Can I Put Worms in My Potted Plants?

If you're an avid gardener, you may have heard that adding worms to your garden soil can improve its overall health and fertility. But what about potted plants? Can you add worms to your indoor or outdoor potted plants for similar benefits? The answer is yes, and in this article, we'll explore why and how to do it.

Why Add Worms to Your Potted Plants?

Worms are known as “nature's plow,” and for good reason. They tunnel through soil, breaking down organic matter and aerating the soil as they go. By adding worms to your potted plants, you can achieve many of the same benefits as if they were in the ground.

Worms help to:

Improve soil structure.

Enhance soil fertility by breaking down organic matter into plant-available nutrients.

Aerate soil by creating channels for air and water to move through.

Bolster plant growth and health through the creation of beneficial microbial activity in the soil.

So, adding worms to your potted plants can help improve their overall health and vitality.

How to Add Worms to Your Potted Plants

Now that we've established why you'd want to add worms to your potted plants, let's discuss how to do it effectively.

The first thing you'll need is the right type of worm. You want to choose a species of worm that's well-suited for life in a pot. Eisenia fetida, commonly known as red wriggler or compost worm, is a great choice. These worms are small, thrive on organic matter and tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.

Next, you'll need to consider the size of your pot. The general rule of thumb is to add about 1-2 handfuls of worms for every square foot of soil. So, if you have a 1-foot-square pot, you might add 1-2 handfuls of worms.

You also want to make sure you're not adding too many worms. Overcrowding can lead to a lack of oxygen and moisture, both of which are crucial for the worms' survival.

To add the worms to your pot, you'll need to create a healthy and hospitable environment for them. This means:

Mixing in organic matter, such as compost, into the top few inches of soil. This provides food for the worms and improves soil fertility.

Keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Worms need moisture to survive and move through the soil but can't tolerate being submerged in water.

After mixing in some organic matter and moistening the soil, you can add your worms to the pot. If you're worried about them burrowing to the bottom of the pot and not coming up, you can create a worm tower. This is simply a vertical tube made of perforated PVC pipe, which you insert in the center of the pot and fill with kitchen scraps and bedding material. The worms will migrate to the tower for food and shelter.

Conclusion

Adding worms to your potted plants can help to improve soil fertility and structure, enhance plant growth and overall health, and create a healthier and more hospitable environment for the worms themselves. By following the tips outlined above, you can successfully add worms to your potted plants and enjoy the many benefits they provide.