Many people who like houseplants wonder if it is possible to plant several species in one pot. While such compositions might look miraculous, it is questionable whether the plants will feel good together. Our answer is yes! It might be troublesome to arrange single-pot plant composition; however, the result is worth trying. The key is to know several simple rules so that companion plants do not interfere with each other.
Rule â„–1
The main rule of successful cohabitation of different plants in one pot is that you can plant them together only if they have similar subsistence requirements. Pay attention to lighting, watering, temperature, ground mixture, and growth factors; they must be similar. Also, the periods of winter rest and active growing should coincide. It is advised to locate the herbs not too tightly in the container to allow further growth.
Rule â„–2
The second rule is the height of the plants that live in the same pot. It is crucial that the species are the same height. If you plant flowers of drastically different sizes, this is what happens to them:
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if there is a lack of space between plants, fungi and diseases will emerge. They will occur because there will be less air and sunlight, which are critical factors for plants;
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if the plants are very close in one pot, the weaker plant will simply die by touching the stronger plant;
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plants should not block one another’s light;
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a faster-growing plant can easily destroy a neighbor that grows slower.
Please try to keep these features in mind so that growing plants do not cause discomfort to each other in the future!
How to combine plants
Even though it might be challenging to find the plants that will feel alright growing together, don’t be afraid of experiments. There are no guarantees that the flowers will suit each other from the very first attempt, yet with some experience, you will definitely find a perfect combination.
Try planting your group of different plants in a box and explore their coexistence! By exploring how they develop in one container, you can discover new combinations of various species!
As a result of the experiment, you will see which plant species can live together and which cannot. If you check on your pets regularly, you will notice if one of them is not feeling okay - in this case, separate that plant to save it.
Remember about the light; the plants must always be in the same conditions. It is essential if you place the composition more than 1 meter away from the window.
After several weeks of successful co-living, you can no longer be afraid to re-plant new neighbors into one pot.
Species to grow together
To make your experiment easier, catch a list of original combinations of plants that will coexist in one pot without harm to each other.
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Cacti and succulents. It is one of the simplest combinations as all of them require a lot of light and little water. Also, these plants predominantly store moisture in their stems, so their root systems are tiny and will not hurt or overgrow each other. It’s a good idea for those who want to try a single-pot composition but have trouble with proper care.
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Try combining dark green Aspidistra and light Asplenium with the magnificent Pteris and Ficus.
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Maranta arundinacea, Dieffenbachia, Nidularium and Premepinum aureum.
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For a more massive mix, try Ficus, Fatshedera Lizei, and bright Grevillea! We recommend a high rectangular pot for this combination.
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Purple Gynura, silver Pilea, pink Hypoestes, and striped Calathea for extraordinary interior accent.
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Unusual combination: high Sansevieria, short Pilea, and evergreen Peperomia!
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How about some exotics? Check out Syngonium, Silver and Broadleaf Tradescantia, purple Aglaonema, and yellow Pachystachys!