Tips for Drought Tolerant Outdoor Container Arrangements

Water can becoming very scarce during the summer. Depending on where you live there may even be enforced regulations on when and how much water you can use.

Outdoor containers naturally require more water than bedding plants because roots that are more confined soak up water faster. The soil temperature is also usually warmer in containers and causes water to evaporate rapidly.

You can reduce the amount of water you need to keep your containers healthy by following a few simple tips and planting plants that require less water.

Preparing Your Container

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden suggests improving the potting medium so that it requires less water. Hydrogels are water retaining polymers that hold water and release it slowly near the plant’s roots. Mycorrhizal fungi work with the plant’s roots to make them more efficient at taking up water. Both products are available from commercial garden retailers.

Using a few inches of mulch can significantly reduce the soil temperature and prevent water from evaporating out of the top of the container. Mulch can also reduce the amount of heat that is reflected onto the plant that causes extra stress on the plant.

Choosing Plants

Next choose plants and flowers that require less water for areas that are hot, sunny and prone to drought.

Zinnia angustifolia is recommended by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They are a great choice for containers because they bloom prolifically and require little water to thrive. They produce blossoms in bright white and orange with yellow-orange centers. These plants grow between 8 and 12 inches tall.

Birds and Blooms suggests moss rose as a drought resistant annual. Moss rose grows only 4 to 8 inches tall. It trails near the surface of the soil and produces bright flowers throughout the summer. This plant would be an excellent flowering border for a large container.

Dusty Miller is a beautiful silvery foliage plant. Its silver-white, fuzzy looking leaves will make a perfect backdrop for a variety of flowering plants. Dusty miller also has a very intricate and attractive shape to its leaves. Bloom IQ informs that dusty miller grows up to 10 inches tall and only requires a weekly watering during dry periods.

Ornamental grasses in general make good drought resistant container plants. Many are native to North American climates and well adapted to typical summer conditions. They are also a very attractive focal piece in a container. Most ornamental grasses are very tall and will bring height to an outdoor container arrangement. Brooklyn Botanic Garden suggests the copper colored varieties of fountain grass for a beautiful container centerpiece that does not require much water. Big blue stem is also a native grass that grows up to 6 feet tall. It has a bluish hue that turns to reddish purple in the fall.

Crafting A Successful Arrangement

These are just a few options for colorful, outdoor container arrangements. Consider an outdoor container from NewPro Container’s outdoor collection. Some options come with sub-irrigation systems to make watering simple.

Remember to pair plants that have similar care requirements such as water needs and shade/sun tolerance. A little forethought can help you prepare a container that will be successful without hoarding too much water. What are your favorite drought resistant container plants?

Photo “Zinnia angustifolia” courtesy of Tanaka Juuyoh

Photo “Moss Rose” courtesy of Janeyhenning

Photo “Red Fountain Grass” courtesy of Clyde Robinson