Does a planter need to have holes in the bottom for good drainage?

Anita
by Anita
  8 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 19, 2018

    yes all pots should have drainage holes

  • Cyndi Valerino Cyndi Valerino on Apr 19, 2018

    Yes, it needs holes OR pebbles under the soil. Other wise, the roots will rot


  • Pjo26908388 Pjo26908388 on Apr 19, 2018

    It is best practice to have a hole in the bottom. When a pot does not have a hole the bottom of the pot can be filled with rocks, packing peanuts or pine cones to hold the water away from the soil and plants.


    If if there isn't a hole in the pot, sometimes one can be drilled. If not ise the above method and a potting soil with vermiculite (keeps soil from being to soggy.) Take care to water frequently but don't overwater. Plants will rot if there is too much water pooling within the pot.


    Many my of my pots don't have holes and are just fine.

  • Susan Massey Susan Massey on Apr 19, 2018

    Yes, otherwise water collects in the bottom and your plants drown. What I do sometimes is put rocks in the bottom of a planter with no holes and then put my potted plant in that, pot and all. The rocks hold it up just fine but you can't put that planter where it will be rained on or the water will really build up!

  • Absolutely, otherwise the plants sit in water and get root rot. If your planter does not have any, typically easy enough to drill holes if done with care. In certain instances you can plant in no hole containers, I have one on the side of my driveway, and I only water in summer, as the plants in there are shallow rooted, it is a deep planter, 28", and I filled the bottom with gravel.


    That being said, I do have some houseplants that are in pots with no holes. I have a pot in a pot, the plants are removable in a smaller draining vessel, I water in the kitchen sink, let drain, then return to the decorative, no hole planter.

  • Emily Emily on Apr 19, 2018

    Yep, just had to dig such a planter out from behind our tool shed for some violets husband bought me yesterday. Washed in it the kitchen sink where I noticed in the next sink that I had eyeglasses and a place mat in the drainer. Made me wonder if other hometalkers are like I am in this way of working!?!


  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Apr 19, 2018

    Absolutely, must have drainage holes - and some drainage material in the bottom,so soil does not run out. If you have a pretty container that does not have drainage, use another pot inside of that one.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Apr 19, 2018

    YES!