There’s a right way and a wrong way to pot a container to ensure it is as lush as possible for as long as possible. Follow these guidelines to pot up a lush and beautiful container.

1. Know your area

The first step to a successful container is to know, or at least have an idea, what area you intend to place it in. Not all plants have the same requirements for sun and shade.

2. Pick your plants

Pick your plants based on their needs. Take into account where the container will be and how much time you can truly give to care and maintenance. Some plants require little to no maintenance, while others take on the components of an “it’s complicated” relationship. Take into account complementary colors and foliage. To learn more about how colors work, read Designing With Bold Colors.

3. Pick a planter

Steps 2 and 3 can be reversed if you happen to fall in love with a planter that you just have to have. You can also take into account the surroundings when deciding on your plant and container color scheme. If the wall where you intend to place the planter is bright blue, then a red or orange container will pop. If, however, the planter is supposed to take second billing to your plants, a nice hypertufa or terra-cotta planter works well. Learn about using containers as focal points, or how to make your own hypertufa pot.

4. Cover the drainage holes

Now that you have your plants and container, you may be thinking, “Full steam ahead!” But before you start planting anything, cover the drainage holes with a mesh screen to prevent them from clogging and to keep soil from washing through onto your patio or deck.

5. Fill the pot with soil

Fill the pot up to a few inches from the top using a top-quality, all-purpose potting mix. This will leave room for the bulk of your plants’ existing root balls and soil. Add more soil if your plants are in small nursery pots. Read Potting Soil Mixes for more information on how to make great soil.

6. Add slow-release fertilizer

Add slow-release fertilizer to the top of the soil. Using your fingers or a trowel, thoroughly and evenly work the fertilizer into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Pack the soil and fertilizer mixture gently into the container with your hands, making sure there are no voids.

7. Plant large plants first

Plant large plants first, adding smaller plants as you move out toward the edges of the pot. Fill in with soil as you go, making sure not to cover the tops of the roots with more than half an inch of soil.

8. Water the container slowly

Water slowly to allow the dirt to settle around the plant roots. This helps establish good structure around the plant and gives it support for the future. You also can see if you need to add more dirt. Giving plants a good drink when you first transplant them also helps to cut down on stress.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

Buy at Amazon

The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 30th Anniversary Edition

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Since its original publication in 1989, The New Organic Grower has been one of the most important farming books available, with pioneer Eliot Coleman leading the charge in the organic movement in the United States. Now fully illustrated and updated, this 30th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any agricultural library.

Buy at Amazon

Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.

Buy at Amazon