Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared a simple natural addition to hanging basket soil that keeps plants blooming all summer with less watering. The TV star revealed the tip on his TikTok channel, @gardeningalantitchmarsh, where he explained that water-storing crystals are the key to preventing baskets from drying out.
The Problem with Hanging Baskets in Summer
Hanging baskets bring charm to porches, patios, and balconies with cascading petunias, fuchsias, and trailing ivy geraniums. However, keeping them watered during hot, dry weather is challenging. Without sufficient water, plants wilt and die quickly. Titchmarsh noted that the “biggest problem” is that baskets are “hanging up in mid-air with the sun beating down on them,” which accelerates drying.
Titchmarsh's Solution: Water-Storing Crystals
In his TikTok video, captioned “The Secret to Hanging Baskets That Stay Full and Hydrated All Summer,” Titchmarsh demonstrated how to use water-storing crystals. He said, “You can add them to the compost, sprinkle them in, and work them in with your fingers. Once water hits them, they expand and they become a kind of gel. They stop hanging baskets drying out as quickly as they otherwise would.” The crystals absorb moisture and release it slowly back to the roots, helping plants thrive all summer.
Expert Backing from the Royal Horticultural Society
Gardening experts at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also recommend water-retaining granules to “reduce the amount of times you would need to water.” They note that natural options include Twool Woolly Water Keeper and Ecofective Natural Water Storing Granules.
Additional Care Tips
Even with crystals, hanging baskets need monitoring. The RHS advises checking the moisture level of the top inch of soil. Baskets require more water than pot plants because they are exposed to air and wind on all sides, which accelerates evaporation. They also have less soil to act as a water reservoir, so moisture depletes faster.
Titchmarsh's tip offers a practical way to maintain lush hanging baskets with less effort, ensuring vibrant displays throughout the summer heat.
