Drilling holes in cast iron planter

Smo
by Smo
I have a very old cast iron planter, but it doesn't have drainage holes, so the water just pools up. Is there any way to drill holes into it without damaging it?

  9 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 20, 2018

    Plant in a container with drainage holes and place inside the other container.Make sure you empty it on a regular basis

  • Lsherbach Lsherbach on Mar 20, 2018

    I would say probably not, but you can place an Inch or two of pebbles in the bottom to keep your plant's feet from getting soaked, and/or you can use a pot with drainage holes that fits inside the cast iron planter

  • Ken Ken on Mar 20, 2018

    You should be able to use a metal cutting drill bit and not damage the planter. Use a little oil of any kind to lubricate and cool the drill bit.

  • Linda Linda on Mar 20, 2018

    Dont know the size of container but I have seen empty plastic water bottles used as filler for larger containers.

  • Susan Susan on Mar 20, 2018

    If you can’t drill holes, put about an inch of rocks so your plants won’t rot. Or plant some water plants in it.

  • Caroline Forwood Caroline Forwood on Mar 20, 2018

    I would add pebbles either way. May need to coat it with paint to prevent rust. Put high humidity needs plant!

  • Emily Emily on Mar 20, 2018

    I once had a cast iron plant stand, I melted paraffin to put in the bottoms of the plant holders. But if yours is a single unit, the stones would be a good idea and maybe some sort of base for them that is impregnable by water as eventually the iron would corrode.

  • Ro Ro on Mar 20, 2018

    Put a planter inside the planter

  • Judith Judith on May 04, 2020

    I have an iron bed frame and I want to insert castors. There are no holes in the bottom of the legs.