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When can a plant not be pot bound?

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  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Woody herbs like sage and rosemary are hardy shrubs so much better off in the ground and often don't do well in pots, so I would keep your pots for 'soft' herbs instead.  Plants can be kept in pots for several years, even if root-bound, as long as you water and feed them properly.  Judicious pruning (incuding root pruning) helps.
    I have rosemary in the ground and it does seem to be doing very well.

    On the watering front, it can be a bit confusing when all your hear about herbs like this is that they like it dry and not to over-water.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I have rosemary in the ground and it does seem to be doing very well.

    On the watering front, it can be a bit confusing when all your hear about herbs like this is that they like it dry and not to over-water.
    Yep, it's also tricky to water pot-bound plants as channels tend to form so water goes straight out of the bottom without wetting the compost.  I tend to sit them in a bucket of water for an hour or so and then don't water again unless they look like they need it.  Underwatering will kill very few mature plants without them first showing signs of wilting, whereas most plants will die if their roots are waterlogged, hence the general advice given to avoid overwatering.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Agree with what’s been said ... you can replace or divide it ... and it’ll be better in the ground as long as it’s well-drained. 
    And yes, sage cuttings strike easily. I replace my sage plants every 2/3 years with cuttings taken the previous summer. 

    I use loads of sage, with squash and courgette recipes, gnocchi and pasta  and roast chicken and pork of course. My sage plants occupy an area of about 1.5m x 1m ... couldn’t do without it  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I use lots of sage and parsley, sage dried and parsley in ice cubes in the freezer.
    i think I need to replace my sage then, dad planted it a long time ago, he’s been gone 3 years! 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Talking of herbs, as a hedgehog lover l'm posting a link to Hetty's Herbs - 5% of the cost of every order will be donated to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, so guess where l'm getting mine from! Hope you don't mind, but l do love the spiky creatures  :)
    https://www.hettysherbs.co.uk/charity-british-hedgehog-preservation-society/
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