Growing Container Plants on South Facing Patios
How to Create a Healthy Patio Garden of Pot Plants in Full Sun
May 17, 2009
Follow these top tips for south facing patios filled with beautiful flowering plants. Choosing and preparing the right pots is just as important as feeding and watering.
Growing plants in containers in full sun on a south facing patio does not limit the choice to cacti. It does require more attention but following some general guidelines will pay off.
Growing South Facing Patio Pot Plants
- Place plants into containers or pots that match their shape. Tall plants usually need tall pots whereas wider plants, such as geraniums and roses, require lower and rounder containers that allow the roots to move sideways.
- All patio plant containers must have drainage holes either in the bottom or at the side near the bottom. If plants do not have proper drainage, the roots could rot.
- To stop the drainage holes becoming blocked with soil, place some stones over them, and then some gravel, before filing the pot with soil.
Best Plant Containers for South Facing Patios
- The best containers are pale colored for plants exposed to full sun as they absorb less heat.
- Ceramic pots really are the best choice for containers on south facing patios. They reduce evaporation from the sides and cause less stress for the plant.
- If natural terracotta containers are used, paint the inside with any dark colored paint suitable for general exterior use. This will prevent the moisture escaping.
Feeding Plants in Containers on the Patio
- Patio plants in containers need feeding throughout the growing season.
- Liquid fertilizer is quickly absorbed but the risk is, even when the plant is in full sun, rain or heavy watering could wash it away.
- Slow release granules can be mixed in with the soil and provide sufficient nutrients for the season.
- Avoid over-feeding plants in containers, particularly plants like the pretty pink Diascia personata, as that simply forces the plant to produce more leaves or flowers and makes it more vulnerable to pests as it weakens.
Watering Container Plants in Full Sun
- When watering south facing plants in containers think little and often. If the top half inch of the soil is dry, the plant usually needs more water.
- If the container is in a saucer, water into the saucer to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil. This also helps to prevent the loss of oxygen that can happen when the top soil is constantly wet. That’s when those warning yellow leaves appear. If nothing is done about it the plant will eventually die of oxygen starvation.
- Container plants on south facing patios need to be protected from evaporation. To prevent evaporation from the top of the plant container, cover with small stones, gravel or wood chips.
Emergency Treatment for South Facing Container Plants
If a plant on a south facing patio has dried out, the root ball will shrink. No matter how much water is poured onto the plant, it will simply run through and come out of the drainage holes. Place the container into a larger container that has already been half filled with water. Allow the struggling plant to expand the root ball and then the soil in the pot will gradually absorb the water.
The copyright of the article Growing Container Plants on South Facing Patios in Desert/Water-wise Gardens is owned by Elaine Walker. Permission to republish Growing Container Plants on South Facing Patios in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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