Alliums tend to grow really well in pots, if you have a smaller garden or a balcony I highly recommend growing them in pots. No matter how large or small the Alliums are they will grow well in pots as long as you keep in mind their requirements. Usually, it is a good idea to grow a couple of Alliums in pots if you have one or two of a type of Alliums that are on the more expensive side, this way you can keep a closer eye on them.
To grow Alliums in pots, use a high-quality peat-free general-purpose potting compost. Alternatively, you can create a custom potting mix by combining equal parts of John Innes No. 3, peat-free multi-purpose compost, and horticultural grit. Placing the pots of alliums behind other containers can help conceal the fading foliage, maintaining an attractive display in your garden.
If you are looking for the ideal pot for Alliums then my personal recommendation is to use a sleek bulb pan that is made out of terra cotta Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
Although growing Alliums in pots is relatively easy, but it is not as popular as growing Dahlias in pots for example. The main reason for this is due to the Allium leaves, which do not look that good and also tend to be rather large. When people grow Alliums in their gardens they usually tend to place them behind some other plants which cover their leaves. On the other hand, you can always grow Alliums with companion plants as well in the same pot.
As a general rule, no matter if you grow your Alliums in pots or in the garden you should more or less do the same steps, although you have to pay more attention when it comes to growing them in pots as they tend to need more water and fertilizer then if you would grow them in the soil. If you want to know what to do with Alliums after they have flowered then check out my recent article What To Do With Alliums After Flowering? ( Top 6 Chores ).
Grow Alliums In Pots
Growing alliums in pots is a fantastic way to enjoy their unique and beautiful blooms even in small spaces. To successfully grow alliums in pots, start by selecting a large and sturdy container with good drainage holes. Fill the pot with well-draining potting soil mixed with some compost for added nutrients. Plant the allium bulbs at a depth of about three times their own size, spacing them adequately to allow for growth. Place the pot in a location that receives full sun, as alliums thrive in bright light.
Water the alliums regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Remember to fertilize them occasionally with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to support healthy growth. As the alliums bloom, you’ll be delighted by the tall stalks adorned with eye-catching spherical flower clusters.
Choosing The Right Pot
While most people simply use what they have around their home, you should be really careful when it comes to what kind of pot you use for your Alliums. The best pots for Alliums are clay pots, as they allow air to circulate around the bulb and the roots which protects the plant from bulb and root rot. In addition to this, clay pots tend to be a lot cooler than metal or plastic pots as they do not absorb heat that well.
You can still plant Alliums in plastic containers, but you will have to water them more regularly, as plastic pots can turn into an oven if under direct sun. The larger the Allium bulbs are the larger the pots should be, and make sure to plant the bulbs in such a way that they do not actually come in direct contact with the edge of the pot. If your Alliums tend to be rather short then check out my recent article Why Are My Alliums Short? ( Top 6 Reasons ).
Use A Well Draining Potting Mix
It is extremely important to use a well-draining potting mix when planting Alliums in pots. You should not use soil from your garden as it may contain parasites, and it could contain a lot of clay which drains water fairly poorly. For the most part, multipurpose compost will do fine for Alliums, as they tend to have the necessary nutrients which are vital for the bulbs. Try to avoid at all costs using old potting mixes left from other plants, as these tend to lack nutrients.
Plant The Alliums Bulbs Correctly
As a general rule, you should plant your Allium bulbs 3x times deeper than the height of the bulbs. Make sure to have the pointy side up and the side with the roots down. Water the Allium bulbs right after you have planted them, and you should see in a couple of weeks the Allium shoots come up. You can plant Allium bulbs in clumps of up to 15 or single bulbs, although this really depends on the type of Alliums and how large the pot actually is.
Choose A Full Sun Location
Alliums need full sun in order to grow strong and healthy, so make sure to choose a full sun location even if you grow them in pots as well. You can grow Alliums indoors in pots, just make sure to place them next to a window that gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sun. If you see your potted Alliums growing tall and weak, or they start to droop then try to reposition them into another area and see how they grow.
Ideally, you should place the potted Alliums in the garden next to a wall, this way they will be sheltered from the winds. If your area tends to get a lot of storms or strong winds, then you should stake the flower stems, as they tend to break if the winds are too strong.
Watering Potted Alliums
Alliums are considered to be somewhat drought tolerant, although this is mostly true for established plants. So if you have planted the Alliums in pots just a few weeks or months ago then you really need to keep up with watering them. There is no magic number on how often your should water potted Alliums, instead, you should stick your finger in the soil and if the top inch is still moist then you can skip watering them for a couple of more days.
If you see your Alliums drooping then you should still check the soil if it is most, as drooping can be caused both by too much and too little water as well. For more information about Alliums drooping check out my recent article Allium Leaves Drooping ( Top 5 Reasons ).
Fertilizing Potted Alliums
For the most part, Alliums do grow well without any fertilizer, epically if you use a high quality potting mix. Although you will see a massive difference in the size of the flowers if you do fertilize them when they need it the most. Once you see the Allium flowers starting to emerge you can use a fast release or a foliar fertilizer. I do not recommend using a slow release fertilizer in pots as most of them will be simply washed away while you are watering them.
Instead, you should use a foliar fertilizer once every two weeks, and spray it directly on the Allium leaves. Make sure to use this kind of fertilizer only in the evening, this way the plants have plenty of time to absorb it, if you spray the foliar fertilizer during the afternoon this might burn or damage the leaves.
Key Takeaways
- To grow Alliums in pots you have to use large clay pots, as these will allow air to circulate in the pot. The larger the Allium bulbs are the larger the pot should be, make sure to plant the bulbs 3x times deeper than their height. Water the potted Alliums only when the top inch of the soil is dry, and use a foliar fertilizer sprayed directly on the leaves as this way the plants will be able to absorb more nutrients.
- All types of Alliums can be grown in pots, and as long as you keep up with watering they should grow fine.
- You can use Allium companion plants when planting them in pots, annuals are a great choice as they will cover the Allium leaves and will flower for a long time.
- Only water the potted Alliums if the top inch of the soil is dry.
