Aquatic Planting Crates

Planting baskets for aquatics are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they differ from ordinary plant containers in having lattice sides, which make it possible for the gases and chemicals that are produced in the compost to pass easily into the pool water and so prevent the soil inside the container from stagnating

In addition to the round crates, there are also square and curved marginal shelf. The wider the base of the planting basket, the more stable it will be, and this is important if a tall plant is likely to be buffeted by wind. These planting baskets are made of plastic, and although they are mostly black, you can sometimes buy green ones.

To prevent the compost in the basket from leaching out into the water, the baskets are lines with a permeable lining, such as hessian (burlap) or polypropylene mesh. Liners are sold at aquatic centres, ready cut into squares of different sizes.

The containers range from 40cm (16in) in diameter, which are suitable for medium to large waterlilies, to 4cm (1.5in) in diameter, which are used for cuttings or aquarium plants.