The Daily Dig

Real estate is valuable. I'm not talking about how much your house is worth, I'm talking about the ever shrinking space in your garden. We have always grouped plants together in the ground, but not all of us have been doing the same thing in our pots and containers.

I have always been a one plant to one pot kind of guy, but after coming home from the nursery with that must have plant, one wonders where are you gonna put that thing. I'm starting to see how sharing the space in my plant's pot could allow me to double my growing space or at least not feel as guilty for bringing home another plant orphan. Grouping plants together in pots can also create more interest, color, texture, and drama in a small confined space.

When planting multiple plants in the same pot, you should consider a few things.
1. Do the plants all have the same lighting needs (don't mix full sun with full shade)
2. Do they all have the same watering needs (one plant may like it moist while the other likes it on the dry side)
3. Do they share the same growth patterns (some plants grow quicker than others and may take over the pot)
4. Do the root systems grow the same (some roots are dense and others are shallow)

Why not consider making some of those lonely plants in your garden roommates, they might get along better than you think!
Shared Spaces was shot at Brad Austin's Garden in Los Angeles, Ca