The municipality of Amsterdam has announced plans to introduce new rules for potted plants on pavements in the centre of the Dutch city. To prevent walkways from being cluttered with pots, the city wants to limit the number of planters allowed to two per person, among other restrictions.

Limited number of potted plants in front of Amsterdam houses allowed

Households and business owners will have to follow various new regulations for the potted plants that they use to decorate the front of their properties - 30 of them to be exact which don’t apply to planters placed by the city itself. By introducing these rules, the council hopes to make more space on pavements for pedestrians and those with mobility issues.

Residents and businesses will have to ensure that they do not have more than two flower pots and that the pots do not exceed the size limit of 50 by 50 centimetres. Aside from using smaller pots, the containers will also have to be made from sustainable materials.

There will also be restrictions on the type of plants that those with green thumbs can place in front of their houses. No poisonous plants or plants with spikes are allowed. Climbing plants such as wisteria, creepers and climbing roses will also only be allowed if all building residents give the okay.

Pros and cons for planters on Dutch streets

While the Amsterdam city council acknowledges that pots filled with plants and flowers sitting alongside Dutch roads add beauty and greenery to neighbourhoods, they argue that there are also several disadvantages. One con is that the containers are used by dealers to hide drugs.

Many potted plants are also exotic species which do not benefit bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other indigenous insects. Most plotted plants do not add to biodiversity, which is why the municipality is advocating for greenery in created planting areas instead. This would also allow Dutch wildlife to interact with the plants.