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Do not be confused about the many shapes and sizes that flower pots are available in. Do not also get carried away with how the pots are beautifully carved and designed.
The truth is they do not all serve the same purpose. For instance, the benefits of a tall and wide pot far outweigh that of a tall and narrow pot.
That notwithstanding, there are still some specific plants suitable for tall narrow pots, and they will not have any issues thriving.
We’ll be seeing some of them in today’s article!
Plants Suitable For Tall Narrow Pots
1. Bamboo (Bambusoideae)
(USDA Growing Zone: 4 – 11)
Bamboo plants sure do make very great decorative plants. They also make very good container plants although, you have to be careful as they tend to be very invasive so, watch out for their sporadic growth and be prepared to cut it down to size when that happens.Â
Another factor to bear in mind is to get from its wide range of varieties, the particular one that is best suited for the climate in your region.
Bamboo plants are one good option for tall, narrow plants. They do face some size constraints, though, but that still does not stop some variants of the plant from attaining a whopping 10 – 20ft.
You can also find them available in colors yellow, pink, etc.
For best results, ensure a full sun to part shade exposure, and have them planted in well-drained soil and water sparingly, at least once a week.
Quick Tip: Avoid root rot with your bamboo plant by ensuring effective drainage.
See Also: Tall Plants For Privacy In Pots
2. Amaranth (Amaranthus)
(USDA Growing Zone: 2 – 11)
Amaranths are tall plants with loads of benefits. They double as great decorative and edible plants.
A downside of these annual plants is that they have very short flowering seasons, meaning that you will have to show new seeds yearly or buy a new plant altogether.
One variety is popular because it stands out as a great or ornamental flowering plant; it is called Love Lies Bleeding.
There are also specific varieties that you should ask for if you want an edible amaranth plant.
With the full sun to part shade plus being placed in a container that has got effective drainage holes, the amaranth can very well grow up to 4ft in height.
3. Orange Rocket Barberry (Berberis Thunbergii)
(USDA Growing Zone: 5 – 9)
The Orange Rocket Barberry is one plant that gets even prettier as they grow, blessing your space with sweet-smelling yellow flowers in summer and spring.Â
They spot a green color initially that later transforms into a bright orange one as the fall season approaches.
Asides from the beauty it offers, they also have great benefits – they are easy-care and easy-grow plants that can grow up to 5ft tall.
To promote the production of berries, have them exposed to full sun. The same exposure to full sun will also see them spot gorgeous autumn colors.
Color Varieties: Ruby red, Coral.
4. Canna Lily (Canna x Generalis)
(USDA Growing Zone: 8 – 11)
Canna lilies are long flowering plants with large, showy leaves that brings the tropics in all its glory to your space.
They flower numerous times offering great visual qualities as they do.
Canna lilies are annual plants, and like all annual plants, new seeds will have to be planted every year, or you can buy fresh plants.
For best results, grow under full sun exposure and ensure that the plant’s base stays slightly soggy.
You will find this plant available in colors pink, pale yellow, orange, etc.
Height Range: 2 – 6ft.
5. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum)
(USDA Growing Zone: 6 – 11)
Fountain Grass is the perennial plant sitting pretty on our fifth spot.
They have got foliage that can be described as drop-dead gorgeous, especially during fall when they begin to spot beautiful shades of gold and copper.
Fountain grasses are quite hardy plants, but some are hardier than others, so be sure to do your findings at the point of purchase.
To get this plant well established, have them enjoy full sun to part shade exposure.
Fountain grass does not grow overly large to the extent of creeping into the space of other plants, but it can get as tall as 3ft at most.
Available Colors: White, pink, red, purple, etc.
6. Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum Tectorum)
(USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 11)
Hens and Chicks are quite easy to grow and maintain. They are quite hardy too, and can survive even in very low temperatures.
You also have various choice-colored varieties to pick from, and all promise to look stunning in containers.
For best results, have them planted in groups and allow them to enjoy full sun exposure, and have them moderately watered once in a while.
Once that is seen, you can sit back and enjoy your perennial, rubbery rose-looking plant with thick pads arranged beautifully in rosettes.
Height Range: 10 – 15cm.
7. Camellia Japonica
Camellia Japonica, or Japanese Camellia, is one great option for a tall, narrow pot.
This evergreen shrub also makes a bold statement in your space anytime, any day, with its long and slender leaves that spread and beautifully fill up a pot.Â
To add to their long list of advantages, they are long-blooming plants and attractors of bees and other pollinating agents.
They are easy-care plants that can tolerate just about any soil. They have a height size of about a meter and a 3-meter spread.
For best results, plant in a well-drained, slightly acidic, organic-rich soil and allow to enjoy full to partial shade exposure. Then, water moderately once for the soil to soak.
An indication that there is little acidity in the soil is when the leaves go yellow.
Available Colors: Pink, white, cream
Bloom Time: Spring and Summer.
8. Shasta Daisy
Shasta Daisy is one plant that has rightfully earned a spot on the list of plants suitable for tall, narrow pots.
They have no issues thriving in them and grow beautifully, sprouting white daisy flowers soon becoming a source of attraction in your space.
Factors That Determine A Plants Suitability For Tall Narrow Pots
Not all plants can and will survive in tall narrow pots; not all plants can even survive in containers, to begin with. Some plants have very large roots that need to spread out, and that sometimes, cannot happen in a container, not to talk about narrow ones.
Several factors determine a plant’s suitability for tall narrow pots. This includes the mature size and width of the plant, water requirements, pot size and root size, and length.
How do all these factors come into play? We’ll be analyzing that next.
Mature Size And Width Of Plant
Tall and narrow planters have no problems housing wide plants. The problem, however, lies in its final outlook – out of shape and balance.
This will make them visually unappealing to the eyes.
Water Requirements
The width of your plant is a strong deciding factor in how much water your plant gets.
To help us understand the above better, there is a need to explain what we call the ‘perched water table.’
The perched water table refers to the water line in your soil. Better put, we can describe it to be the same distance from the base of your pot, no matter the size of the planter.
A tall narrow plant ultimately translates to little water in your perched water table, unlike what would have been made available in a short and wide pot.
Therefore, there is a need to be sure of your plants need to know if a tall and narrow pot will be suitable for them.
An alternative will be for you to stay committed to consistent watering, which can be done by dragging a watering routine that you are to follow religiously. Else, the wise thing will be to stick to plants that do not need to be watered too often.
Pot Size
The amount of air and water a plant gets largely depends on its shape and size.
If a plant needs a high percentage of both air and water, you know better than to grow them in tall and narrow pots.
Root Size And Length
Tall and narrow pots understandably have very limited space, and as such, you may want to control the growth and weight of the plant, as excessive growth may put it at risk of being blown over by the wind.
However, an advantage of tall and narrow plants is that they pose less danger of your plant getting soggy.
A lot can go wrong if plants’ roots get soggy, which is one less worrying problem.
Conclusion
Some plants can grow comfortably well in tall and narrow pots, which, by the way, are very exquisite pieces.
The key is to know which ones are suitable for them. You also have to ensure that you do not plant too many in a single pot.
With our list of suitable plants for fall and narrow pots above, you can be sure of encountering no issues with deciding what is best for your tall and narrow pots.