All plants need water to survive. … Drainage holes allow excess water to seep out of pots after watering, ensuring that water does not pool at the base of a pot, helping to protect sensitive roots from rot, fungus and bacteria.
Also, do you need to cover drainage holes in pots?
You can keep drainage holes in planters from clogging by covering them with a range of inexpensive materials before adding the potting soil. Doing so also will help keep potting soil from washing out of the holes when you water.
Also know, why do they make pots without drainage 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.”
What plants do well in pots without drainage holes?
13 Amazing Plants That Do Not Need Drainage Holes
- Snake Plant. One of the best indoor plants for beginners, the Snake plant is one of our top choices when it comes to plants that do not require drainage holes. …
- Oleander Plant. …
- Chinese Evergreen. …
- Kupukupu Fern. …
- Crotons. …
- Dumbcane. …
- Schefflera. …
- Pothos.
Should you put rocks in the bottom of a 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.
What can I put over 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.
Is one drainage hole enough?
Adequate drainage might be the single biggest factor in determining if container-grown plants live or die. … However, if a container or the potting soil doesn’t drain well, plants can drown or rot. All containers must have adequate drainage holes for excess water to drain.
What can I use to cover drain holes?
Use a filter to cover the drainage hole
Cut a small mesh screen to fit into the bottom of your pot. Plastic mesh works best – metal mesh can rust. Old plastic fly screens can also be used. Large pebbles that are irregular shape will cover the hole but not block the water from getting out.
How Big Should drainage holes be in planters?
You want large drainage holes; an inch in diameter is a good place to start. You can put drainage holes in almost anything by using a drill with the proper bit or a hammer and large nail. Put in as many holes as possible. It’s okay if the bottom of your container begins to look like Swiss cheese.
Can succulents grow in pots without holes?
Yes, succulents can definitely survive and even thrive in pots without holes. It all depends on how you care for the plants. The biggest problem that people encounter is with watering. People tend to overwater their succulents, which can be detrimental to these plants.
