You don’t need a big garden to make a big impact. Native plants in containers help provide food for our region’s diversity of wildlife—a key ingredient for a healthy planet.
Selecting a container plant is all about understanding your location. Will the pot be in full sun, or mostly in the shade? Does water tend to accumulate in your space? Look around your neighborhood to see which native plants are already naturally thriving. This will give you clues as to what will do well in your space. When in doubt, chat with someone at your nearest native plant nursery (it’s what they’re there for!).
Glazed pots keep moisture inside, making them a good choice for native plant species that prefer “wet feet.” Unglazed are better for those that like to dry out. Deep pots are usually best, but whichever size you choose, keep an eye on your plant’s growth—when the roots fill the container, it’s time to size up.
Plants adapted for wet environments are usually the best choice for containers gardens in San Diego.
Still, drainage is kind of a Goldilocks situation: not too much, not too little, but somewhere in between. Watch your plants as you water to make sure that water is coming out the drainage holes while still saturating the soil.