Why Do Pots Need Drain Holes? … Plants in pots without drainage holes are prone to becoming overwatered. Even if the soil surface appears dry, the soil at the bottom of the pot may be sopping wet. Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, a serious condition that can easily kill your plants.
Similarly one may ask, what can I use for drainage in a large planter?
If you have an especially big planter to fill, light, bulky materials are your best bet. Examples include plastic drink containers, milk jugs, crushed soda cans, foam packing materials and plastic or foam take-out containers.
Also question is, how do you deal with drainage holes in pots?
Cover the drainage hole of the container before planting, using a material that allows water to drain freely while holding the potting soil in. Ideas include a piece of broken pottery or a small square of fine mesh screen. You can also place a paper coffee filter or a layer of folded newspaper over the hole.
Are pots without drainage holes bad?
If water does not have a way to drain freely, it gets trapped inside the pot and eventually deprives the roots of oxygen, creating roots rot, which is fatal to plants.
Why do plant pots come without holes?
Another important function of drainage holes is to allow water to flush the soil of excess salts from fertilizers. As SF Gate puts it, “If you water with a fertilizer solution, the salts also build up in the soil and, without drainage holes, you cannot run pure water through to rinse out the salts.”
Should I put rocks in the bottom of my planter?
A: For years, experts told gardeners to put a layer of gravel, pebbles, sand or broken pieces of pot in the bottom of the pot before potting up houseplants or outdoor plants. The idea was to improve drainage. But research shows that this advice is wrong. Water doesn’t travel well from one medium to another.
How do you fill a large planter?
How do you line a large planter?
Line the entire planter with a sheet of plastic, trimming it so that it reaches but does not go over the rim. Staple the plastic all the way around the rim. Using a screwdriver or sharp stick, poke through the drilled drainage holes to let excess water drain out of the plastic liner.
Is one drainage hole enough for plants?
The construction and size of the pot also determines how many drain holes you need. Clay pots are porous and tend to draw water out of the soil. They dry out quickly and plants grown in them require frequent watering. One drainage hole is usually sufficient.
