Christian Anderson said, “Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower”

Living in an apartment or a home with little to no outdoor space can be challenging, especially for those with a green thumb. Large suburban yards allow homeowners to create lush greenspace that invites birds, pollinators, and wildlife to visit them daily. However, abundant space is not required to grow native plants or welcome our pollinator friends. Whether you are an urban apartment dweller, are renting your home, or are limited on space, you can still plant natives in containers and enjoy all the benefits they provide.
Follow these container gardening tips to create a pollinator habitat by adding greenery to your small spaces.
Eco Friendly Containers
When choosing your perfect pot, it is important to think about sustainable options that can be used for years to come or can be recycled for future use. A container must be the right size and have adequate drainage for the plant to flourish. If the plant is too crowded by a small pot or doesn’t have drainage, it will be hard to keep it alive. Cork containers are a fantastic option for native flowering plants because the material is natural and has built-in aeration and drainage capabilities. Other sustainable materials for plant containers include recycled plastic, clay, wood, bamboo, or tough fibers like Jute.
Also, don’t forget to recycle the clean plastic planter pot once you have transferred it into its new eco-friendly container. These can be put in your recycling cart, or you can recycle them at Home Depot and Lowes.
Texas Native Plants
Native Texas plants thrive in our humid climate, storm-prone summers, and chilly winters making them the perfect candidate for container gardening. Local Texas plants require less maintenance than their non-native counterparts, which can save you time and money, allowing you to enjoy your garden.
By including natives in your small space, you welcome native pollinators, like the monarch butterfly and mason bee to your oasis. Planting a variety of native grasses and flowers together will add texture and color to your pot, making it beneficial for pollinators and beautiful to look at. Think “thriller”, “filler”, “spiller”: tall plants in the back or center, lush texter in the middle, and trailing plants to soften the edge.
Determine how much sun your small space receives, and choose from the following:
Shade Container Plants

Inland sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Chilie Pequin (Capsicum annuum)
Rose Pavonia (Pavonia lasiopetala)
Texas Spiderwort (Tradescantia humilis)
Part- Shade Container Plants

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)
Prairie Verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)
Sun Container Plants

Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)
Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Woolly Stemodia (Stemodia lantana)
Event Spotlight

Don’t miss the Woodlands Landscaping Solutions on September 30th from 9 am – noon at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming.
This event will help you turn any space into a garden oasis. Stop by the small space gardening booth to get expert advice and design ideas. There will be native plant vendors, landscape designers, and many more standing by to assist you on your gardening journey. This is an event you won’t want to miss!
Got Questions? Contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 or enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov