How to Use Paper Grocery Bags as Filler in Large Planters: A Smart Money Saving Hack for Central Florida
If you’ve seen our recent video that’s been making the rounds, you already know about this clever trick: using saved paper grocery bags as filler at the bottom of large planters. It’s a simple, eco-friendly way to reduce the amount of potting mix you need while keeping your containers lighter and more manageable. Here’s everything you need to know about making this hack work on your Orlando-area porch.
Why Use Paper Grocery Bags As Filler in Large Planters?
Large urns and pots look beautiful but can require a surprising amount of expensive potting soil to fill completely. Using filler at the bottom:
Saves money on soil
Makes heavy containers lighter and easier to move
Improves drainage when done correctly
Reduces overall weight — important for porches, balconies, and rooftops in Central Florida
The Paper Grocery Bag Hack – Step by Step
Save Your Clean Paper Bags Collect brown kraft paper grocery bags from your shopping trips. Make sure they’re clean and dry.
Prepare the Planter Place a layer of landscape fabric or mesh screen over the drainage holes to prevent soil from escaping while allowing water to drain.
Add the Paper Bags Crumple the paper bags loosely and layer them in the bottom third to half of the planter. Don’t pack them too tightly — you want air pockets for drainage.
Add a Separation Layer Place another piece of landscape fabric or a thin layer of pine bark over the paper bags. This helps prevent the paper from mixing into your soil too quickly.
Fill with Premium Potting Mix Top with high-quality container potting mix (never garden soil) and plant as usual.
Benefits of This Hack for Central Florida Homeowners
Cost Savings — Large planters can require multiple bags of premium potting mix. This trick can cut your soil needs significantly.
Lighter Weight — Helpful when styling elevated porches or when you want the flexibility to rearrange seasonally.
Eco-Friendly — Repurposes single-use paper bags instead of sending them to the landfill.
Good Drainage — When loosely crumpled, paper allows water to pass through as it slowly breaks down.
Important Considerations
While this is a great budget-friendly tip, here are a few things to keep in mind in our hot, humid climate:
Paper breaks down over time (usually 6–12 months), so you may need to refresh filler during deep cleanouts.
Monitor drainage — overly compacted paper can retain too much moisture in rainy seasons.
For best long-term performance, combine this with premium materials and proper plant selection.
When to Skip the DIY and Go Pro
This hack works well for smaller projects or temporary setups. However, for high-end seasonal displays that need to look flawless all season long, our Planter Program delivers superior results. We use professional-grade fillers, premium soil blends optimized for Florida conditions, and expertly chosen plants — all installed with white-glove service so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Ready to Create Beautiful Planters?
Whether you’re trying the grocery bag hack at home or want effortless, magazine-worthy results, Season Reserve is here to help elevate your curb appeal in Orlando, Winter Park, Heathrow, Lake Mary, and throughout Central Florida.
Watch the full viral video on our social channels and let us know how the hack worked for you!
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and discover how our quarterly planter refreshes can give you stunning results with zero weekend work.
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