their light and water requirements, to ensure that they will thrive when planted together in the same pot.

Don’t know how to choose your large planter? Check out the ultimate guide to plant pot sizes.

What if I planted too many seeds in one pot?

If you planted too many seeds in the same container, there are a few things you can do to address the situation:

  1. Thin out the seedlings: Once the seedlings have sprouted and developed their first set of true leaves, you can thin them out by removing the weaker or smaller seedlings so that there is adequate space for the remaining seedlings to grow.
  2. Transplant the excess seedlings: If you cannot bear to discard the excess seedlings, you can transplant them to other containers or to your garden once they have developed a few sets of true leaves. Just ensure that you research the appropriate space requirements and growing conditions for each plant before transplanting.
  3. Prune the plants: In some cases, it may be possible to control the growth of the plants by pruning the excess seedlings back in order to maintain an appropriate size for the container.

Remember that overcrowding can lead to problems such as stunted growth, disease, and pest issues, so it’s important to take action if you’ve accidentally planted too many seeds in one pot.

Get The Look With Our Luxury Planters

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rectangle planter ideas
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Enhance Your Garden With Planters Etc Large Planters

rectangular planters in a front yard
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Using a luxury planter that complements the beauty of your plant is a no-brainer for your garden, and we have just that!

With over 70 models available in various colors, shapes, and sizes, Planters Etc provides the best planters to complement the beauty of your house.

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If you’re looking for gorgeous pots for these exquisite plants, simply visit our online store and save 10% on your first purchase!

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