Flowers for Small Pots

Several types of flowers grow well in small pots, and you can create a larger display by grouping a few containers together. Use small pots made of clay, plastic or ceramic. Make sure they have drainage holes in the bottom. Flowers in small pots dry out quickly, requiring frequent water.

The pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) produces daisy-like flowers in many shades of yellow, orange or peach. Some varieties have brown centers. The flowers nestle in bushy foliage. The flowers will bloom from early spring through autumn if you snip off spent blossoms. You can use the flower petals for flavoring foods.

Wax begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) forms a compact low mound of flowers in a small pot. This flower likes at least partial sun and will do well in a sunny window. The flowers come in shades of red, pink, peach or white and bloom in the spring and summer. Try to keep water off the leaves and add fertilizer regularly to keep it healthy.

The New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens New Guinea Hybrids) will produce flowers of red, orange, pink or white against a backdrop of rich green leaves. It needs partial shade and cooler surroundings to produce the best flowers. You can start new plants from stem cuttings.

The dwarf morning glory (Convolvulus tricolor) becomes a mound of blue, white, red or multicolored flowers. It will bloom constantly in a sunny window. Although in the ground it may become 3 feet tall, in a small pot, it will remain small. You can propagate new plants from stem cuttings.

You can grow an amaryllis blossom (Hippeastrum) that is up to 6 inches wide, and force it to bloom in the middle of winter. According to A. A. DeHertogh of North Carolina State University, plant your bulb in a 6-inch pot, leaving a third of the bulb above the rim of the pot. The flowers come in shades of red, pink, white or orange. To force it to bloom, keep it in a brightly lighted room at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it sprouts, you must fertilize with a slow release fertilizer.

African Violets (Saintpaulia), given loving care, will bloom year round. The flowers may be any shade of purple, pink, red or white. They like daytime temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they prefer cooler nights of 65 to 70 degrees. B. Rosie Lerner and Michael N. Dana,\ of Purdue University advise that the length and intensity of light is important. If the plants get too much light, the leaves will turn yellow. With too little light, the leaves become thin. Water the plants from the bottom when the soil feels dry, and keep the leaves dry.