Small gardens are two-edged swords. On the upside, it imbibes an intimate and peaceful feeling. However, on the downside, landscaping a small garden can be tricky and potted plants can pile up in disarray. The key here is knowing how to arrange pots in a small garden, so it looks pleasing without having to toss out any of your garden center loot.
Gardening has been a popular hobby and it certainly peaked during the pandemic lockdown. This home gardening boom got potted plants selling like hot cakes as a way for many people to pass the time and ease their stress. However, the question now is this: how can you arrange it in a small space?
Whether you’re living in an apartment or a house with limited yard space, keeping a garden in a small space isn’t easy. But in this post, we will share our gardening tips on how you can keep your potted plants organized despite the limited space.
8 Creative Ideas on How to Arrange Pots in a Small Garden
If you’re a constant lurker in garden centers, chances are your small garden is already overwhelmed with a lot of potted plants. Instead of making your garden look like a patch of wilderness on your property, you should consider trying these organizational ideas:
1. Choose the right pots
First, you have to choose the right pots for your small garden. Consider coordinating your potted plants, so they will look neat and appealing on your yard. Feel free to coordinate the colors, design, and texture of the pots to achieve the look that you like.
Aside from the appearance of the pot, you also have to check its functionality. It should have drain holes and a diameter that’s one inch bigger than your plant’s total root mass. But if your plants grow really fast, you can use a pot that’s about 4 to 5 inches wider than the roots.
For example, if you’re growing marigolds and zinnias, you need pots that are 10-inch wide. Meanwhile, veggies like collard, kale, chard, broccoli, and cauliflower need 14 to 18-inch pots to thrive.
2. Use plant racks
When it comes to limited garden space, plant racks are heaven-sent. Basically, these racks allow you to reduce the footprint of your pots without having to eliminate any of them. Overall, it’s like a shelf, but for your plants.
Plant racks come in multiple tiers, heights, and designs. You can also purchase these in different materials, including a variety of wood and metal.
The best thing about plant racks is they can also boost the appearance of your small garden. Also, it will let you appreciate the beauty of your plants more since it’s elevated from the ground.
When using plant racks, make sure that you place large and heavy ones at the bottom. This will make the rack more stable, especially if placed in an area with high foot traffic.
Meanwhile, small and trailing plants must be placed on higher levels for them to grow well. You can also use the top level of your plant rack as a succulent section if you have small cactuses and the likes.
3. Utilize plant hangers
Another way to organize potted plants in a small garden is to use plant hangers. This is the perfect choice for trailing plants like String of Hearts, pothos, Spiderwort, and Million Hearts.
Plant hangers will let you free up space in your small garden. It’s also a good way to add more character to your garden instead of having all the plants at the ground level.
Aside from that, plant hangers can be used indoors. It’s both decorative and beneficial since indoor plants help improve air quality.
Overall, you can mount plant hangers along your fence, porch, or tree branches. You can also get these hangers in different styles and materials to match your garden’s motif.
4. Match the pots with the landscape
If you want potted plants to look good in your small garden, they should complement your existing landscape. You have to select plants that match your current foliage.
For example, if you have bright flowers like purple blooms all over your garden, you may not want to add very dark plants. This is unless you group them or integrate other shades to bridge the color gap.
5. Use the pots as decoration
Plant pots can be used utilized as decors for your garden. You can get decorative plant pots available in various colors and designs. This way, your plants are not the only ones that are interesting, but also their container.
6. Organize plants at different heights
You should think of your potted plants as a sculpture. By arranging these at varying heights, you can create various textures. Also, it will make your small garden more visually appealing.
Having a variety of tall and short potted plants will also let you cover areas of your small garden. Organizing them in different heights will also give your garden a neater and more breathable look.
7. Add garden accessories
Aside from the placement of your potted plants, you can also add accessories for added visual appeal. Some good examples are wind chimes, stepping stones, lights, and small fountains. All of these will create a more laidback and calm feeling in your small garden.
However, you shouldn’t overdo garden accessories. Simply choose a focal point and place your main décor on it, like a fountain or a hammock.
8. Consider all-in-one planters
Lastly, consider all-in-one planters. Unlike pots, planters give your garden a fuller look. It’s also a great idea for small gardens since these kinds of planters allow plant grouping in a single container.
When planting multiple plants in one planter, make sure that they need almost the same amount of sunlight and water. It’s not necessary for the plants to belong to the same type.
Additional tips for maintaining a small garden
1. Go easy with additional plants
Before you bring home another plant from the garden center, think again. Ask yourself first, do I still have room for another one in my small garden?
Gardening is fun, but it’s not a good idea to hoard plants. If you do this, you won’t have enough room in your garden for your plants to grow.
2. Make it bright
A small garden will look larger if it has proper lighting. Aside from that, you should also consider variety when it comes to your plant colors.
For example, bright-colored plants will make dark corners pop. Meanwhile, cool-colored plants like blue will make your small garden feel spacious.
In addition, plants with warmer colors like dark yellow and red will add an intimate touch to your space. Don’t hesitate experiment and blend these colors to make your small garden more eye-catching.
3. Consider adding furniture
Furniture will add great value to your small garden. However, you have to be smart with your choice as garden furniture can easily take up space.
You can opt for a compact chair and table set instead of getting a bulky bench. This way, you can host a few guests while still enjoying ample space to move around your garden.
4. Don’t forget about privacy
Privacy can be an issue for small gardens since people in higher buildings can easily see your space. You can simply solve this by getting a pergola or parasol to block the direct view.
Still, you should be smart on the placement of these shades. Make sure that you won’t block ample sunlight for your plants.
5. Create zones
Compartmentalizing will let you maximize small garden space. You can create a section for your potted plants, another section for your garden furniture, and a small corner for the main décor.
This way, your small garden will look neat and organized. You’ll be surprised by how breathable your garden will be if you just know how to use your space.
Final words
Knowing how to arrange pots in a small garden will let you maximize the limited space. The ideas we shared here are just several of our personal tricks.