What to Put in the Bottom of a Large Planter

Potted plants are a way to bring nature indoors or to organize an outdoor garden. Extra-large containers are decorative, and many larger plants with heavy trunks or expansive root systems require larger planters to provide adequate support. Fillers at the bottoms of large planters are used for promoting proper drainage and adjusting the weight at the bottom of the pot, whether too heavy or too light.

Before you line the bottom of your planter with a filler material, consider the needs of your plant. If fillers block the container's drainage holes, your plant won't drain properly. You may end up drowning your plant or causing root rot. If you plan on moving your container regularly, filler can help reduce its weight. Stick to light-weight fillers to replace heavier soil materials. If you want to make your plant less prone to tipping, make it bottom heavy. Opt for filler materials that are heavier than the top soil.

All-natural or organic materials are natural filler options for lining the bottom of your planters when you want to avoid using synthetic materials. The same bark mulch that lines your outdoor shrubs is a suitable option for filling planter bottoms. Mulch is natural and won't interfere with the regular drainage of your soil. If you have a yard full of evergreen trees, collect a bucket of pine cones for a simple, effective option for naturally filling the bottom of your planters.

Several items suitable for reuse as planter fillers may already be in your home. Packing peanuts are a popular option for filling large planters. Packing peanuts are nearly weightless and provide ample draining space for your soil. To avoid hassle during replanting, keep the peanuts in a mesh bag so they don't mix in with your soil. If you regularly recycle plastic bottles, leave some whole or cut them into thirds to line the bottom of your planters without adding much weight to the containers.

If you are worried about your large planters tipping, weighting the bottom of your containers is a way to avoid messy spills. Rocks or pebbles are a natural option for the bottom of large planters. They add weight without interfering with drainage or introducing unnatural materials into the mix. Old bricks broken into large chunks are also an option for weighing down the bottom of containers and keeping soil drainage effective.