Plant Watering Tip for Full Pots and Unique Plant Stands

Several years ago I purchased a plant stand that’s become quite the conversation piece on my deck.  This plant stand (really a base with a tall stem)  allows me to stack five clay pots on top of each other to make a tilting flower tower!   (right)

In fact, it was such a hit, I ended up buying one for my mother and one for my sister.  Another unique garden gift!  We’ve affectionately named them our “drunken pots!”

My sister sent me a picture of her drunken pots a couple of weeks ago but I’m sure those plants have tripled in size by now.  (left)   Using a variety of plant selections makes each tower look unique and showy.  Early in the spring, our frequent rainfall did a great job of watering the plants for a strong start.

I love experimenting with different plant combinations each year and seeing what works best in the tower.   The same design principles still apply as with any container planting – include some plants that grow up, some that grow out, and others that grow down.  Because the “growing up” component is already inherent in the plant stand itself, it’s important to balance the tower with several cascading plants that drape to the ground.

We really enjoy planting and comparing our drunken pots.  BUT, it can be a pain to water the plants - especially when you put too much potting mix in the tilting pots like I did this year.  I don’t know what I was thinking!  Now I try to use a very light shower spray from my hose or a slow drip from my watering can but inevitably there is always overflow which ends up in a puddle of dirt on the deck below.  Finally, this week I remembered an old trick for slowly watering pots and planters …

While good drainage is key in any pot or planter, plants don’t get the time they need to soak up a good drink when the water drains too quickly or runs over the top! Certainly a BIG problem during really hot, windy weather or with odd shaped (or tilting!) pots. WATERING TIP: Use ice cubes! As the ice cubes melt, plants will get the gradual, healthy drink they need!