Having potted plants inside your home or office can have some great benefits. Aside from being able to bring a bit of nature inside your home, these plants can also help to improve the quality of the air around you. Aside from this, having plants inside is known to boost your mood and creativity.
For gardeners, earthworms are often thought of as helpful creatures. This is because they help aerate and improve the quality of the soil. They do this by consuming organic matter and then excreting it in a way that helps create pockets of air in the soil. This, in turn, allows roots to grow more easily and makes it easier for plant life to thrive.
The question is, will it do the same for potted plants?
Are Earthworms Good for Potted Plants?
While it’s beneficial to add earthworms to the ground or vermicompost, having them in pots may not be the best idea. This is because the soil found in most pots may not be able to provide the earthworms with the nutrients they need to survive. Additionally, if the pot does not have proper drainage, the earthworms may drown.
Because of the limited space, earthworms may also start to crawl out of the pot in search of food. This can be a problem, especially if you don’t want them ending up on your home’s or kitchen’s floors. In general, it’s best to avoid adding earthworms to potted plants.
Their ability to aerate the soil and improve plant growth is beneficial, but their need for space and nutrients may do more harm than good in a pot.
Can Earthworms Survive in Potting Soil?
Potting soil is defined as a type of soil that is used to grow plants in containers. This soil is typically made up of a mix of peat moss, bark, and perlite. The soil used in pots is different from the soil found in gardens as they don’t contain the same types of nutrients.
Potting soil mix is created to provide adequate drainage for plants. this is to ensure that the roots will not be sitting in water, preventing common problems such as root rot. While this type of soil is good for plants, it’s not ideal for earthworms.
Aside from the fact that adding earthworms to potted plants may not be the best idea, they also don’t do well in this type of soil. Technically, they can survive for a bit of time, but they will die off rather quickly.
With that being said, if you’re looking to add earthworms to your plants, it’s best to look for a different type of soil that is more conducive to their survival.
Casting Tea as Alternative for Earthworms
Given that earthworms may not be the best option for potted plants, what can you do to improve the quality of your plant’s soil?
One alternative is to add casting tea to your plants. Casting tea, or worm tea, is a type of fertilizer made from worm castings (manure). This is considered one of the best types of liquid fertilizer as it is packed with nutrients that can help plants grow.
This way, your plants may enjoy similar benefits of adding earthworms without the risk of them dying off or crawling out of the pot.
To make casting tea, simply add worm castings to a container of water and let it steep for 24 hours. Once the time is up, you can then use this water to water your plants. The nutrients in the tea will help improve the quality of the soil and give your plants a boost.
Soil Conditions for Earthworms to Survive
For earthworms to survive, they need a few specific things. First, the soil must be loose and have good drainage. This is one of the most important factors as earthworms need to be able to breathe.
The soil must also contain organic matter, such as leaves and grass. Earthworms consume this type of matter and help to break it down into nutrients that can be used by plants.
Moisture also plays a crucial role in the survival of earthworms. The soil should be moist but not wet. Soggy soil can actually cause earthworms to drown.
If you’re looking to add earthworms to your plants, make sure that the soil meets these conditions. This will give them the best chance of surviving and thriving, and in return, help your plants to grow and flourish.
Are earthworms good for potted plants: Final Thoughts
While earthworms can be beneficial to plants, it’s not a good idea to add them to potted plants. This is because they need specific conditions to survive and thrive, which may not be met in a pot.
There are other ways of improving your potted plant’s soil, such as vermiculite, perlite, and compost. Some gardeners also use casting tea, which is made from earthworm castings. This can be a good alternative to adding live earthworms to your plants.
Related Article: Do Earthworms Eat Plant Roots?