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Mulch has consistently been recognized as a high-value nutritious layer to the soil of your plants. It provides valuable, high-impact nutrients to the roots and insulates the seeds from the outer environment. As a devoted plant parent who wants to maximize the value of nutrition, you might wonder if you can use mulch in potted plants.
Mulch can be safely used in potted plants. Mulch is suitable for outdoor landscaping and provides maximized nutrients for insulated potted plants that need extra T.L.C. since they live aboveground. Adding mulch to potted plants will lock in moisture, regulate temperature, and make your plants visually appealing.
Potted plants give an extra layer of order and vibrancy to your garden and the interior of your home. Keep reading to learn how mulch can add vitality and strength to your plants and your overall environment.
Why Should I use Mulch in Potted Plants?
Potted Plants are not connected to the earth, making the possibility of withering higher than garden plants.
Mulch provides a protective layer of organic or inorganic material meant to nourish the roots and enhance the visual aspect of the plant bed.
There are several kinds of mulch, but organic and inorganic are the main categories.
Organic Mulch
Organic mulch is anything that naturally comes from the earth and feeds the soil. Organic mulch can refer to compost (recycled kitchen plants), pine needles, sawdust, shredded bark, woodchips, straw, and chopped leaves.
Organic mulch is excellent because decomposed organic matter is a blanket of richness for your plants to absorb.
Inorganic Mulch includes rubber, paper, and landscape geotextiles.
Natural mulch is a highly effective way of imbuing your soil with valuable nutrition. While inorganic mulch such as paper is not as popular, it still helps protects the roots from the sun, retains moisture, and regulates temperature.
To learn more about the importance of mulch, watch this video here by Home Depot.
What kind of mulch should I use for potted plants?
You should use decomposing organic material, such as grass clippings, pine needles, wood bark, leaves, and woodchips.
Additional popular organic mulch includes Tea tree mulch, leaf mulch, woodchip mulch, lucerne hay mulch, pine, and sawdust.
Because potted plants are so small, there is a higher risk of suffocating the soil and drying out the roots.
Whichever you decide, the layer of mulch should be no more than an inch and a half.
Can mulch be used in containers?
Yes, mulch can be used in containers.
When researching containers, you will notice that they are used interchangeably with the term planters.
Containers/Planters
Containers/Planters are longer (averaging about four to six feet long), rectangular, hold several species of plants, and are meant for outdoors.
Pots
Pots, by contrast, can be relatively small, with some no longer than 2 inches wide and 2 inches long.
They can carry only one plant at a time, are generally meant for indoor use, and are widely available in stores.
Because pots are smaller, be careful not to add too much mulch because it can be bad for plants. You can have too much of a good thing. Air circulation (A.K.A. oxygen) will be restricted.
Light and easily spreadable mulch are best for tiny potted plants, such as wood chips. Coco fiber mulch is also a good choice for smaller, 3-inch pots because it will hold enough water to keep everything moist but won’t drown the plant.
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are considered containers, not pots, mainly because they are meant for outdoor purposes. However, many gardening catalogs and large gardening chains such as Plow and Hearth and Gardeners Supply Company use the terms interchangeably.
Can you use mulch in potting soil?
Yes, you can. But ensure the soil has no herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides.
You should not use inorganic mulch material such as rubber or paper shreds because they are non-biodegradable.
If you want decorative mulch, ensure it only stays on top and doesn’t weigh into the soil.
Do I need to remove old mulch in pots and add a new layer?
No, you do not need to unless you feel compelled to layer the soil with fresh new mulch. However, all plant beds need to be replaced about every three years. If your plant space is hitting the three-year mark, it’s time to re-pot and re-mulch your garden.
If you insist on changing the mulch more regularly, lightly mix the soil into the mulch to prevent a thick, overbearing blockage.
When should you apply mulch to potted plants?
If you have just planted seeds, you should not apply mulch because it could suffocate the plant seeds and prevent them from growing.
Wait until the plant stem is at least 2-3 inches high (or at least until you can see the first sets of baby leaves- called cotyledons) before applying mulch.
When the plant is mature enough, you can apply the mulch. The best time to lay mulch is at the tail end of Winter or the beginning of Spring.
How do you water a potted plant with mulch?
Before watering your plants, you should separate the mulch from the base of the plant. Once the mulch is removed, water the plant until water leaks from the drainage holes. This shows the water has seeped past the root, something mulch would have prevented.
Watering on top of mulch could result in root rot and too much water retention.
In this regard, mulch can be a double-edged sword. Although it retains moisture, it can drown out your plants if you overwater them.
To prevent this, use gardening tools such as a watering wand, drip irrigation, or a soaker hose will help control the amount of water sprayed onto the plants.
Drip Irrigation- Drip irrigation might be more convenient, but remember to remove the mulch first.
The best mulch for outdoor potted plants
Although woodchips are a popular outdoor choice for potted plants, usually any mulch will do if you apply it correctly. Different kinds of mulches have other advantages, so it’s up to you to decide.
Cocoa Shell Mulch
Aside from the fantastic smell that greets you as you open the package, the shells have dual properties. Not only do they enhance the moisture of the soil, but they can absorb excess moisture to prevent sogginess and root rot.
A quick warning about cocoa shell mulch- be careful around animals, as dogs and squirrels are known to be attracted to cocoa shells.
Cedar Mulch
Cedar mulch is popular. Made from cedar bark and wood chips, it is an insect resistor and insulates warm temperatures during Winter.
Cocoa Fiber Mulch
Cocoa wins once again.
As mentioned, cocoa is an excellent absorber, eco-friendly, lasting up to three years.
The best mulch for indoor potted plants
There’s nothing like indoor plants to bring a calm, natural feeling to your home environment. While many plant lovers indiscriminately place all kinds of plants in their homes, certain species such as the Money Tree, Fiddle Leaf Fig, and Rubber Plants are popular indoor choices.
Decorative Mulch
Indoor plants mainly serve a decorative, aesthetically pleasing purpose.
If keeping a clean area is important, you can add inorganic mulch such as marbles.
This helps to prop up plants, discourage pets from disrupting the soil, retain moisture, and keep dirt from splashing out.
Popular mulch for indoor plants
- Shredded stone
- Decorative moss
- Marbles
- Decorative stones
- Clay
- Multi-colored beads
- Shells and pebbles
Alternative Indoor Mulch
If you don’t want to sacrifice beauty over your plant’s health, try these visually pleasing yet healthy alternatives to inorganic mulch.
Spanish Moss
If the name doesn’t sound sexy enough, place some over the soil of your indoor plant and behold the sleek, smooth earth tones that bring a calm aura to the area.
Living Mulch
Often interchangeably called organic or compost, living mulch technically refers to anything that gives nutrients to the soil. The decomposition from organic mulch provides valuable nutrients for indoor plants that may not get as much oxygen and sunlight.
Use a humidifier
Because indoor potted plants are cut off from their natural environment, they may be drier and will possibly slant due to lack of sunlight.
Using a humidifier would be advantageous for your plant and yourself. Humidifiers emit moisture into the air that plants can then soak up. The additional water helps strengthen the roots and leaf stems so they won’t dry and break off.
Conclusion
Woodchips, cedar, cocoa, or moss. The choice is really up to you and your specific needs. Whether you have indoor or outdoor plants, mulching is a great way to enhance the quality of life for your plants.
