Alliums are simple to grow and provide intense color when little else is flowering
The tall, round flower heads also provide structure and height – making them perfect for use in borders as well as pots.
Planting in borders is very straightforward; just pop them in the ground (plant them twice as deep as the size of the bulb), and away you go. That is why, in this article, I will focus on how to plant Alliums in pots.
Planting Alliums In Containers
The first task will be selecting the correct pot. Alliums grow tall and need space, so you will need a big pot.
Allium bulbs come in a variety of sizes, but the common ones you will find in most stores will be around 4-6” in diameter. As a rough rule of thumb, the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower and the more space they will need.
So, you will want a pot that is at least 12” deep and ideally 18” wide if you want to fit a few bulbs in.
Good drainage is also essential. Your bulbs will be in the soil all winter long, and if the drainage is poor, there is a good chance that they will rot.
Ensure there are lots of drainage holes in the pot and that these holes are off the ground so the water can escape. If you have a terracotta pot with a singular large hole, then put broken bits of terracotta over it to keep the soil in but allow the water to drain. You can also buy plant pot feet that lift the base of the pot off the ground.
Alliums are simple to grow and provide intense color when little else is flowering. They are the perfect flower for filling the lull in color that often occurs in late spring.
How To Plant Alliums In Pots
Just six simple steps to planting alliums in pots (or containers, if you prefer that terminology).
The tall, round flower heads also provide structure and height – making them perfect for use in borders as well as pots.
Planting in borders is very straightforward; just pop them in the ground (plant them twice as deep as the size of the bulb), and away you go. That is why, in this article, I will focus on how to plant Alliums in pots. So, with no further ado, let’s get started!
The first task will be selecting the correct pot. Alliums grow tall and need space, so you will need a big pot.
Allium bulbs come in a variety of sizes, but the common ones you will find in most stores will be around 4-6” in diameter. As a rough rule of thumb, the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower and the more space they will need.
Good drainage is also essential. Your bulbs will be in the soil all winter long, and if the drainage is poor, there is a good chance that they will rot.
Ensure there are lots of drainage holes in the pot and that these holes are off the ground so the water can escape. If you have a terracotta pot with a singular large hole, then put broken bits of terracotta over it to keep the soil in but allow the water to drain. You can also buy plant pot feet that lift the base of the pot off the ground.
Raise drainage holes off the ground so pots can drain over winter, and during the growing season.
Pot pieces over a pot drain hole
Pieces of broken pots can help keep drain holes working properly.
Now we have our pot sorted, we need to fill it. I just use a good-quality potting mix for this. The bulbs will be going in 6” deep. If yours are a little larger, then plant them a little deeper – remember you want to plant them roughly twice as deep as the bulb is tall.
Can simply place all of Alium bulbs on the soil surface and then cover them up
If you are unsure of which way round to plant your bulbs, then look for last year’s old root growth; this should be planted facing downwards.
Alliums need quite a lot of space, so you want to give them plenty of room.
Once your bulbs are all arranged, you can fill the rest of the pot with your potting mix. Now, you could just leave it there, but your pot will be pretty boring over winter.
These add a little bit of color over the winter months and really brighten the pot up.
