... Gnats tend to be attracted to decaying organic matter and moisture, both of which are often found in potted plants. To do this, place one hand around the base of the plant, on top of the potted soil. Beyond the standard benefits, coconut fiber will not ruin the pH balance of your soil. Easier to weed, and less water will be required. Soil erosion is something that all gardeners have to deal with. Is it helpful to put small stones on top of the soil in potted plants? See more ideas about garden, outdoor gardens, rock garden. These are simple woven fabrics that help to support the weight of the rock above. Welcome to my website where I write about growing your own organic food in a limited space. I got these as a way to decorate some of my uglier pots. The natural decomposition process infuses the soil with nutrients that the plant will actively use to grow stronger. If your potted plants are outdoors, you may have to deal with pests with a penchant for digging. Best Mulch for Beginners — EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch. For the best results, it’s best to apply about an inch of rock material. When you mow the lawn, you can use those clippings to improve your potted plants! 2 The rocks discourage my cats from trying to uproot my plants. ), suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, need a mix of 1 part pumice to 3 parts potting soil, while a fleshier cactus, such as golden barrel (Echinocactus grusonii), can grow in a mix of 3 parts pumice to 1 part potting mix in USDA zones 9 and 10. Over time, organic mulch decomposes. Rocks don’t absorb water at all. Landscapers use rocks quite often to prevent erosion on hills. Have a pine tree on your property? You might have to check if your plant needs water differently, since you can’t see, or may not easily be able to touch the potting soil. Thus, you should treat it as landscaping rocks rather than simple soil covering. The curly texture of this moss makes it nest-like around plant stems. Lave rocks are beautiful and add some bold color to your plants. Your sections should overlap about six to eight inches for maximum coverage. That’s not always the case, so make sure that you understand the pH requirements of your plants before using rocks. Too Hot: Rocks, raise the soil temperature, leading to stressed, thirsty plants. When making a container garden, you fill pots with soil, stick in the plants, and add more soil. Now here's what I forgot when I added rocks to a pot. How to remove a plant from a pot. They create a barrier over the soil, which keeps those unwanted pathogens away from your plant. Typically made out of recycled car tires, rubber mulch is a synthetic product that lasts. Perlite bits create air pockets in the soil, allowing the soil to stay loose and drain effectively. Rocks absorb heat. And when you put a plant -- be it shrub or tree or something else entirely -- … This added heat could raise the soil temperature beyond an acceptable range. But, you could use them if you have a particularly large planter. Now that you know the benefits rocks provide, let’s take a look at some negative aspects worth thinking about. So, the soil stays light and well-draining. You can put rocks on top of soil as they do provide some benefits. In most cases, it’s not going to harm your plants in any way. ... Diatomaceous earth is a natural type of ground-up rock that is great for pest control. Sometimes soil will flush out the bottom over time, leaving the roots exposed. That is, when people ask why put rocks in potted plants, they usually have some idea that this will help with drainage. But, they may also improve the soil quality in the long run. The geotextile will take care of all the drainage and protection you need. There are many alternatives to rocks. So, they tend to stay much cooler. Succulent Sponsor. If your plant and pot are light enough to … Placing rocks on top of the soil is perfectly fine. Set potted plants on top of the rocks. They create a protective barrier. Most mulches absorb water. Any commercially-available organic mulch works. Click on this article for tips on getting rocks glued to soil off without harming the plant. Unfortunately, this puts your plant roots at risk. Sometimes, retailers will glue the rocks in place to make them easier and cleaner to transport. This problem can get especially bad if you're over-watering your plants. Be sure to replace the soil that has been removed with a fresh layer of top soil. Read on to find out more. "This common belief about gravel is actually a myth. River rocks are smooth rather than jagged. But, the smaller pebbles suit potted plants much better. In fact, it's a must for potted plants. All is fine and dandy until you wake up one morning to discover that your favorite potted plant is growing fuzzy, white mold. Aside from adding a decorative touch to your precious plants, rocks offer a handful of noteworthy benefits. If you have a smaller pot with a simple succulent, things are going to be much easier. We’ve all heard the advice to put gravel in the bottom of a plant pot, and some of us may even have done it. Larger retailers of common plants often have stock with stones glued on top of soil. The same thing happens with people who have been told about adding gravel to soil for drainage, putting wood chips in the bottom of … Image credit: proflowers.com. This article was last updated on 08/26/19. Finally, we have crushed marble and granite. Gravel is cheap, readily available, and very versatile. 1 The rocks stop the roots from being exposed when watering. A thick layer of rocks can block the sun from reaching the soil, thus preventing weed growth. With your other hand, tip over the pot so that the plant and soil slide out together. Laura Wright. Putting rocks on top of potted plants is a perfectly acceptable method to cover the soil decoratively. Messy pH: Most trees prefer acidic soil, but rocks create alkaline soil, which can hurt trees. Create cutouts for the plant stem and provide ample room for any additional growth. Most potted succulents benefit from an equal mix of pumice and potting soil. Splashing can spread pathogens, which ultimately leads to fungal growth and disease. The rocks also help provide an aesthetic look to your plants. That stuff is probably a harmless saprophytic fungus. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. You can put rocks on top of soil as they do provide some benefits. For pots of all sizes, make sure that the rocks get as close to the stem as possible. Cacti and gravel are a match made in heaven. If you have a hanging basket in full to partial sun, you can also try ice cubes. A top dressing is a decorative rock placed on the top of the soil in an arrangement. But, they won’t physically hold onto water. While it doesn’t decompose to improve soil, you don’t have to worry about replacing it. Here are some of our favorites! Once again, rocks come to the rescue! They can also keep the soil intact, preventing the rocks from getting buried. Unlike other rocks, lava rocks have tiny air pockets that keep the soil ventilated. Using a shovel, create a level surface on the soil. It might not seem like much, but even a few droplets of muddy water on the foliage of your plant can do harm. Just keep adding water as the level drops, and you have a simple, easy source of humidity for your houseplants. Mulch can keep plant roots warm in winter and cool in summer. Any advice on how to cut, and use? They’re also known to have the biggest impact on pH levels, so exercise caution before using them. Gnats like to lay their eggs in the top layer of soil of various potted plants. Accent stones, pebbles, whatever you want to call them. Hi. You can’t go wrong with organic mulch. Dropping a bunch of rocks into a plant pot would, therefore, seem to be the perfect solution for keeping our potting soils from becoming too wet and boggy. Rocks don’t decompose at all, so they’re not improving the soil quality in any way. If so, you probably have tons of pine needles just sitting in your yard. Ever touch a rock that’s been sitting in the sun all day? They’re beautiful stones that have a lot of shimmer and detail. Peat moss and sphagnum moss are great alternatives to rocks. Printer Friendly Version. Mulch can help keep pathways in beds clear of debris and mud. As I’m learning more about raising plants in containers, I came across this idea of using rocks on top of the potting soil. Rocks can work wonders to keep weeds under control. I’ve also written my research on how you can use the rocks and what alternatives you have like mulch or rubber. But, it’s not as easy as simply plopping the rocks down and calling it a day. Put a few ice cubes on top of the soil and walk away. Using rocks for your potted plants is simple. Like pebbles, gravel pieces are very small. Keep it clean. Mulch helps to protect the top soil and holds in moisture. The tiny stones are reminiscent of the … Rocks can effectively stop splashing. This isn’t always necessary, as the weight of the rocks should keep the fabric down in the small area. Plus, it serves as a natural filter to deter odor-causing bacteria. This will be a thinner layer than the first, allowing the tops of the rocks to show through. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. When it finally does, you can enrich your soil with beneficial nutrients. Typically, gravel mixes contain a mixture of different rock fragments. Just a few stones set on the “seams” of the moss to hold the ends in place. They can slow the rate of evaporation to keep the soil moist. You don’t have to make the layer of rocks super thick. Problems with Fungus Gnats and Potting Soil. Many plants prefer an acidic growth environment. Before you start adding rocks to your potting soil, you do need to be aware of the disadvantages of doing so. You’ll need to use a geotextile fabric. In colder climates, it can also keep soil temperatures in a good range. Once that’s done, you can add your rocks. White, Fuzzy Growth in Potted Plants . Best of all, the material doesn’t compact as it decomposes. Most of the rocks you would use for this type of application are on the alkali side of the pH scale. Everything from harsh winds to frequent waterings can make the topsoil disappear. If you do use rocks in your potted plants, make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. Is this really necessary? It’s a popular material in gardening. Jun 25 2017. Pesky weeds are highly opportunistic and will grow anywhere there is room. Apply only an inch or two of clippings to get the best results. Kill the eggs and larvae before they develop into adult gnats. As a result, rocks have the potential to raise the pH level of the soil. It has a near-neutral pH level even when decomposing. I have some succulents in pots ( small, medium, sized) and 3 dwarf citrus in large pots. The main purpose of placing pebbles on the bottom of the potted succulent plant is to enhance drainage. River pebbles are a favorite among gardeners. Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. Many landscapers utilize synthetic fabrics as a final layer of protection against erosion as well. Thinking about topping the soil in your potted plants with some rocks? Return of the Weeds: Wind will eventually blow soil between rocks, creating a spot for weeds to grow. This ensures that the soil is completely covered and secure in place. Now, fast forward another year, and I’m researching gnat insect infestations online (I have SO much time in my life to do this, by the way) and finding out that this is a very common problem with Miracle-Gro, as evidenced in this stream of negative reviews on their website. But, they’re not your only options. Those with thin leaves such as stonecrop (Sedum spp. You are completely incorrect in your article. If herbs or a fruit tree are to be showcased in an attractive pot that does not have drainage holes, the plant needs to be double-potted (Figure 18–7). The same benefits apply when you use them on your potted plants. One rock to cover the drainage hole is enough – just enough so that the soil doesn’t leach out of the bottom but water can flow freely through the pot. They can protect the soil. Read more about General Houseplant Care. Succulents and cacti naturally grow in sandy soils that drain quickly. The charcoal assists in draining, absorbs excess moisture, conditions the soil and adds nutrients for plant roots. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As the name would imply, this is an all-natural product that will decompose with time. But, they will not improve the soil like organic mulch. Sometimes she will use beautiful dried Spanish moss, which is grey and usually needs no additional adornment. Grass clippings are particularly beneficial to vegetable plants. I have a terribly black thumb but I hope to work on that and keep some plants alive. This simple addition will take your succulents to a whole new level! You can even use aquarium gravel to add a touch of color to your potted plants! Come closer and I will tell you my secret to pretty house plants.River rocks! No matter what type of decorative rock you use, it’s going to behave differently than mulch. The reasons for this vary, but the practice can be damaging to the plant in the long term. The rocks glued to the top of the pot are acting partially as a mulch. Here are some tricks to container gardening outdoors that’ll help you grow healthy vegetables and … Like organic mulch, grass clippings break down to improve soil quality. Moss is excellent for conserving moisture. They will protect your plants from weeds, keep pests out, prevent soil erosion, avoid splashing soil on the foliage, and prevent fungal diseases. I just bought a basil potted plant. But, they break down faster because the ends are already dead. The rocks come from actual volcanic lava. Answer + 3. They provide the same benefits. The biggest disadvantage is that rocks don’t provide much health benefits for your plant. In general, it’s not necessary to put rocks in the bottom of plant pots. Fine Gardening: Echinocactus Grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus, Mother-in-law's Cushion), University of California Extension Alameda County Master Gardeners: Succulent Care. These rocks can be sharp. You can easily use them for your potted plants. Reed was editor of the "Grand Ledge Independent" weekly newspaper and a Capitol Hill reporter for the national newsletter "Corporate & Foundation Grants Alert." Apr 4, 2018 - i have a LARGE flower bed that i want to turn into a container garden with a rock garden running through it. Worried, you run to Google, type in "moldy potting soil," and end up here. They can start popping up in potted plants, too. If you need additional security, you can use fasteners or landscaping tins. You'll find useful information here whether you're growing vegetables in an apartment, patio, or a raised bed. That said, there are a few pros and cons you might want to mull over before you decide to use them. Put a fabric softener sheet on top of the soil to repel the gnats. Sure, they can prevent soil erosion, reduce fungus, and block weeds. In fact, putting gravel in pots can do more harm than good. Perlite can be purchased on its own for addition to your preferred planting mixture. Marble and granite chips come from the same stuff that’s on your kitchen countertops! The rocks also help provide an aesthetic look to your plants. Otherwise the succulent may become waterlogged and develop root rot. Yet, the rocks won’t prevent water and sun from feeding the existing plant. One of my favorite discoveries in regard to designing with succulents is the use of top dressings . You have several different types of rocks to choose from. They provide many similar benefits as standard mulch, but you don’t have to worry about mulch-based fungus. Crocking was supposed to encourage water to pass down from the potting mix into the gaps in the coarse layer below and out through the drainage hole. Previous Next > Now, larger pots require a bit more work. In this case, all you have to do is remove any weeds and debris. It also doesn’t attract pests, which is a huge plus for outdoor pots. They work wonders! This EZ … No Benefit to Plants: Rocks don’t aid plant growth or soil health. You can find it in the form of hanging containers, rolls, or even mulch. She has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University, is an avid gardener and volunteers at her local botanical garden. I hadn’t thought of putting rocks on top of soil before. Never put a layer of gravel or rocks in the bottom of a container beneath the potting mix in an effort to improve drainage. For indoor plants, LeAnn often combines sheet moss with glossy black or white stones. In gardening, lava rocks are perfect for succulents and other drought-resistant plants. Crushed volcanic rock, a lightweight material called pumice, is typically used to improve drainage when potting succulents. Small rocks and pebbles certainly improve the look of your potted plants. Here are the biggest. I was curious and did my research whether doing this is beneficial to my potted plants. Dig up this top layer--generally about one inch down--and dispose of it. Also known as Coir, coconut fiber is the stringy material that comes off of coconut husks. Squirrels may try to dig, but they’ll stop once they realize that it’s easier to look elsewhere. Squirrels are notorious for hiding their cache of nuts and seeds in potting soil. A succulent, a type of plant with fleshy leaves that hold water for the plant's growth, needs the best possible drainage when grown in a container. All they need is some moisture and sunlight. By Charlie Nardozzi, The Editors of the National Gardening Association . However, they work on virtually any plant. While that’s good for keeping the soil moist, it also makes the garden a breeding ground for fungi in many climates. After leveling the soil, lay sections of geotextile fabric all the way to the edges of the pot. I'm Kevin, your friendly neighborhood gardener. 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