22 Decorative Extras That Can Harm Container Plants in the Long Run

Container horticulture is a playfulness , creative way to append greenery and personality to your space . But not all decorative extras are helpful — some can secretly harm your plants over time .

Cute… Until Your Plants Start Suffering

From magical but serious accessory to trendy material that mess with moisture and soil health , here ’s what to watch out for if you want a thriving container garden .

1. Painted Rocks

Painted rocks might add together color and quality , but they often contain chemicals that can leach into the soil . These chemicals may interfere with water supply absorption or inclose toxins to the plant ’s roots . Over fourth dimension , this can stress the plant and cause growth problem . The key may also peel , leaving debris that constipate the dirt open . If you be intimate the looking at , prefer for untreated born stones instead .

2. Sphagnum Moss Overload

While a little moss help oneself hold back moisture , too much can suffocate the territory . This block breeze flow and cause soggy conditions that lead to rootage buncombe . It also encourages mold growth and fungus gnat , especially in humid climates . A thickset moss stratum can also trick you into thinking the dirt is moist when it ’s actually dry underneath . Use slenderly and with good drainage .

3. Artificial Flowers

Fake flowers in a bay window may face cute , but if densely stage , they can limit flow of air and make moist conditions that invite pests or mold . Their positioning can also choke up sunshine from reaching the plant ’s substructure , which is essential for growth . Over time , dust and wet work up up on artificial petal , leading to poor hygiene and fungal problem . While a few well - placed artificial flowers may be harmless , crowding them can make an unhealthy environment .

4. Seashells

Though they add coastal charm , seashells can alter the grime ’s pH over time . Most container plants prefer a neutral or slenderly acidulent pH , and crushed shell add unwanted alkalinity . Shells can also block even watering and deoxidise wet flow into the land . Their sharp edges might harm delicate roots when mixed into the potting mixture . Use with caution or select ornamental alternatives .

5. Decorative Mulch (Dyed Wood Chips)

Dyed mulch looks neat but can hold in harmful dyestuff and chemicals . These additives may affect dirt timbre and root wellness in small-scale pots . Colored mulch can also fade in sunshine , leaving behind a patchy , affected feel . Some types are made from recycled woodwind instrument treated with unknown pith . joint to natural , untreated wood mulch if you need a cleaner , safer option .

6. Fairy Garden Figurines

Tiny gnomes and fairies are adorable , but if they ’re too heavy or cover too much surface area , they can compact the soil or reduce necessary light and airflow . This can leave to suffocated roots and moldy patches on the soil . wet may get trapped underneath these figures , create a hidden home for pests . select lightweight , well - ventilated ornament placed cautiously .

7. Mirror Shards

Broken mirror bit shine igniter in aesthetic ways but can intensify sunshine and singe plant leave-taking . They ’re also high-risk for nipper and dearie due to abrupt edge . Shards may ruminate estrus into the ground , causing radical geographical zone temperatures to spike . Over time , they may maculate or give way down , littering the soil with junk . Use mirror art away from living industrial plant .

8. Beads or Marbles

Colorful filler like wits or string of beads are dumb and stuff water system from soaking through to the ascendant . Over prison term , this causes shallow antecedent systems or dry soil underneath . They may also pack together the surface , preventing desiccation and encouraging fungous growing . Plastic beads can degrade in sunlight , free microplastics . If you like the look , grade them in a ornamental arena nearby instead .

9. Sand Layers

A top layer of sand might look sleek , but it crust over when dry , keep weewee from reach lower soil layer effectively . It can also indurate and organise a roadblock that blocks airflow . Some sands have salt or lime , which can harm plant roots . lactating moxie can attract gnats and harbor mold . Try okay gravel or bark for a breathable top bed alternatively .

10. Clay Pebbles Without Drainage

Clay balls are great in hydroponics , but in traditional containers without proper drainage , they hold too much wet . This can get source to rot and lead to fungous problems . Without a bottom electric outlet for water , the wet just sits , create soggy conditions . These pebbles are best used in self - lacrimation apparatus or as a modest top layer , not as a full base .

11. Ceramic Figurines

grievous and non - holey , ceramic interior decoration can count down soil and create dark , moist zones that fungus gnat fuck . Their free weight can compress the potting premix , reducing air pockets root word demand . candy ceramics may hold in lead or other chemical substance that leach into dampish soil . take light , flora - safe material if you want to include decorative figures .

12. Candle Holders

Repurposed standard candle holders may seem like a smart upcycle , but melt wax remnants or metal residues can be toxic to industrial plant . Soot or leftover scents may also touch soil bacteria and root wellness . If water pools inside the bearer , it create a facts of life undercoat for mosquitoes or alga . It ’s better to use clean , non - toxic container made specifically for industrial plant .

13. Plastic Gems

These synthetic stones do n’t bust down and can step in with soil drainage . Over meter , they may leach microplastics into the good deal . Their glossy surface can reverberate too much sunlight and make raging spots . Plastic gems also block airflow and reduce body of water penetration . stave off them in plant spate and prefer for organic , breathable mulch instead .

14. Gravel Layers Without a Barrier

Gravel at the bottom of a sess may seem helpful , but without a interlocking or barrier , it causes piddle to pocket billiards above the gravel — leading to mucky etymon . This standing water create perfect condition for stem hogwash . The crushed rock can also wad over time , reducing drain . Always use a breathable roadblock like landscape cloth if tally gravel .

15. Fabric Wraps or Liners

wrap pots in decorative fabric can trap moisture and slim down airflow to the pot ’s exterior . This promotes cast on the container and surrounding country . material can also become discolored and start to reek if it last out moist . dirt ball may hide between the fabric and the pot . If wrapping , see to it the cloth is breathable and preserve dry .

16. Thick Coir Mats

Coconut fiber mats look gross , but when layered thickly , they prevent proper watering and ho-hum ground drying — bad tidings for sensitive roots . Water may pool on top or run off without soaking in . Over meter , they compress and block air flow . Use thin coir level or mix with soil for better equilibrium . Avoid placing a thick mat over the entire control surface .

17. Pinecones

Used for rustic appeal , pinecones can introduce pests or fungal spores . They also block even watering if piled on top . As they come apart down , they may draw ants or beetles . Some pinecone have raw resins that affect territory chemistry . It ’s safe to use pinecones in out-of-door beds or as seasonal decor aside from know flora .

18. Overly Packed Pebble Top Layers

A jam-packed pebble surface may look dressed but hinders water penetration and evaporation , call for moulding and root problems . This can run to shallow roots and wretched O flow . It also traps heat in hot weather , stressing root . Pebbles can transmigrate into the soil over prison term , reducing air pocket . Use little crack between pebbles to allow good water supply flow .

19. Metal Ornaments

Uncoated metal decoration may develop rust over time . While rusting ( atomic number 26 oxide ) is generally not harmful to plants and can even provide trace amounts of iron , excessive rust in very acidic territory could potentially affect works health . To prevent any consequence , consider using rusting - resistant material or range a barrier between metallic element ornaments and the soil .

20. Mosaic Tiles

Beautiful but potentially hazardous , mosaic tiles trap heat and speculate harsh light . They ’re good on walls than in tidy sum . These tile are often heavy , press down on stain and preventing evaporation . Uneven border can chip and harm theme or multitude . If used at all , keep them on the outer mess rim for ornament , not over the soil .

21. Wooden Accents (Untreated)

Untreated wood can rot , attract insect , or leaching tannins into the soil , affecting the pH and water balance over metre . It may also crack or warp with repeated watering . hemipteran like white ant or beetles may nest in cushy , damp Grant Wood . If add wooden interior decoration , ensure it ’s seal with plant - safe polish .

22. Rope or Twine Decorations

Natural - looking forget me drug wrap around containers may keep on dampness , causing buncombe or mildew around the pot ’s base of operations . Over time , the rope can fray and leave behind mussy Strand . Wet rope is a haven for insect and mold . If using string for hanging pots , see on a regular basis for signs of wear or piddle damage . Choose semisynthetic , rotting - resistant edition when needed .

Choose Decor That Lets Your Plants Breathe and Thrive

Whendecorating containers , think long - term . Your plants need light , water , and air to flourish — so skip the heavy , chemical substance - laden , or airflow - blocking extras . A lightheaded tactual sensation goes a long way toward healthy , happy container plants ! Stick to lifelike , breathable materials that corroborate rather than try your green friends .