Drainage in the planter is an absolute must. Clay pots usually have extra holes through which the water can drain. However, if you only fill the planter with soil, the aim is that the substrate thickens after a while and the liquid cannot drain off. What helps? A layer of styrofoam! Read how it works here.
Styrofoam drains excess water well
Advantages of a polystyrene drainage?
styrofoam
- allows the water to drain better
- is much lighter than a drainage made of stones
- also stores heat and protects the root ball from frost
- is available everywhere and costs next to nothing
Pay attention to what?
Distribute the Styrofoam as the bottom layer in the planter and only then add potting soil to it. How high you create the drainage layer depends on the size of your planter. Here, the higher the pot, the higher the drainage layer must be. If your plants don't have particularly deep roots, you can make transporting the bucket much easier by stacking the polystyrene layer as high as possible. Even when the material is soaked with water, it is still much lighter than a standard pebble drain.
Is styrofoam also suitable for outdoor use?
Whether on the balcony, in the house or in the garden, polystyrene is always a recommended alternative. As already mentioned in the advantages, it also has a cold-insulating effect in winter. However, it cannot replace complete frost protection for sensitive plants. Nevertheless, Styrofoam also ensures more air circulation within the bucket, since the individual crumbs do not clump together. However, please continue to ensure species-appropriate watering. Styrofoam is not a free ticket to water the plant as you please.