The strawberry pot is a distinctive ceramic or terracotta container characterized by its main opening at the top and several smaller side openings, often referred to as pockets. This vertical design makes it a popular choice for gardeners with limited space, maximizing the planting area in a compact footprint. While traditionally designed for its namesake fruit, this unique structure offers creative opportunities for cultivating a diverse range of plants. This guide explores how to successfully utilize this multi-pocketed planter for both its intended purpose and a variety of other edible and decorative displays.
The Essential Strawberry Planting Guide
Although many gardeners seek alternatives, understanding the pot’s original function provides a foundation for success when planting strawberries. Selecting the right variety is important for maximizing yield in a container environment. June-bearing varieties produce one large crop annually and may not be the best fit for the continuous harvesting desired in a pot.
Everbearing or day-neutral strawberry varieties are better suited for the confined space of a multi-pocketed planter. Day-neutral plants are not dependent on day length and produce flowers and fruit consistently throughout the growing season, provided temperatures remain between 35 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This consistent production makes them ideal for the small, manageable harvests a vertical pot provides.
For planting, place one small, bare-root or starter plant into each of the side pockets, ensuring the crown of the plant sits just above the soil line. Reserve the large opening at the top for a single, more vigorous plant or a small grouping of two plants. This arrangement allows the foliage and fruit to cascade outward, improving air circulation and reducing the risk of fungal disease.
Best Edible Alternatives for Pocket Gardening
The side pockets are perfect for cultivating edible plants that possess shallow root systems and a compact growth habit. Many culinary herbs thrive in these smaller confines, making the pot a convenient herb garden. Low-growing varieties like thyme, oregano, and creeping rosemary adapt well to the limited soil volume and benefit from the sharp drainage.
Chives and mint are also excellent choices, though it is advisable to plant aggressive spreaders like mint in their own small, contained pot before placing them into a side pocket. This barrier prevents the rhizomes from quickly colonizing the entire container and choking out neighboring plants. The frequent harvesting of herbs also helps maintain their size and productivity within the restricted space.
Beyond herbs, the pot can accommodate certain small-scale vegetables and greens. Loose-leaf lettuce and spinach perform well because their root disturbance is minimal. These plants should be harvested frequently to prevent them from bolting and becoming overcrowded in the pocket.
Certain root vegetables with rapid growth cycles, such as radishes, can be successfully grown in the top opening or even the deeper side pockets. Bush-type beans, which do not require a trellis, offer another option. Their compact size and defined growth habit are better suited than sprawling pole varieties.
Using the Pot for Decorative Display
The vertical structure of the strawberry pot lends itself to aesthetic arrangements using non-edible plants, transforming it into a dynamic focal point. Succulents are compatible with this container, especially in terracotta pots which naturally wick away moisture. Their shallow roots and ability to tolerate drying out between waterings are a good match for the uneven moisture levels often found in the side pockets.
Mixing different varieties of hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum) or various Echeveria creates textural interest that highlights the pot’s shape. Combining trailing varieties with upright ones ensures that all available pocket space is utilized visually.
Small annual flowers are another way to introduce vibrant color and a cascading effect. Trailing petunias can spill gracefully from the side openings, providing season-long blooms. For areas with more shade, impatiens or lobelia are excellent alternatives that offer dense color saturation.
The placement of these decorative plants should utilize the entire surface, placing filler plants in the pockets and a taller thriller plant in the main top opening. This approach maximizes visual impact by creating a dense, colorful sphere of foliage and flowers.
Maximizing Success with Soil and Watering Techniques
The most frequent cause of plant failure in strawberry pots is inconsistent water distribution, where the top plants receive all the moisture and the lower pockets remain dry. To combat this, establishing a central watering column is recommended before filling the pot with soil.
A simple solution involves placing a perforated PVC pipe directly down the center. Alternatively, a plastic funnel can be inserted and slowly lifted as the pot is filled. Watering directly into this central column ensures that water is delivered to the lower and middle soil layers, promoting deep root growth.
The soil must be light and fast-draining to prevent waterlogging, particularly in the lower sections which retain moisture longer. Use a quality potting mix designed for containers, amended with components like perlite, pumice, or coconut coir. These amendments increase aeration and improve drainage, preventing the compaction that starves roots of oxygen.
Before planting, confirm that the drainage hole at the base of the pot is clear and functional to allow excess water to escape. Plant placement must align with the needs of the chosen inhabitants. Sun-loving plants require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight, while shade-tolerant plants should be placed in an area receiving morning sun and afternoon shade.