Pot toppings

Southern Living, Jan 2003

Try using different materials as mulch to give your containers a finished look.

Potted plants are a great way to dress up your home both inside and out, but, let's face it, the containers they come in can look pretty boring. We found some creative ways to perk up those plain pots. The result? A variety of unusual mulches that look terrific and help keep your potted plants from drying out quickly. It's like the icing on the cake.

Most soil mixes are full of little white round balls called perlite, which are added to the soil for better drainage. When you water your plants, these white balls rise to the top. Cover them with ceramic tiles, seashells, or any other finds to add interest to your containers.

The Natural Touch

As an alternative to mulch, which washes away, or Spanish moss, which can be a problem when watering the plant, consider using sweet gum balls or pinecones collected from around your yard. They're free and add shape and form to your containers. Prickly sweet gum balls and pinecones can keep dogs, cats, or kids from digging around your potted plants.

Small stones such as pea gravel can also be used. Many florist shops and garden centers sell small bags of polished rocks or smooth, rounded pieces of colored glass. You can also collect rocks from around your garden or from a nearby streambed.

For an even more natural look, lay sheet moss over the soil. It's easy to work with and available at most garden centers. Often used to line hanging baskets, it's a nice topping for your pots. Bulbs look great sprouting through a carpet of moss.

Make Your Own

Brightly colored ceramic tiles are inexpensive and come in a wide range of shades to accent any pot. Broken into pieces, they work great and won't decompose or wash away. To break tiles, wrap them in a towel or rag, and tap them with a hammer. Unwrap the cloth, and set the tiles around the base of a potted plant. Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself. Use one color, or mix them together so these bright tiles complement your plants.

Another idea is to save broken terra-cotta pots. When pots crack, break them into 2- to 3-inch pieces, and reuse them as mulch. With time, the orange-brown color will become stained with green moss, giving your containers an aged look.

Create a Theme

Take the idea one step further, and create many different effects. For instance, seashells scattered across the top of a pot of tropical plants add a coastal look. If you use shells collected from the beach, be sure to wash them thoroughly. In fact, it might be a good idea to boil them in water to remove any salt, which could leach into the soil and harm plants. Other ideas include colorful marbles, glass beads, or buttons.

As these examples prove, mulch doesn't have to be boring. Use your imagination to cover your soil and perk up your potted plants.