The sound of the wind gently blowing on your potted grass, the texture, the vertical height, and even flowering when nothing else in your garden is blossoming let them readily take center stage in your outdoor setting.
Grasses in a pot will provide the visual appeal your outdoor environment needs in many ways. However, potted grass must have proper care for them to have that impact.
While it is true that grasses in pots require little maintenance, many of us still don’t know how to care for them, and we overlook the simple attention they require to refreshen our landscape in the best way possible.
Here are some ideas on how to look after grasses in pots.
Contents
Understand your grass
Before we look at strategies to care for potted grass, it is critical that you first understand your grass, how it performs, and its development patterns.
Fortunately, potted grass, like regular lawn grass, contains fibrous roots. So, be prepared for the grass to fill the pot faster than planned; therefore, make sure to have a large pot for your grass.
Grass in a pot will often grow vertically, reaching heights of 12 to 30 inches tall; therefore, account for the height to see your potted grass at its best. Planting Japanese blood grass, a gorgeous grass with red-hued blades, in a place less than 10 inches high, for example, is not a good idea because the grass grows tall, with its blades reaching a maximum height of 15 inches.
Next, you should understand your grass’s nature; some want full sunlight, while others will grow in the darkness. Don’t forget to consider your local temperature pattern; fortunately, most potted grasses are hardy, surviving in USDA zones 7 to 11, and most of them perform fairly well in winter when properly protected.
Understanding whether you have cool-season or warm-season grass is critical for understanding the seasonal behavior of your potted grass.
The golden rule for beautiful potted grass is avoiding grass that grows quickly or spreads aggressively. Instead, use clumping grasses, which have a moderate growth pattern and thrive in containers.
How to Look after Grasses in Pots
1. Watering
Watering your potted grass regularly is a vital part of caring for it, especially while it is young.
However, take care not to overwater the plant. Your watering schedule should consist of less watering regularly rather than more irrigation less frequently. Otherwise, your young potted grass will either uproot owing to a lack of solid ground to grow in or die due to root rot.
During the warmer summer months, water the potted grass first in the morning to help it withstand the heat of the day.
Throughout the day, keep an eye on the level of dryness of the soil in the pot; if it’s getting too dry, sprinkle more water on it or water it again. Seedlings will demand more water to build a healthy, robust root system.
Potted grass, unlike lawn grass, requires slow watering since forcing water through the pot quickly washes out nutrients and dirt.
Furthermore, watering carefully ensures that the plant receives adequate water and that the soil is well moistened. Remember that water in a pot dries out faster than water in the ground.
Most potted grasses are warm-season, so when winter arrives, avoid watering it since you risk damaging the roots. Otherwise, keep up with the regular watering schedule if the grass is cool-season or evergreen.
When the grass is mature and well-established, water only when the top half-inch of the soil is dry
2. Drainage
Drainage and watering go hand in hand for a healthy plant in a container. You’ve already made your grass’s life dull by placing it in a pot, so don’t suffocate it; instead, give it some breathing space.
Because the roots require both water and air, ensure your container has a mechanism to drain excess water. Add some pebbles to your pot to achieve proper drainage. The goal here is to have the gravel act as a water reservoir while still enabling water to drain through the holes in your pot without causing soil loss.
You can also achieve appropriate drainage by double potting; after the outer container is full of water, you can drain it without worrying about making a mess.
Strike a perfect balance when dealing with drainage so that your grass does not suffocate and does not lose too much water and wilt.
See also: How to tell if pampas grass is dead or dormant
3. Feeding
Fertilizing will ensure that your potted grass grows healthy and robust, but it is not required because they have a minimum nutritional requirement.
However, a little fertilizer is necessary for your attractive potted grass; however, be careful not to overfertilize, or you may end up with a burst of growth and slender blades.
A small amount of all-purpose, slow-release, well-balanced fertilizer is the best way to go. Choose a fertilizer that does not promote flowering.
Don’t apply fertilizer to the leaves; instead, make sure the fertilizer is effectively absorbed by the roots. Fertilize your potted grass in the early spring when there is new growth, but not while it is rapidly growing or stressed.
For young plants, a proper potting mix or a well-draining soil mixed with some organic matter such as compost will have your potted grass grow at its best.
See also: Do field mice eat grass?
4. Trimming
Trimming potted grass makes your lawn neat and attractive.
We already know that there are two types of grasses: cool season and warm season. However, regardless of the kind, it is ideal for trimming when the mature blades have dried up.
You should also time when new growth is about to emerge. Be cautious while cutting if you wait until new growth appears. This should take place in the early spring or late fall.
Get rid of old dried leaves and maintain your container clean.
See also: Is sod real grass
See also: Grass varieties with white seed heads
It’s incredible how potted grass can make it appear like spring when it winters. This is only feasible if you provide the grass with the necessary care.
Taking care of grasses in a pot is simple, but there are a few pointers in this article on how to look after grasses in pots that will elevate your potted grass to a higher level.
