How to Plant in Pots: 5 Easy Steps for Beginners

Planting in pots is easier than you might think! Start with a container that has drainage holes and enough room for roots to grow. Add fresh potting mix, set most plants at the same depth they grew in their nursery pots, and give them a good watering.

Whether you’re planting colorful flowers on the porch, growing vegetables and herbs on the patio, or potting a houseplant indoors, these five easy steps will help your plants get off to a healthy start.

Planting in Pots: A 5-Step Pocket Guide

Here’s the quick version! Follow these five steps to get started, then read on for more helpful planting tips.

1. Choose the Right Pot or Container

When choosing a pot, the two main things to consider are size and material.

Pot Size and Depth

Your container should give roots enough room to grow.

A pot that’s too small or shallow can limit plant growth. Larger containers hold more potting mix and moisture, but they can also be heavier and harder to move.

The right size depends on what you’re growing. Small flowers, herbs, and houseplants may thrive in modest pots, while tomatoes and other large vegetables need much more room. Root vegetables like carrots also need enough depth for their roots to develop.

Growing vegetables? Use our Vegetable Pot Size Calculator to find the recommended container size for crops, including how many plants will fit.

Pot Material

Pots come in terracotta, plastic, glazed ceramic, and stone. The material affects how quickly the potting mix dries out. Whatever you choose, make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil and root rot.

• Terracotta: These porous clay pots allow moisture to evaporate through their sides, so potting mix dries out faster. I like terracotta pots, but they may need more frequent watering during hot summer weather.
• Plastic and glazed ceramic: These pots hold moisture longer, making them good choices for thirsty flowers and vegetables. Plastic pots are usually lightweight, while glazed ceramic pots tend to be heavier.

2. Prepare the Bottom of the Pot

Believe it or not, the only thing you need in the bottom of your pot is a well-draining potting mix.

Some people think that placing rocks, gravel, or pot shards at the base of containers helps plants drain better. However, research from Washington State University shows the opposite: water tends to stay in the potting mix above these materials, making drainage worse.

I find that potting mix rarely spills out of drainage holes after I water my plants once or twice. But if you’re worried about spillage, you can cover the holes with a paper coffee filter or plastic embroidery mesh. Just make sure water can still drain freely!

3. Add the Right Potting Mix

Get your hands on a potting mix that drains well. Never use standard garden soil in containers, as it can pack down too tightly, hold excess water, and cause root rot!

Most potting mixes contain ingredients like compost, coconut coir, and perlite to help keep the mix light and well-draining. You can also make your own potting mix.

Here’s what to use for different plants:

• Flowers: Most flowers grow well in a standard, all-purpose potting mix.
• Vegetables: A standard potting mix works for most vegetables, too. Choose one intended for growing plants in containers.
• Herbs: Most herbs do well in regular potting mix, but rosemary, lavender, and thyme prefer a mix that drains especially well.
• Houseplants: Most common houseplants grow well in standard indoor potting mixes. However, orchids prefer a loose, bark-based mix, while cacti and succulents need a fast-draining mix.

4. Position Plants and Fill the Pot

Whether you’re planting flowers, vegetables, or a houseplant, the general process of moving plants from their nursery pots into new containers is much the same.

How to Arrange Flowers in a Pot

Planting several flowers in one container? Before removing them from their nursery pots, try arranging them in the planter to see how they’ll look.

Place taller flowers in the center (or toward the back if the pot will be viewed from one side), with trailing flowers near the edges. Choose plants with similar sunlight and watering needs, and leave enough room for them to grow.

How to Plant and Fill the Pot

1. Gently remove the plant from its nursery pot. Water the plant before moving it, then tip the pot on its side and carefully slide the plant out, supporting the roots and potting mix with your hand. If it sticks, squeeze the sides of a plastic pot or gently tap the bottom. Avoid pulling on the stems.
2. Check the roots. If roots are growing in tight circles around the bottom or sides, gently loosen them with your fingers. Otherwise, leave the roots and old potting mix mostly intact.
3. Position the plant and add potting mix. Add enough potting mix to the bottom of the container to position your plant at the right height. Most plants should sit at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pots. Fill around the roots and press down lightly, leaving about an inch below the rim for watering. Tomatoes are an exception! They can be planted deeper because their buried stems can grow more roots.
4. Give plants room to grow. If you’re planting several flowers, vegetables, or herbs in one container, check their spacing needs to avoid overcrowding. Planting from seed? Follow the seed packet’s directions for planting depth and spacing.
5. Add supports if needed. Plants like tomatoes and climbing flowers may need a trellis, cage, or stake. Install supports when planting, before the roots spread.

Always handle plants as carefully as possible to avoid damage. Repotting is also a good time to check for dead or damaged roots and trim them away with clean scissors or pruners.

5. Water and Finish

Every plant has its own needs, but here are some general watering and fertilizing tips to get you started.

Watering

Water plants thoroughly after planting, until water trickles through the drainage holes. Let the excess water drain away, and empty any saucers so the roots aren’t sitting in water.

Plants in pots generally dry out faster than those in the garden, so you’ll probably need to water them more often.

A good rule of thumb is to stick your finger into the potting mix. For many plants, it’s time to water when the top 1 to 2 inches feel dry. Ferns typically like more moisture, while succulents need much, much less.

Fertilizing

Plants in pots often need extra nutrients because regular watering washes some away. Both liquid and slow-release granular fertilizers work well.

If your potting mix already contains fertilizer, you can usually wait a few weeks before feeding your plants. Some mixes provide nutrients for even longer, so check the bag and follow the fertilizer directions. Too much fertilizer can harm plants!

With the right care, your potted plants will be thriving before your very eyes!

Frequently Asked Questions About Planting in Pots

How many flowers can you plant in one pot?

It depends on the size of your pot and how large the flowers will grow. Arrange the plants in their nursery pots first to see how they’ll look, and leave room for them to fill out. Choose flowers with similar sunlight and watering needs.

How do you plant flowers in a large planter?

Start with a large container that has drainage holes, and place it where you want it before filling—it can get heavy! Add potting mix, arrange your flowers, and plant them at the same depth they grew in their nursery pots. Leave about an inch below the rim for watering.

Can you plant flowers in a pot without drainage holes?

It’s best to use a pot with drainage holes. If your favorite decorative pot doesn’t have any, place a smaller nursery pot with drainage holes inside it. Just empty any water that collects in the outer pot so the roots don’t sit in water.

When is the best time to plant flowers in outdoor pots?

For most summer flowers, wait until after your area’s last spring frost. Cool-season flowers, such as pansies, can often go outside earlier. Check the plant label and your local frost dates before planting.