Plant something in a pot or garden

Almost every first plant that dies does so for one of two reasons: it was put somewhere with the wrong light, or it was watered too much. To plant something in a pot or garden successfully starts by looking honestly at the conditions you actually have rather than at what you would like to grow.

Why plant something in a pot or garden is worth an hour

Matching plant to conditions removes most of the difficulty at the outset, because a plant suited to your light and shelter is largely self-sufficient. Overwatering kills more houseplants than drought because waterlogged roots cannot take up oxygen, which produces symptoms that look like thirst and prompt more watering. Understanding that loop is what breaks it.

How to plant something in a pot or garden step by step

1. 1

   Assess the light honestly

   Watch the spot through a day. Most people substantially overestimate how much direct sun a place gets.

2. 2

   Choose a plant for those conditions

   Rather than choosing a plant and hoping. This one decision determines most of the outcome.

3. 3

   Check the pot has drainage

   Holes in the bottom, and not standing permanently in a saucer of water. This is non-negotiable.

4. 4

   Use proper compost, not garden soil

   Garden soil compacts in pots and drains badly. Potting compost is formulated to stay open.

5. 5

   Water by checking, not by schedule

   Push a finger into the compost. Water when the top few centimeters are dry rather than on a fixed day.

Tips to get more out of it

• Start with something forgiving. Herbs, spider plants and pothos tolerate a great deal of beginner error.
• Bigger pots dry out more slowly and are more forgiving than small ones.
• Feed during the growing season only. Plants use very little in winter and excess fertilizer damages roots.

Ways to mix it up

If you have no outdoor space at all, a windowsill herb is genuinely useful and gives quick feedback. If you have a garden, planting something perennial gives a return every year for the same hour of work.

Plant something in a pot or garden: frequently asked questions