How to stop large plants from tipping in the wind?

10 years ago

My potted plants are on a third floor balcony, so sometimes wind is an issue. A number of times my large pots (up to 18" or so in diameter) tip over from the wind. Naturally it's irritating as some branches might break, medium falls onto the floor, etc.

All my pots have plastic saucers underneath them, and between the bottom of the pots and the saucers, I have plastic pot feet, to help with drainage. I have to wonder if the pot feet cause the pot to be less stable and/or allow wind to come up along the underside of the pot and make it more susceptible to tipping over.

What do you all think?....any other tricks to try and stop this from happening?... I wonder how much benefit in fact the pot feet are providing?...in most instances I don't think any roots are protruding or coming into contact with the saucers...but I just had this sense that pot feet are good to have...

And, yes, I do align the pot feet right up against the edges of the pots, so they are holding the pots in place as much as possible.

Featured Answer

Lynn Nevins
Original Author

10 years ago

Thanks. I need saucers to catch excess water to ensure it doesn't overflow onto balcony of neighbor beneath me. Also, elevated balconies get more wind than plants on the ground.

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Comments (12)

Dave
10 years ago
No need for saucers outside. And I use shims to get the pot off the ground about 1/2".

never had an issue with this one tipping. Tree is about 7 feet tall in an 18" terra cotta pot.
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
10 years ago
Yes, you need saucers on a balcony...Not sure if no feet will stop trees from tipping, if it is windy, only tying them to something (railing?) may be enough...or maybe putting some heavy rocks on the soil surface. It happens with some of my, especially larger plants too and they are in the garden. Just like an umbrella - even closed, the wind is sometimes strong enough to tip it including blocks I use to keep it down...
Dave
10 years ago
Put them close to the railing and tie the pots to it.
Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
10 years ago
The problem is a lack of bulk density in your potting medium. I am on a hillside in a valley that routinely gets 20-30 mph winds, and you don't even want to know what kind of gusts we get. I plant stuff that can get blown over in 3 parts pea gravel : 1 part Turface. Heavy as sin and no blow overs. Plus no staining from peat.
Lynn Nevins
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all for your thoughts. Don't want to tie anything to railing as I often have to move the pots to get around on my very tiny (NYC) balcony.

As for 'pea gravel' and 'Turface', don't even know what those are but suspect it's not something a person with no car and lives in NYC could easily get, never mind have storage space for.

My plants tipping over is really a nuisance more than anything. Never got any severe damage more than a broken branch or two. Maybe I'll just have to accept that sometimes it will happen. ;-)
Dave
10 years ago
If you don't want to tie them or try any of the other options, unfortunately, you'll just have to keep living with it.
brucejana
10 years ago
You could put a stake in the pot and tie the stake to the rail. You remove the stake when you want to move the plant. Works well for me
Lynn Nevins
Original Author
10 years ago
great idea!...thanks!
Dollie Jacinto
6 years ago
there's also a product called Better Bilt Top Hat Plant Container Stabilizer. I haven't used it but looks like it would work.
Nicole Morris
5 years ago
Curious what ended up working for the poster? I have same issue. I might the tie down method myself, but saw they have plant clips that could modify the tie down method to allow you clip to plant or railing and thus move plant in theory.
Dollie Jacinto
5 years ago
I also transplanted to wider pots which I weighted with small rocks in the bottom before I put the soil in. So far, none of the plants have been down winded.