You can make drought resistant container plants by choosing the right pots, soil, and plant types for your situation. Containers dry out faster than garden beds because they have limited soil and exposed sides. The good news is you can use several tricks to cut your watering time by half or more. I have tested these strategies on my own patio and they work great for busy gardeners.
Picking water-wise potted plants starts with choosing species that handle dry conditions well. Sedum, lavender, agave, and grasses all thrive in containers with little watering from you. These plants evolved to store water or use it slowly over time. They do better with some dry periods between waterings in your pots.
I struggled with container plants drying out every day during my first summer of patio gardening. My petunias and impatiens needed water twice daily in the heat and still looked sad most of the time. The next year I switched to sedums and lavenders that needed water only twice per week even in hot weather. My patio looked better with less work from me.
Container size matters more than most gardeners know for container gardening dry climate success. Larger pots hold more soil and more water for your plants to use. A 14 inch (35 cm) pot holds four times as much soil as a 7 inch (18 cm) pot. Go bigger and your plants will need water less often in summer heat.
Your pot material affects how fast soil dries out in your containers on the patio. Terracotta breathes and dries faster, which suits drought tolerant pots with plants that hate wet roots. Glazed ceramic and plastic hold moisture longer and work better for plants that need more water. Match your pot to your plant's needs and you will have fewer problems.
Adding the right soil mix helps your drought resistant container plants thrive in their pots. Mix perlite or pumice into your potting soil to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Use about one part perlite to three parts potting mix for most drought plants in your containers. This keeps roots healthy even if you forget to water for a few days.
Mulching the soil surface in your pots cuts evaporation and keeps roots cooler in summer heat. Use pebbles, gravel, or bark chips to cover exposed soil around your plants. A 1 inch (2.5 cm) layer makes a big difference in how fast your containers dry out. This simple trick can extend the time between waterings by a day or more each week.
Where you place your containers matters as much as what you put in them for success. Full sun spots dry out fastest and need the toughest drought plants to survive the heat. Afternoon shade gives your plants a break from the hottest part of the day. Group your pots together so they shade each other and create a more humid area around them.
My drought tolerant pots now need water only every three to four days even in summer heat. I use large glazed pots with sedum and lavender mulched with pebbles on my sunny patio. They look beautiful all season with just a fraction of the care my old annuals needed from me. You can enjoy container gardening without being a slave to your watering can.
Read the full article: Top 10 Drought Resistant Plants for Gardens
