Plants that are growing in pots tend to be more protected from slugs than the ones that are growing in the garden. Although slugs can have a fairly difficult time reaching the potted plants, but some of them will get into the pots sooner or later.
To stop slugs from eating plants in pots you should use slug pellets and place the pots either on the pavement or in an elevated position. Copper tape is also an extremely effective way of stopping slugs from damaging your potted plants, just make sure you use a wide copper strip. Smearing Vaseline around the edge of the pots will stop the slugs from crawling into the pots, although you will have to reapply it from time to time.
Some plants are really difficult to grow in the garden due to slugs, usually, these ones are grown in pots instead. I personally grow all my Dahlias in pots, if I would plant them in the garden they would be eaten in a matter of days by slugs and snails. The good news is that it can be a lot easier to stop slugs from eating plants that are growing in pots. The bad news is that some slugs can use the actual pot as their hiding spot during the day, and feed on the plants during the night.
Usually, when potted plants are targeted by slugs, there is either too much competition for food in the garden or the slugs are actually living under the pot. Make sure to lift the pot up from time to time to see if there are any slugs hiding in the plant saucer. If you want to know how to stop slugs from eating your plants then check out my recent article How To Stop Slugs Eating Plants? ( 8 Proven Methods ).
How To Stop Slugs Eating Plants In Pots
To prevent slugs from eating your plants in pots, there are a few strategies you can employ. Firstly, create a physical barrier by placing copper tape or a band of coarse sand around the rim of the pots. Slugs dislike crossing these rough surfaces. You can also elevate the pots on stands or place them on a surface treated with petroleum jelly to deter slugs from crawling up. Regularly inspect your pots and remove any slugs you find by handpicking or using tongs.
Avoid overwatering your plants as slugs are attracted to moist environments, and ensure proper drainage to keep the soil from becoming excessively wet. Applying natural repellents like coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, or a garlic spray around the pots can also help deter slugs.
Slug Pellets
Usually, the most common way of stopping slugs from eating potted plants is to use slug pellets. Slug pellets do work, but it is not always the best solution for potted plants. One of the problems with slug pellets is that they actually attract slugs, which is not ideal for potted plants as they could find their new home in the pot itself. Another issue with slug pellets is that even after the slugs have eaten them they still have plenty of time to damage the plants before they die.
If you use slug pellets in your pots then make sure to sprinkle them around your plants, and in the plant saucer as well. Oftentimes slugs will hide between the pots and the plant saucer as it is a dark and moist environment. If you want to know how to prevent slug infestations in your garden then check out my recent article How To Prevent Slug Infestations? ( Top 11 Proven Ways ).
Place The Pots On The Pavement Instead Of The Lawn
One of the easiest ways of keeping slugs away from potted plants is to simply put the pots on the pavement. Most pavements are massive obstacles for slugs, as these pests really hate crossing open spaces without any cover. In addition to this, during the daytime, the pavement tends to be really hot, and no slug will venture on it. On the other hand, if you place your potted plants directly on your lawn then you will notice that slugs will still damage them. If you want to know what causes slug infestations then check out my recent article What Causes Slug Infestation ( Top 7 Causes ).
Copper Tape Will Stop Slugs From Crawling Into The Pots
Copper tape is excellent for keeping slugs out of pots, although how you actually use them will determine if they will work for you or not. A thin strip of copper tape will not stop a hungry slug, so make sure to use a wide copper tape instead. The copper tape should be placed around the pot and not around the plant, this way no slug will enter the pot. If you only place the copper tape around the plant they might still get to the plant by going under it.
Place The Potted Plants On An Elevated Position
The higher the pot is the less likely it is for slugs to get into the pot. Something as simple as a small table, or even a chair will usually stop all slugs from getting into the pot. If you have plants that are growing in hanging baskets then you probably noticed that these never have slugs. This way you will actually control the access point of the slugs to the pots, a chair usually has 4 legs and only these can be used to get to the plant, most of the time the slugs will not even find these spots.
Smear Vaseline Onto The Edge Of The Pots
One really cheap and effective way of stopping slugs from climbing into pots is to smear some Vaseline on the edge of the pots. Slugs really hate vaseline, and once they touch it they will usually back off. Vaseline is also extremely good at repelling water, which means that water will not wash it off. Although you will have to reapply the vaseline from time to time, but a nice thick layer will last several weeks.
Double Sided Tape With Salt
Salt will not only stop slugs but it will actually kill them. Although in this case, we are going to use it to deter slugs from climbing up the pots and eating your plants. Get a double sided tape and glue it to the side of the plant saucer, then simply sprinkle some salt on the other side of the tape. The glue on the tape will hold most of the salt in position, just make sure that no salt goes into the plant saucer because it might kill the plant.
The main reason why you have to put it around the plant saucer and not the actual pot is because once it rains the salt will get dissolved and if you have placed it on the pot then all of the salt will go into the plant saucer which will damage the plants.
Eggshells Will Not Stops Slugs From Eating Potted Plants
In almost every article about slugs, you will find the eggshell method, the idea behind it is that slugs hate its texture and will not climb over it, or their sharp edges will hurt the slugs. There are videos online of slugs climbing on the edge of a razor blade, so crushed-up eggshells will not stop them. In addition to this, egg shells can actually attract slugs, as they are full of calcium which is extremely important for them, especially for snails as their house is made out of calcium.
Slugs and snails will go to great lengths to get the calcium they need, as most plants either contain no calcium or very little of it. In short, stop feeding the slugs with eggshells, you are only inviting more slugs to your garden.
Key Takeaways
- To stop slugs from eating your plants in pots use slug pellets, place the pots on the pavement, use copper tape, place the pots on an elevated position, use vaseline, double sided tape with salt, and under no circumstances give them eggshells.
- Under no circumstances spread eggshells in pots as you are not only inviting more slugs but actually feeding them.
- A thick layer of vaseline around the edge of the pots will stop most slugs.