How to Lay Stones Around Tropical Plants

Mimicking the Tropical Environment

• Because the natural habitat of tropical plants includes ample moisture in the air and soil, those are the conditions in which they grow best. Unfortunately, when tropical plants are removed from that environment, it's necessary for home gardeners to take steps to give them what they need. Stones laid around the bases of tropical plants serve a twofold purpose. They draw and absorb heat from the sun's rays and hold it near the plants' roots, ensuring that the roots stay warm. They also prevent the rapid evaporation of water, helping maintain the moist soil that the plants prefer.

Choosing the Stones

• When it comes to stone selection for tropical plants, the choices are numerous. Select small stones such as pea gravel or decomposed granite for placement around delicate tropical plants, such as flowering varieties and houseplants. Larger stones easily can be placed around tropical trees and shrubs in an outdoor environment. Choose decomposed granite in a shade that matches the blooms or foliage of the plants, or pick a granite that contrasts with them in a vibrant pop of color. Select stones about the size of softballs to set off the area around large specimens such as tropical fruit trees. Volcanic rock -- large or small -- can be used to create an island ambiance around tropical plants.

Placing the Stones

• The placement of the stones situated around tropical plants is determined by each type of plant and where each plant is located. Houseplants grown in containers easily can host a thin layer of stones for decorative purposes. Place 1/4- to 1/2-inch of gravel in their pots to create a pleasing look and help the plants retain moisture between waterings. When placing stones around tropical plants in the landscape, install a layer of landscape netting underneath the area first, and secure the netting with landscape fabric pins. The netting helps prevent the stones from sinking into the soil and prevents the growth of weeds through the stones at the plant bases. When placing stones around plants with surface roots, set them gently to avoid damaging the roots.

Maintaining the Stones

• Fortunately, stone or gravel mulch is among the most low-maintenance options. Unlike organic mulch, stones don't decompose or require frequent topping to maintain their appearance and volume. Stone mulch may gather dust and debris, however. So give it a good rinse on a regular basis when watering the tropical plants it surrounds. When you long for a change of color or style, gently remove the stones surrounding the plants, and replace them with stones that are more to your liking.