What can I use to take up space in the bottom of large patio pots?

  12 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 03, 2018

    plastic water or soda bottles

  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Mar 03, 2018

    I use Styrofoam from packaging. Break into small pieces, and place in the bottom. I put a few coffee filters over the bottom to cover the holes. Then add the Styrofoam. You can also use packing peanuts. Just make sure these are the non-recyclable type. You do not want these to decompose. The advantage is they do not add weight to a large pot.

  • Sharon Sharon on Mar 03, 2018

    Chunks of styrofoam packaging.

  • Marie Entz Marie Entz on Mar 03, 2018

    You can take a smaller plastic pot (like the type they use to sell plants) and turn it upside down in the bottom of the pot. Fill in the sides with volcanic rock; non-toxic, light weight and drainable.

  • Susan Susan on Mar 03, 2018

    I used empty (plastic) pop bottles, tops attached. And of course the coffee filters over the holes in pot. It helps if you dampen the coffee filters before inserting over holes. Then they will snug right up to the pots, and not get displaced when placing bottles and potting soil.


  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Mar 03, 2018

    Hi Carla,

    I also use Styrofoam (mostly "peanuts") but if I don't have any I either get some from a local shipping center or I use something like newspaper or even plastic wrapping left over from a package. Newspaper will eventually deteriorate so you'd have to do that every year. Wishing you the best.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Mar 03, 2018

    I use styrofoam leftover from packings. Then I place a black large garbage bag on top fold it over the pot, put my soil and plants in, then trim the garbage bag a little below the top of the pot. Now I can move them easily across the deck.

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Mar 03, 2018

    I use the flower holders that they come in at the nursery. Take the small plants out and cut them down to size to fit the pot. Less in the trash, too.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Mar 03, 2018

    You can aluminum pop tins, packing foam beads or the clear plastic bumpy packing sheet.

  • Pat Pat on Mar 03, 2018

    I have used empty pop cans or margarine tubs (upside down) or yes, the small flower holders plants come in. Saves on having a lot of dirt in the pot and it is not so heavy to move around....doesn't affect the plants at all.

  • Tae Tae on Mar 03, 2018

    smaller pots, rocks are my ideas

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 03, 2018

    Polystyrene packaging..............