Protect Your Deck from Stains Left by Potted Plants

While potted plants are a great way to spruce up your outdoor deck décor, planters can wreak havoc on your wooden deck over time by leaving stains or causing wood rot. Between inclement weather and watering your container garden, your planters continuously touch the surface of your deck, trapping moisture and preventing air from drying the wood beneath pots. Though plant saucers help prevent excessive water damage and staining from soil drainage, saucers still leave their own stains and damage, much like condensation from a cold drink creates a watermark on a table.

Your wooden decking requires air flow. Between watering and rainy days, the surface beneath your potted plants needs time to dry out to prevent expensive repairs to stained, moldy, and rotted decking. Instead of placing your container garden directly on your decking surface, consider these five ways to elevate your planters and protect your wooden deck from damage:

5 Ways to Prevent Deck Staining from Container Gardens

1.) Opt for Hanging Planters and Deck Planters.

Hanging planters and deck planters eliminate the need for potted plants to sit on the deck surface. By removing your planters from the deck flooring, you not only allow air flow to circulate the decking and your plant for optimal plant drainage, but it takes much of the backache out of having a green thumb. Without all the fatigue from bending and kneeling, you’ll be able to spend more time tending to your plants and enjoying your outdoor space.

There are so many options for hanging planters available to home gardeners, including decking hardware like shepherd’s hooks or planter brackets that attach to your railing and/or deck posts. At UglyDeck.com, we offer customizable desk accessories like built-in deck planters and trellises to add to your decking plans, so you can incorporate the plants you love without exposing your decking surface to the constant contact and moisture associated with potted plants!

2.) Place Potted Plants on Plant Stands.

Using plant stands is a great way to allow ample air circulation for your decking. Depending on your space and needs, plant stands come in all different heights, sizes, and shapes. With so many styles on the market, you can add personality and your own style preferences to your outdoor space. Just remember, it’s a good idea to frequently rotate your plant stands, so you give the deck floor time to dry beneath the stand’s legs as well.

3.) Elevate Off Surface with Pot Feet or Risers.

For those not looking to completely alter their container garden’s aesthetic, adding pot feet or planter risers beneath your potted plants is an easy, inexpensive, and low-profile option. Pot feet and risers work much like the legs of a chair, raising the pot off of the ground. By simply positioning them beneath your planter or saucer, you reduce the amount of contact between your planter and the decking and allow airflow beneath your containers.

4.) Frequently Change Your Pot Placement.

While it’s better to elevate off surface, switching up positions of your container garden can help keep your decking dry and minimize staining. Changing your planter placement can also benefit your plants; by placing a potted plant in a different angle of the sun, your plant will reach towards the new direction of sunlight, making the plant structure and root system stronger. If your decking doesn’t permit repositioning planters due to the amount of sunlight, space, etc., consider choosing an option that lifts your potted plants off the deck’s surface.

5.) Keep up with Regular Deck Maintenance.

Simply performing your annual deck maintenance and inspections will ensure your decking remains protected, not just from damages from your container garden but also from inclement weather and sun exposure. While wooden decks are classic choices for decking materials, they do require a significant amount of upkeep to ensure its structural integrity remains intact and the decking materials don’t buckle, warp, splinter, and rot. To prevent expensive damages to your decking, be sure to stay up to date with your deck cleanings and treatment, including sanding, staining, and/or sealing.

Tired of Worrying about Your Wooden Deck?

If you’re interested in updating your outdoor deck this spring, consider replacing your wooden deck with a lower-maintenance option that doesn’t require the frequent upkeep and waterproofing. At UglyDeck.com, we provide homeowners with maintenance-free decking solutions including composite decking, spiral staircases, and powder-coated aluminum railings.

Whether you’re working on a DIY project or looking to hire professional deck contractors, we are here to help at every step of the way, from selecting the right materials to professional installation. Visit one of our showroom locations to experience our maintenance-free materials in person and to get advice and guidance from a member of our team. From out of town? No worries! Our UglyDeck.com team can help you find everything you need to make your decking project a success, and with our nationwide shipping, getting quality professional-grade materials has never been easier! Chat with a member of our team or visit our online store today to begin ordering some of your decking materials!

Ready to get started planning your outdoor deck? Contact the experts at UglyDeck.com to receive a free estimate and to schedule a homesite consultation!