There are few things more frustrating than trying to figure out how to weigh down planters for your outdoor plants. But don’t despair, we have a few ingenious DIY fixes you can implement like:
filling the bottom of the pot with heavy material,
using pot stabilizers and wind breaks for your outdoor pots, or even
looking to see if you have the right sized planter for your plants.
By the end of this article, our goal is for you to happily be admiring your (independently) standing planter showcasing your beautiful plants.
Before we begin:
Whether it is for artificial plants or real plants, an unstable planter is the same – a big old pain in the behind.
However, even though the problem is one of the same, the path to the solution is very different when you are trying to make planters stand up for real plants versus artificial plants.
You have to allow for different considerations for both, and overcome unique challenges. For example, drainage is an important consideration for real plants, whereas you never need to worry about watering your artificial plants.
In this article we will address the problems of outdoor planters toppling over. If you are looking for solutions to prevent your indoor planters from falling over for artificial plants, jump over to our other article, How to Stop Artificial Plant Planters from Toppling Over.
How do you weigh down a planter?
We find the best approach to solving the case of the topsy-turvy outdoor planters is to take a leaf out of Sherlock Holmes’ book.
That means, we won’t take the approach that most other resources take, which is listing a lot of solutions leaving you with information overload and guessing which one is the right one for you.
Not a chance!
We are going to tackle this from a slightly different angle.
Before we look at solutions, we’ll be taking a step back and looking at the possible causes of your falling planter. Identifying the causes of your knocked over planters narrows down the number of solutions you have to try, increasing your chance of success.
After we have identified the cause(s), we’ll then look at specific solutions to fix your problem.
Sounds like a plan? Go grab your detective hat and pipe because we have some investigating to do.
The Case of the Fallen Planter – Identifying the Cause(s)
Is Wind Your Nemesis?
One of the main suspects in the case of your fallen planter, is wind.
However, protecting your planter against wind is extremely tricky.
Wind can be unpredictable and can approach from many directions. It is strong and can cause a lot of damage to your pots and plants.
So, how do you stop a planter from blowing over? Here are a few solutions if the wind is causing your planters to fall over:
Move your planters. If you notice your planters are located in a section of the garden that has a natural wind tunnel, moving them to a space that is sheltered will help to stabilize your plants. We have listed this solution as number one, because it is often the easiest and simplest option to take. If all else fails, you can always move them back to their original position.
Install wind breaks. If moving your plants is not an option, installing a wind break can help to redirect the wind. Wind breaks can come in the form of natural vegetation, such as low bushes, hedges and even a row of trees. Alternatively, a fence can also help to defend against any strong winds. It is important to note, you shouldn’t place your planters directly next to the wind break if it blocks your plants from receiving any sunlight.
Weigh down planters. Use heavy organic materials at the bottom of your planters to help add additional weight to your planters. This is especially helpful if you are using plastic planters, that don’t have much weight to begin with. We recommend using organic materials, such as pieces of bricks or broken clay pots. Both of these materials contain water retaining properties, which help to maintain moisture levels for your plants roots. They also prevent soil from spilling out of the drainage holes when you water your plants.
Note: it is important to use organic materials that has proper drainage. Using materials that could potentially block excess water from leaving from the planters’ drainage holes could lead to root rot. Unfortunately, excess root damage will lead to your plants becoming diseased and dying.
Were you doomed from the beginning? (Pot size)
Sometimes, no matter what you try, getting your planter to stay upright seems like an uphill battle.
But, my dear Watson, have you considered the problem may be staring you in the face?
You May Also Like:
How to Weigh Down Fake Plants
Snake Plant Problems
Can You Put Cement in Plastic Pots
Are you using the right planter for your plant?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right pot for the right plant.
First and foremost, the size of your plant needs to be proportional to your plant size. If the plant in your pot is tall, the base needs to be big and wide enough to counter the plants’ height. A common cause of planters continuously falling over is due to the plant outgrowing its original pot.
Another reason your pot may not be the right fit is the materials that the pot is made from. Plastic pots may be durable and budget-friendly. However, they also tend to be lightweight and less stable against windy conditions.
When it comes to the choice of pots, we recommend the following solutions:
Select a heavy material. Choosing planters that are made from heavy materials like concrete, wood, ceramics or even terracotta will help to add weight and anchor a potted plant against strong winds.
Go two sizes bigger. If you are thinking about repotting a tall plant, we recommend taking the growth and height of the plant into consideration and choosing a planter that is 1-2 sizes bigger than the current planter. Not only will the bigger size add to the weight of the planter, it will help to counter the height of the plant, providing more stability and lowering the center of gravity.
Last Resort Solutions to Stop Plants Falling over in the Wind
If fallen planters are keeping you up at night, and you want the security of knowing you have done everything you can for your plants, then there are some more technical solutions we can suggest:
Supporting Wires. If the situation suits, try installing horizontal wires to lend support to your wind – swept plants. Simply tie one or two wires at a level where you can attach them to the main stem (or trunks in the case of small trees) of your plants.
This method is frequently employed in nurseries and local garden center to help keep their stock upright and presented nicely (as demonstrated in the image above).
Container Stabilizers. Another solution that we love for its simplicity are the wired plant container stabilizers you can find in online marketplaces. At first glance, you may be deterred by their confusing appearance. But, once installed in your garden, you’ll soon realize they provide quite a discrete solution to your fallen planter problem. We like to call these tip-proof plant pots, because of the stability and wide base support they offer your planters.
What Next?
Why it’s elementary my dear Watson! (okay – we’ve probably over done it with the Sherlock Holmes jokes)
Finding a solution to your fallen planters is easy. Firstly, identify the most probably cause of your fallen planter by using our guide above.
Once you are confident you have found the likely suspect, begin implementing the suggested solutions for the cause.
If you are still struggling to keep your planters upright, use the last resort solutions, so you can be confident that your planters will survive and thrive.
If you have implemented a solution that we didn’t cover in this guide, let us know in the comments below or via our CONTACT PAGE. We always love sharing new and innovative ideas with the community!
You could also put some stones on top of the potting soil to provide some stability so the pot does not fall over due to wind. Another option is to place bricks or concrete blocks around the potted plant to help give support to the pot.
Wet and dry Styrofoam blocks keep floral stems securely in place. They also harmonize with filler materials to weigh down fresh and silk centerpieces. Along with floral foam, sand and pieces of brick stabilize tall arrangements. A ceramic pedestal, or similar heavy base, also balances out extra-full arrangements.
Mix 3 parts perlite, 3 parts coir, and 2 parts cement in a plastic tub. (Or 1.5:1.5:1 parts). How much you need depends on how large your pot will be. (You can have a small pot project on the side to use up the excess mix.)
Packing peanuts do a good job of allowing drainage and keeping the soil in. They also make a pot lighter and you won't need as much soil. Styrofoam cut to the shape of the bottom of the pot also works well. It allows the water to drain out but keeps the soil intact.
Stakes and trellises support plants both in containers and outdoors. Drive the stake at least 3 inches into the ground, and more for taller plants. Tie the plant to the trellis or stake with twist ties, twine, rope or plant ties.
Set up wind barriers around your garden beds by using heavy bags of potting soil, rocks, or sand. Place large buckets or cloches weighted with heavy rocks over individual plants to protect them. Large plants and shrubs may be wrapped in burlap and secured with twine.
Stakes will help anchor the plant to the ground and prevent the stem from snapping or breaking during inclement weather. A trellis can support creeping vines or climbing plants. Be sure stakes, trellises and other structures are set firmly into the ground so that the wind doesn't take them out as well.
Put the faux plant in the middle of the pot. If you approve of its placement and height, start filling in the area around the starter pot with material like mud or sand. Continue putting sand or mud in until your plant's independent and secure. You should be sure it isn't going to fall over when you walk away.
Quick water or acrylic water refers to “fake water” that is put in vases with fake flowers. The water solidifies with the flowers, so be sure to add in whatever design item you want to before the water sets.
If you're planting in a shallow pot with drainage holes, you can also secure your outdoor artificial plant directly to the planter by looping a zip tie through the drainage hole.
Yes, you can use soil when repotting artificial plants. However, the process isn't as complicated compared to potting real plants and flowers to help them grow.
Instead, you could line the bottom of the pot with some kitchen towel, newspaper, or even a bit of coffee filter paper. That'll be porous enough to allow the water to drain away (or soak through, if you're bottom watering).
“Skip the gravel inside the bottom of individual or pot liners – It is a myth that a layer of gravel (inside the bottom of an individual pot) beneath the soil improves container drainage. Instead of extra water draining immediately into the gravel, the water “perches” or gathers in the soil just above the gravel.
Styrofoam peanuts do an excellent job. Make sure they're secured within a bag to keep them stable and in place. It also makes your life easier if you decide to repot the plant. You can use styrofoam blocks also.
To protect small plants from wind and storms, cover them with cloches. To protect tall plants from wind and storms, tie them to stakes, cages, or trellises. Another option to protect plants from wind and storms is a wall of straw bales weighed down with stones.
Most damage occurs with winds above 30 miles per hour. Strong gusty winds can shred leaves, tear off flowers, break branches, and uproot shrubs and trees leaving plants susceptible to further damage from insects and disease.
When a hurricane warning is issued, bring potted plants inside a patio or garage. Strong winds can turn plant pots into missiles if you leave them in the yard. If you cannot bring everything inside, cluster them together next to the building and tie them together.
Use heavy organic materials at the bottom of your planters to help add additional weight to your planters. This is especially helpful if you are using plastic planters, that don't have much weight to begin with. We recommend using organic materials, such as pieces of bricks or broken clay pots.
An anchor plant is a taller plant, usually a tall woody shrub or a moderate to dwarf-sized tree, around which you plant your garden. These plants work as focal points within your garden or landscaping; your design will have a sense of structure and form to it.
Prepare the flower for pressing by placing it between two sheets of absorbent paper. Flatten the flower with a heavy book first, then place the paper and flowers on a small tabletop ironing board ($15, Target) then press the warm iron on top of the upper sheet of paper for 10 to 15 seconds.
If you like the height of the plant, fill the area around the starter pot with mud or sand. If you need to move the silk plant frequently, consider buying a wheeled planter or use polystyrene chunks instead of mud or sand.
Acrylic Water Resin and Hardener is a two-part resin that when added with a hardener dries and sets rock hard to become a clear block of acrylic plastic. It can give the appearance of purely natural clear water to your silk flower arrangements and other craft projects.
Although pliable and realistic, they will feel more like plastic and have a slight sheen. On the plus side, they are the most resilient option and will last the longest. Depending on your location and wear-and-tear these flowers or plants can last anywhere from 2 seasons to 5 years.
Can you put fake plants outside? Yes, you can definitely use fake plants and trees outdoors. However, not all artificial plants and trees are suited for outdoor use. Created from various materials including silk, plastic, and polyblends, there are certain foliage types which can withstand extreme weather conditions.
An artificial soil composition was produced by mixing a concentration of peat from between 10 to 30% by weight, granular soil from 10 to 30% by weight, sewage sediment from 40 to 60% by weight and pulp sludge from 25 to 45% by weight.
Slide two metal hooks through holes in the mesh or faux weave on opposite ends of the same side of the basket.Apply the Command Strips to the hooks and firmly press in place. To keep the basket from resting at a downward angle, it may be necessary to bend the ends of the hooks in.
especially to hang baskets that aren't exactly flat on the bottom and don't easily sit flat. In order to do this, thread a piece of fishing line thru the basket and tie a knot in the back. This creates a transparent loop with which to hang your basket on the Command Hook.
You can use things like twist ties, twine, rope, or plant ties to attach your plant to the trellis or stake. Some planters, like our rectangular planters, can even be fabricated to hold a trellis.
Blot the plants removing any free surface moisture. Dry the plants in an oven set to low heat (100° F) overnight. Let the plants cool in a dry environment (a Ziploc bag will keep moisture out) - in a humid environment the tissue will take up water. Once the plants have cooled weigh them on a scale.
You can use rocks, pieces of concrete or bricks, gravel, and/or pebbles. The benefit of using these types of rubble to fill your planter is that they have some weight to them. Weight can help anchor a tall planter that may be prone to tipping over.
Instead, you could line the bottom of the pot with some kitchen towel, newspaper, or even a bit of coffee filter paper. That'll be porous enough to allow the water to drain away (or soak through, if you're bottom watering).
For optimum protection, the length of the windbreak should be 11.5 times greater than the mature width. Plant the windbreak rows at a distance from the house of two to five times the mature height of the trees. For example, a tree that will grow to be 35 feet tall should be located 70 to 175 feet from the home.
SCLERENCHYMA The cells making sclerenchyma tissue are rigid and function to support the weight of a plant organ. There are two types of sclerenchyma cells: fibers and sclereids.
Breadcrumb. We plant seeds in soil, so it's reasonable to believe that plants get the materials they need for growth from the soil. But the truth is, soil contributes very little to the weight of a growing plant. Plants gain weight by turning air and water into food.
Long, green twist ties work well, as they're virtually invisible.You can also use string, garden wire, zip ties or strips of pantyhose. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure to fasten the plant to the support firmly, but leave a little wiggle room for growth.
Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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