Plants with short roots are quite a few and they differ in growing needs, characteristics and benefits offered. The owner’s need can be the main aspect that can affect the choice of the plant to be grown.

Short Rooted Plants to Grow This Season

Some need them to beautify their homes, while others want them for their health advantages. A short list of these plants includes the snake plant, Swiss chard and hydrangea.

Find out more about our choices below.

A List of Plants With Short Roots That Are Easy To Grow

We’ve picked some of the most popular plants with short roots, together with tables showing plant care requirements for each, benefits, distinguishing characteristics and uses. Some of these plants can be shallow rooted plants for shade, climbing plants for shallow soil, indoor plants with short roots and short rooted for gardens.

1. Petunia

The Vibrant Beauty of Petunias

Benefits
  • Attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies and wasps
  • Can be food for birds, which makes it easy for the plant to be spread
Uses
  • Used to treat asthma, blood pressure, bronchitis and fever
  • It’s a versatile plant used for many decoration types
  • Can be used to cover the ground to protect it from excessive heat
Distinguish characteristics
  • Has a bushy appearance
  • Its flowers have a funnel shape and are showy
  • Flowers come in colors such as pink, purple and white
Care
  • Grows superbly in sandy or loam soil
  • Needs to be watered each day when it is in its growing season and it requires 1.5 cups of water per two weeks

It is a flowering plant which is in the Acanthaceae family. It is one of the plants which can be added to yards or gardens so as to add beauty. These plants grow from a height of eight up to 24 inches. This type of plant is most likely to grow well in winter and spring.

2. Zinnia

Radiant Flower of Zinnias

Benefits
  • Flowers can be consumed
  • Grows very quickly and matures in a very short space of time
  • The plant’s flowering period is long, so you can enjoy their benefits for a long time 
Uses
  • It is a treatment for stomach pain and malaria
  • Used to prevent bacterial, fungal, and parasitic attacks
  • It is used as a love gift
Distinguishing characteristics
  • The flower petals form a circular fan-like shape
  • Has narrow and small leaves
  • Has white and powdery spots on stems and leaves
Care
  • Use the 10-10-10 type fertilizer for feeding
  • As for light, six, seven, and eight hours in a day are suitable
  • Water the plant about three times a week, but make sure you do not overwater it, as it’s prone to rotting

This type of plant does not cost much to maintain as it cannot be attacked by pests and insects. It’s most common in the Southeastern United States. It can last for only one year. It can give the owner a wide range of choices to beautify gardens and homes as they are found in different colors.

3. Lily Turfs

Lush Lily Turfs in a Bush

Benefits
  • Its roots are anti-allergic
  • It is a good designer plant for walking path sides
  • It is drought tolerant
Uses
  • Its root tea can be used to treat dry throats and coughs
  • It can be used as a skin moisturizer
  • Because of its spreading ability, it is used as ground cover
Distinguishing characteristics
  • It has a grass-like structure
  • It is a narrow-leaf plant
Care
  • Tattered and old leaves have to be removed
  • Requires soils that do not keep water for a long time
  • A range between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended

It can also be called Liriope muscari, big blue lily turf, monkey grass, spider grass, and border grass. It is a suitable and safe plant because it is not poisonous to humans, cats, dogs and horses. It can grow from 12 inches up to 18 inches.

4. Rhododendron

Majestic Bloom of Rhododendrons

Benefits
  • It is said to be able to prevent heart diseases
  • Some people use it to treat asthma and bronchitis
Uses
  • Used as ground cover for protecting tree roots
  • Can be used as a painkiller
  • Can be used to boost immunity
Distinguishing characteristics
  • Has leaves that appear like burnt ones
  • Its leaves are oval and green in color
Care
  • Needs a soil pH of 5.5
  • Has to be fed using organic matter
  • Always put them in places that are wind-free, as they are most likely to be damaged by wind

This type of plant can be stressed. When they are stressed, they can be identified by leaf scorching. When applying treatments to the plants, avoid overspraying them to prevent complications. When they bloom, they provide funnel-shaped flowers.

5. Aloe vera

A Great Healing Aloe Vera

Benefits
  • It can be used to prevent dental plaque
  • Drinking its juice improves the appearance of the skin
  • It relieves heartburn
Uses
  • It can be used to reduce constipation
  • Can be used to produce toothpaste
  • Some people use it as pre-treatment for diabetes
Distinguishing characteristics
  • It is a stemless plant
  • It has thick and green leaves
Care
  • Has to be fertilized using 10-40-10 fertilizer
  • Has to be grown in loose, well-draining, and rocky soil
  • Every two to three weeks, you have to water the plant once

It is a succulent type of plant which uses its leaves as water storage. When planting this species, always do so in shallow containers or shallow pots because of its shallow roots.

6. Swiss Chard

The Nutritious Swiss Chard

Benefits
  • Blood pressure reduction
  • It is a good source of food, as it is consumed either cooked or raw
  • Can enhance bone strength as it is rich in vitamin K
Uses
  • Used to improve sporting ability because it contains nutrients which help to boost endurance
  • It’s nutritious and contains iron, potassium and magnesium
Distinguishing characteristics
  • Usually has white stems but can also emerge in yellow and red
  • Has large deep-green leaves
Care
  • Soil pH must be 6 to 6.8
  • Keep soil temperature at 60 degrees Fahrenheit so that seeds can germinate
  • Maintain a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight

This plant can survive for up to two years. It is a spinach-look alike, but it differs in that it has a stronger flavor. It has very long stems which can be eaten as well. This plant’s leaves are usually prepared as a relish.

7. Cabbage

The Versatile Cabbage Vegetable

Benefits 
  • Improves digestion
  • Supports healthy blood clotting
  • Lowers cholesterol
Uses
  • It can be used as a relish and to prepare salads
  • It can be used to ease painful breasts when breastfeeding
  • Used to reduce the risk of bladder cancer
Distinguishing characteristics
Care
  • It needs to be watered on a weekly basis
  • Temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal

It is in the group of Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli. It can be best grown in cold areas or in the winter and spring seasons. Its scientific name is Brassica oleracea, and it belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is mostly rich in carbohydrates and vitamin K and C.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the different types of short-rooted plants that you can grow. Here are some of the few points to take note of:

  • Plants with short roots are not drought resistant because they can only get water when it is close to the upper ground, which is usually soon after rains.
  • They have the capabilities to store water in their stems or leaves. A few of these plants can store water in their roots.
  • Plants with short roots can be used as garden plants or yard plants.
  • They can be used for beautification purposes, especially on pavement sides, for consumption, and for health catering. They can be outdoor or indoor plants.
  • Plants with shallow roots need to be planted in shallow pots to allow roots to reach food and water. If pots are not used, make sure you plant in shallow soil.

This article has hopefully helped you with the information that you were looking for. Enjoy the transition from theoretical knowledge to practical application!

References

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant
  • https://basicbiology.net/plants/physiology/roots
  • https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/plant
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