April 15, 2025, 2:23 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Container plants bring a Mediterranean or even tropical flair to balconies and terraces, depending on the type of plant. Palms, oleander, or lemon trees have specific care requirements due to their pot habitat. myHOMEBOOK summarizes common mistakes with container plants.
They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors: containers or large pots for plants in our green living room. The material can also vary greatly. Containers are typically made from concrete, clay, or even plastic, each offering different advantages and disadvantages. While plastic containers are lighter and usually don’t crack in winter, clay pots provide a better moisture balance due to their porous structure and simply look nicer. Concrete containers, on the other hand, are more suitable for permanent outdoor use. But what mistakes can be made with container plants, regardless of the container material?
Overview
Common Mistakes with Container Plants
Incorrect Watering
Beginners with container plants often assume: More is better. However, most container plants don’t need water every day. Depending on pot size, substrate, and plant type, the water requirement can vary greatly. Overwatering can lead to waterlogging and root rot, which is often worse than a few days of dryness in the container. To check if the container plant really needs water, a simple trick helps: Insert a finger four to five centimeters into the soil to see if the soil beneath the top layer is dry. Only then is watering necessary. And on hot and dry days, a little more water is certainly allowed.
No Drainage
A common mistake with container plants is also a lack of or poor drainage. This problem often goes hand in hand with incorrect watering. If overwatered and the water cannot drain well, waterlogging in the container is inevitable. Unfortunately, many plants we bring home from the hardware store also lack drainage. Therefore, repotting soon after purchase is definitely advisable. For good drainage—a layer through which excess water can drain well—various materials are suitable:
- Clay shards
- Expanded clay
- Coarse gravel
- Ready-made drainage inserts made of plastic
- Sand
Wrong Pot Size
This mistake occurs more often than one might think. In fact, most plants come home from the plant market in a pot that’s too small. But fast-growing container plants often outgrow their containers before we notice. It helps to occasionally lift the plant with its root ball out of the pot to check how dense the root system is against the pot’s interior. Roots growing out of the drainage hole are also a clear sign: A new pot is needed. However, the new container shouldn’t be too large either. Because the larger amount of soil surrounding the plant stores more water, which can quickly be too much for many plant types. As a rule of thumb: When repotting, choose a pot that is two to four centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one.
Incorrect Winter Quarters
Mediterranean or even tropical plants have no place on the balcony in winter. By October at the latest, they should move to suitable winter quarters. Most plants prefer it cool in winter, but not frosty. Those with a bright garden shed with light insulation, an unheated hallway, or a greenhouse can overwinter their plant protégés there. It’s important not to forget watering here, even though the required amount is significantly less in winter. Additionally, citrus and tropical plants are susceptible to pests in winter quarters and should be regularly checked for them.
The Right Container Plant for Your Needs
“Garden expert or more of a plant novice? Depending on your experience level, the right container plant should end up on the balcony. Almost anyone can manage an oleander if it gets enough water. But if you tend to forget watering, consider succulents like aloe vera and others that can green the balcony water-efficiently in summer and move indoors in winter. Conversely, container plant pros can try lemon trees or palms. At least as long as there are enough sunny hours on the balcony.”