If you have ordered from Nature Hills recently, you may have noticed that some plants arrived in a dark fabric bag instead of a traditional black plastic pot. That is a Root Pouch, and if you are seeing more of them in your orders, that is intentional. We have incorporated Root Pouch containers into part of our growing lineup, and you can expect to see them more frequently going forward.
Here is everything you need to know about what Root Pouches are, why we include them, and exactly how to get your plant in the ground for the best possible start.
What Is a Root Pouch?
A Root Pouch is a breathable fabric growing container made from 100% recycled materials, including recycled plastic water bottles blended with natural fiber. Unlike a rigid plastic pot, the woven fabric interacts directly with the root system as it grows.
As roots reach the container wall, the weave structure traps the root tips rather than letting them circle. This signals the plant to produce dense, lateral feeder roots branching back inward instead of spiraling around the pot wall. The result is a fibrous, well-developed root ball with more root mass in more places. That kind of root structure means faster establishment and a stronger plant once it is in the ground.
Learn more about Root Pouch technology at rootpouch.com.
Why We Include Root Pouches
When a growing container improves plant health and simplifies transplanting, it is worth using. Here is what Root Pouches bring to the table.
Better Root Development
The fabric weave stops roots from circling and encourages the plant to produce new feeder roots instead. By the time your plant arrives, it has a dense, fibrous root system that is primed for fast establishment in your soil. When you remove a non-degradable pouch at planting, you will notice the root ball holds its shape cleanly because of how the roots developed, which makes transplanting easier.
Better Stability in Transit
The fabric bottom of a Root Pouch conforms to irregular surfaces, which means less tipping at the nursery and more stable handling during shipping. Your plant arrives in better condition.
Sustainable Growing
Root Pouches are manufactured from 100% recycled plastic water bottles blended with natural fiber, diverting over 41 million bottles from landfills each year. The fabric is BPA-free and free of plasticizers and lead. In an industry as environmentally connected as horticulture, the materials we grow in matter.
The Most Important Question: Do I Remove the Pouch?
This depends on which type of Root Pouch your plant arrived in. There are two types, and getting this right is the single most important thing to know before you plant.
Degradable Root Pouch (Brown or Tan Fabric)
Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric is designed to break down naturally in the soil over time, allowing roots to grow right through as the material degrades. You do not need to remove it.
One thing to watch: Make sure the top edge of the pouch is at or slightly below the soil line. Any fabric sticking above the surface acts like a wick and can dry out the root zone faster than you want.
Non-Degradable Root Pouch (Black or Gray Fabric)
Remove the pouch before planting. The fabric will not break down in the ground, and roots will not be able to grow through it over time.
How to remove it: Lay the plant on its side. Cut the bottom of the pouch with scissors or a utility knife, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape well because of how Root Pouch growing works. This is one of the advantages of the system.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant. You can also email us at support@naturehills.com and we will confirm before you plant.
Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
What You Will Need
- Shovel or spade
- Garden hose or watering can
- Mulch (2 to 3 inches)
- Scissors or utility knife (for non-degradable pouches only)
Step 1: Water Before You Plant
Give your Root Pouch plant a thorough drink before planting. Fabric containers breathe, which means they can dry out faster than plastic during shipping and storage. Starting with a fully hydrated root ball makes for a smoother transition into the ground.
Step 2: Dig the Right Hole
Dig your hole 2 to 3 times wider than the Root Pouch, but only as deep as the root ball. The width encourages outward root growth. The depth is important: you want the top of the root ball sitting at or just slightly above the surrounding soil grade, not sunk below it.
Step 3: Prepare the Root Ball
- Degradable pouch: Place the entire plant, pouch and all, directly in the hole.
- Non-degradable pouch: Remove the pouch first (see instructions above), then set the root ball in the hole. Handle it from underneath, not by the trunk or stem.
Step 4: Check Your Depth
Before backfilling, confirm the top of the root ball is at or slightly above the surrounding soil. Planting too deep is one of the most common mistakes in container gardening. It can suffocate roots and cause long-term decline even in an otherwise healthy plant. When in doubt, plant a little high rather than a little low.
Step 5: Backfill With Native Soil
Fill the hole with the soil you removed. For most plants, amended backfill is not necessary or recommended. Your plant needs to establish in the native soil it will live in long term. Tamp gently with your foot to eliminate air pockets, but avoid hard compaction.
Step 6: Water Deeply
Water slowly and deeply right after planting. You want moisture to reach the full depth of the root ball. A slow trickle from a hose for 10 to 15 minutes works well for most container sizes. The goal is thorough saturation, not surface wetting.
Step 7: Mulch the Root Zone
Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch in a wide ring around the plant. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk or main stems. Mulch holds moisture, moderates soil temperature, and reduces competition from weeds. It is one of the highest-return things you can do for a newly planted tree or shrub.
Aftercare: What to Watch For
Water More Frequently at First
Root Pouch plants are accustomed to a breathable, fast-draining growing environment. In the first few weeks, check soil moisture more often than you might with a plastic-potted plant. Stick your finger 2 to 3 inches into the soil near the root ball. If it is dry, water. If it is moist, wait. Once established, the dense fibrous root system is efficient at drawing water from the surrounding soil, so most plants settle into a normal watering rhythm fairly quickly.
Some Leaf Stress Is Normal
Light wilting or leaf droop in the first week after planting is normal. The plant is adjusting from a controlled growing environment to your garden conditions. Keep watering consistently and give it time. Most plants bounce back within 7 to 14 days.
Watch the Pouch Edge on Degradable Types
If any part of the degradable fabric is sticking above the soil line after planting, tuck it down or cover it with soil or mulch. Exposed fabric wicks moisture away from the root ball and can cause uneven drying in the weeks after planting.
Questions?
Every plant is a little different and planting conditions vary. If you are not sure about your Root Pouch type, your soil conditions, or anything else before you plant, reach out to us at support@naturehills.com or chat with our plant specialists during business hours. We would rather you ask before planting than troubleshoot after.
Nature Hills Nursery. America's Largest Online Plant Nursery. All plants ship from our growing facilities in Ohio.
