You want your tropical container to look lush, just like a jungle. So choose a container large enough to be proportionate to the size of your plants. Just remember: the larger the container, the lighter it needs to be. I suggest buying one made out of plastic or a molded foam material. This will make moving your container easier. Your container must have a drainage hole, and here's a trick to help with watering: fill the bottom with empty aluminum cans instead of stones. The cans will help to keep the container light and provide additional drainage for the plants.
Next, fill the container about two-thirds with a fresh bag of high-quality commercial potting soil. Commercial potting soil is sterilized and contains just the right amount of nutrients for tropical plants.
Now it's time to plant . If you're using some of your houseplants, be sure to shake off the old potting soil before planting them in the new container. For height, use a palm and a species of canna, and plant in the center. Cannas make great tropical additions and provide interesting blooms and foliage. Anthrium makes a great choice for medium-height plants. Add pothos vines in the front to grow over the sides. Finish off your container with a layer of Spanish moss to help keep the soil moist.
For a final tropical touch, give your container a thorough drenching, leaves and all! The plants will love it!
So here are the DIY Basics for starting your own tropical container garden:
- Use some of your own houseplants in the container design. They will love spending the summer outdoors!
- Tropical plants don't need a lot of fertilizer. Choose a high-quality potting soil to use instead.
- Keep the soil evenly moist and mist the foliage frequently.
