Spring is the season of fresh starts, and your flower pots deserve one too! While it’s tempting to simply swap out dead plants and keep moving, last year’s soil and residue can harbor hidden problems. A quick annual cleaning routine helps your containers look beautiful and ensures your plants thrive all season long. As we spring forward into Daylight Savings Time (can you even believe it’s already that time of year?) this is a great weekend to clean those pots for the season ahead!

Why Cleaning Your Flower Pots Matters

Skipping this step might not seem like a big deal, but leftover dirt and debris inside your containers can cause:

Pests & Diseases: Old soil can be a breeding ground for diseases, mold, and unwelcome insects. Roses, hydrangeas, and peonies are especially susceptible to diseases such as leaf spot, black spot or powdery mildew. Spores can survive over winter in plant debris and dead leaves and reinfect new growth in the spring. If you’ve been constantly battling to keep your container plants green and healthy, it may be time for a deep spring cleaning and fresh soil.
Nutrient Depletion: Plants pull nutrients from the soil, and reusing old dirt can leave your new flowers struggling to grow. If you reuse the same dirt year after year without adding more fertilizer or new potting soil, soon there are no nutrients left. What is the best fertilizer for flowers? I use ColorStar to fertilize all my containers and planters. You can watch this video to learn how to add ColorStar fertilizer to plants.
Poor Drainage: Roots need air! A buildup of compacted soil and residue can lead to waterlogged plants and root rot. If the drainage holes inside your containers are clogged with hard-packed dirt and debris, the containers will not drain properly. Good watering and drainage is key for plants survival, so don’t skip this step. If you struggle with poor drainage, you can add a layer of river rocks, gravel or even old broken flower pots to the bottom of your containers to allow for better drainage. You can even repurpose broken or leftover flower pots as drainage material at the bottom of your containers.

How to Give Your Pots a Fresh Start

A little prep work goes a long way in keeping your plants healthy:

Empty & Scrub: Remove old soil and wash pots with warm, soapy water or a mild bleach solution (Mix 1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Spray them with your water hose nozzle to loosen hardened dirt and debris. For tough stains on concrete, scrub with a wire bristle brush. Do NOT use wire brushes on terracotta pots! They are too soft and will easily scratch. Instead, use a regular dish cloth or a soft bristle brush ( like this one!). You can soak them to help loosen tough stains.
Rinse & Dry: After they are clean, let them air dry completely in the sun. Sunshine is your most powerful tool against mold and mildew. Direct sunlight kills all sorts of bacteria, so use that free solar power!
Refresh with Quality Soil: Start with a nutrient-rich potting mix designed for containers—your plants will thank you!
QUICK TIP: Use an Olive Oil Sprayer filled with a mild bleach and water solution to spray all of your pots! I use this for bleach and water to clean my containers! Just be sure to label it so you don’t forget what’s inside!

The Secret to Thriving Containers: The Right Soil

Great potting soil means happy plants! Skip the garden soil—it’s too heavy for pots. Instead, choose:

High-Quality Potting Mix: Use a mix that is lightweight, well-draining, and packed with nutrients.
Moisture Control Options: Perfect for those hot summers when plants need lots of extra hydration.
Extended Feed Fertilizer: An extended feed fertilizer works great to produce blooms all season!
Organic Additions: A sprinkle of compost or worm castings adds a natural nutrient boost.