What to Do With a Pot With No Drainage Holes
Picture this: you’re a plant lover shopping around for an affordable, stylish planter to match your home collection. You finally come across the perfect one to re-pot your moth orchid that sits on your windowsill. The colors fit the bill and the price fits the budget. But there’s a catch – no drainage holes. So you may begin to wonder, just how im~pot~ant is it to have a drainage hole in your plant pots?
Why They’re Important
Plant roots don’t like to sit in water. As they share oxygen and CO2 with the air, they need access to air pockets in the soil. These pockets allow for good airflow and proper drainage ability for the water moving through the soil, which helps to flush out any unnecessary salts and minerals.
Without drainage holes, you risk the chance of root rot – the number-one plant killer – caused by water-logged, poorly-drained soil. Because you love your plants so much, you want to provide them with adequate hydration. But what do you do when your love puts the plant at risk?
How to Use a Pot with No Drainage Holes
If you’re thinking about taking the “easy” route and drilling a hole through the bottom of your pot, stop! While it might work, you also risk cracking the pot in the process, and then you’re back to square one. There are better ways to keep your plants properly hydrated and root rot free, so keep reading!
One way to tackle the problem is to first plant your pot in one with the proper drainage holes that are porous enough to keep your plant happy and healthy. After that, simply place that pot into your larger and more stylish option! Just remember to add a filler to lift the plant up and allow water to drain away from the smaller pot. Gravel – such as Arqlite’s Smart Gravel – is a great way to keep your plant elevated and happy.
Another option – one that allows you to use any pot you have on hand, whether or not it offers sufficient drainage – is to use a layer of pebbles as a drainage layer. Smart Gravel is great in this case too, as this particular lightweight aggregate allows for water to flow between the pebbles and soil, disposing of any excess and avoiding root rot.
And remember, it’s important to research your individual plant’s need for light, water, and fertilization. If you don’t know how to properly care for it, you may blame poor health on a drainage problem when there is an alternative cause. Additionally, take care to buy the right kind of soil. Some plants need more draining soil than others – for example, that orchid on your windowsill (as well as other tropicals and succulents)!
Plants are a wonderful choice of home decor because they provide vibrance and life to a room with minimal maintenance beyond light and water. Practicing proper potting techniques, such as using Arqlite Smart Gravel to ensure proper drainage, will allow your plant to aerate and grow healthy roots so that you may enjoy its beauty for years to come!
