If you’re anything like me, you love plants. But no matter how many plants you put in your window or on your desk they always seem to lose their leaves. What to do? Enter desktop planters. Not only are they stylish and convenient but they also serve as excellent environmental stewards.
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- Materials you’ll need
- How to make a desktop planter
- To put in your desktop planter
- Tips for keeping your desktop planter healthy
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Materials you’ll need
In this tutorial, we will be teaching you how to make a desktop planter using an Umbra Vase. This is a great way to add some personality and color to your work space or home. You will need the following materials.
An Umbra Vase.
A desk or table.
Paint or a different color of paint.
Small objects to fill the vase with (e.g. succulents, flowers, berries).
Sandpaper or a fine grit sandpaper.
Ruler or a straight edge.
Saw.
How to make a desktop planter
Creating a desktop planter doesn’t have to be difficult and with the help of an Umbra vase, it can be as simple as filling it with your favorite plants and flowers. Here are five steps to creating your own
1. Decide what type of planter you want to create. There are several options available, including round, rectangular or square shapes.
2. Choose your plants and flowers. You can choose from annuals or perennials and you can also select plants that will require little maintenance (such as succulents).
3. Measure the dimensions of your vase and mark them on the planter’s surface using a pencil or a sharp object. Be sure to account for any height adjustments you may need to make in order for the plant to fit properly.
4. Fill the vase with soil until it is level with the marks you made earlier. Add water until it reaches the top of the marks; do not allow the water to overflow!
5. Position the plant(s) in the planter and give it a good bump down into the soil so that its roots are well covered. Mist occasionally if needed to keep the plants moistened throughout summertime.
To put in your desktop planter
There are many different things you can put in a desktop planter and the possibilities are endless. You could fill it with fresh flowers, or add succulents to make it look drought-resistant. You could also use it to hold votives or other lighted items. There are lots of options! Here are some ideas to get you started
1. Use a vase that has a unique design. For example, an Umbra Vase has a geometric shape that looks great on a desk.
2. Fill your planter with plants that will look good together
For example, try planting tulips with daffodils or irises with sweet peas.
3. Choose plants that can grow in low light conditions
Or that will fade away over time. for example, lily of the valley might be a good choice for a planter because its leaves gradually turn yellow and fall off after flowering (making it Look like you’re always keeping fresh plants).
4.Use succulents as your plant choice
Because they require little water and don’t get too big (meaning they’ll fit into most desktop spaces). Try cactus plants, aloe vera, or echeverias for an interesting look and feel.
Tips for keeping your desktop planter healthy
Desktop planters can be a great way to add some color and life to your desk area but they can also be prone to becoming unhealthy if not properly cared for. Here are some tips for keeping your desktop planter healthy
Keep the soil moistened. One of the key ways to keep a desktop planter healthy is to keep the soil moistened. To do this, water the plant regularly using a spray bottle or gentle stream from a faucet. Over-watering will cause the soil to become compacted and decreasing airflow inside the pot, which can lead to root rot or other problems.
Avoid direct sunlight. One of the biggest dangers of desktop planters is exposure to direct sunlight. This can cause the plants to dry out quickly, which will then lead to leaf damage and even dieback. If you must have direct sunlight exposure, try to position the pot so that it’s shielded by furniture or other objects.
Use proper plant selection. When selecting plants for your desktop planter, be sure to choose those that are tolerant of low light levels and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Many popular plants such as succulents or cacti are not ideal for use in desktop planters because they need plenty of sun exposure in order grow properly.