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Gravel or no Gravel for Plants

A layer of gravel at the bottom of a planting container was recommended for decades, even in published books about container plants. That erroneous advice may lead to root damage in plants. When gravel is at the bottom of a pot, it takes up room that otherwise soil would fill, making the pot much smaller for its plant. Water does not pass through a gravel layer at a container’s bottom as quickly as it passes through soil. The pot’s soil becomes saturated before water moves out of it and into the gravel, which is a situation that could kill the plant growing in the pot. Gravel also adds unnecessary weight to a plant container because it is heavier than most lightweight potting soils.

I did not know this. I have always used gravel for my indoor plants. Looks like I need to rethink this idea.

Photo ©CarolDM2018

  • Do you use gravel for drainage in your container plants?

    • Yes
    • No
    • I have no container plants.

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Written by Carol DM

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