How to Grow Flowers in Pots

Pansies

Container gardens brighten our homes and patios with brightly colored flowers, fresh herbs and other potted plants. It's easy to grow flowers in a pot throughout the year, both indoors and out. Select flowers that are already blooming at your local landscape supply store or start your container garden from seeds. Caring for and transplanting your seedlings is simple if you follow these step-by-step instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Flower seeds
• Seed tray
• Starting soil mixture
• Flowerpot
• Potting soil

Instructions

1. Plant your flower seeds six to eight weeks before the typical last frost for your part of the country. This will allow you to move your potted flowers outside for fresh air and sunshine. Plant your flower seeds anytime if you plan to keep your flowerpots inside.

2. Fill the individual trays on the seed tray ¾ full with a soil mixture specifically designed to help seeds germinate. You can find everything you need to plant flower seeds at your local discount, home improvement or landscape store.

3. Read the instructions on the flower seed packet for the number of seeds to place in each individual tray. Wet the soil before planting the seeds so that it's moist, not soaked. Most flowers call for one to three seeds to be pressed one quarter to one half of the way into the soil. Follow the instructions on your flower seed packet for optimum planting.

4. Place the seed tray in a window for warmth. You could also purchase a warming mat, a grow light or a small greenhouse, but as long as you maintain the temperature between 72 and 85 degrees F and offer a few hours of light each day, your seeds should be fine. When the seedlings germinate and the plants emerge, offer more light on a daily basis from sunlight or from a strong lamp. Feed the tiny plants small amounts of liquid fertilizer every other day as you water them.

5. Transplant the plants into larger pots when the plants are 4 to 5 inches tall. Add potting soil to your flowerpot up to an inch or so from the rim. Move the soil and create an opening for the plant in the center of the flowerpot. Remove the plant from the seed tray by lifting it straight up, and place it in the container. Replace the soil around the base of the plant and pat it firmly to secure the plant.

6. Water the transplanted flower and place it in the sun. Read the instructions on your seed packet to find out how much sunlight your flowers prefer and place the flowerpot accordingly so your flowers will grow to their best potential.

Tips & Warnings

• Liquid fertilizer once each week offers sufficient nutrients for your potted flowers.

• Do not overwater your flowers.

Resources

• Scotts Miracle-Gro Soils