Use Tile Scraps To Keep Your Potted Plants Happy And Thriving

Any tile scraps you have hanging around your garden are probably on your list for your next trip to the junkyard, but hang onto them! They are actually useful for your plant care — the smaller and weirder the shards, the better. If you have been thinking about transforming your outdoor space with flowers and plants, keep some tile scraps on hand next time, rather than a bag of pebbles.

The reason they are great for plant care is pretty simple: placing tile on the top of your pot's soil slows down how fast the water evaporates. This is really handy during hot and dry days, and will require you to water less often. All plants need consistent watering, and the tiles also work to create a bit of shade for the soil, overall keeping the environment cooler. Most importantly, the tiles help prevent the soil from eroding or shifting when you water, which is especially useful if you pour water directly onto the tiles. The tiles will disperse the flow and protect the topsoil. And another great bonus to keeping topsoil covered is that it helps prevent fungus gnat infestations, since how to get rid of fungus gnats largely comes down to keeping the soil surface dry and undisturbed. 

Tile scraps are also a good solution if you keep your potted plants somewhere they might encounter a strong breeze — or nosy pets and kids. A loose layer of topsoil is an open invitation for curious mischief. Cats love to dig, dogs knock things over, and toddlers treat pots like sandboxes. Laying tile pieces on the top of your planter pots keeps the soil in place without compacting it too much. Avoid using heavy pieces, since they can press down on the soil and cause it to compact, and always rinse them clean first to remove any residues or chemicals that could leach into the soil.

Our biggest tip is when watering, pour gently directly onto the tile as it prevents soil disturbance. This small barrier helps keep soil from shifting or splattering, which is especially helpful if your pots are near white walls or garden furniture. The more mismatched the pieces, the more charming the result — like a little mosaic, which adds an artsy aesthetic to your outdoor space. You could even add fairy or little animal figurines for a whimsical, magical touch. So next time you find a crack in a ceramic tile, give it a new life. Your plants won't say thank you with words, but you'll see it in how they grow, stay moist, and keep the place looking cute.