skip to main content

Ask The Yard Doctor Container Gardening Small Spaces / Urban Gardening

Pots with no drainage

nancyjane_gardener

2 years ago

A local 100 year floral place closed down a couple of years ago and I kinda went crazy, buying pots, shelves etc etc.

With our drought the last few years, I didn't notice that there was no drainage holes in these pots, and with a good amount of rain so far this year, I'm noticing that the geraniums are in a pool and turning yellow and probably dying.

I can pull the geraniums and plant in other pots and hopefully save them, or just do some starts from other plants.

The question I have is can I carefully drill some drainage holes in these ceramic pots in order to over winter plants in the future? Or will they crack and break?

They are ceramic with a glaze.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

2 years ago

^^^ I do exactly the same :-) All of my houseplants are potted in very utilitarian containers - plastic or clay/terra cotta depending on the plant. But all get slipped into a decorative ceramic container when brought back inside from summer vacation. Some have drain holes....some do not. But none are planted directly into the ceramic containers for the same reasons popmama lists above.

Comments (9)

seasiderooftop
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Hi!

I had the same problem about a month ago with a pot that was beautiful and perfect except for its lack of drainage hole.

Short answer: Yes you can!

I didn't even have a drill so I did it manually with the tip of the blade of a scissors to start the hole and then a pen wrapped in coarse sandpaper. Then I moved on to a sharpie wrapped in sandpaper to enlarge the hole. Haha yes it did take a while, but not that long either. The ceramic is quite easy to carve out . It does leave a bit of a mess of powdered ceramic behind so preferably do it outside.

The glazing did crack and chip a little around the hole, but since it's hidden from view at the bottom of the pot I didn't mind.

I don't know what would happen with a drill though, for ceramic the store recommended a diamond drillbit but I was not about to buy a powertool just for a single pot.
kitasei2
2 years ago
Yes you csn drill a home you can also use the container as is for a plant that likes wet feet — elephant ears? Ensata iris? forced bulbs (if you control tge depth of water)?
Related Discussions
Brug in pot with no drainage hole
Q
Comments (8)
I wouldn't advise keeping your plant in a pot with no drainage holes, even if it's in another pot. Isn't your deck treated? You shouldn't have a problem with staining from plants if the pots are plastic. If they are terra cotta or something similar you can just elevate them on something or better yet buy those little "pot feet". Barry is absolutely right about the size of the pot for a mature brug. 2 gallons is way too small. Good luck. Hope you get lots of blooms this season. Karyn
...See More
New pot with strange drainage contraption--does it really work?
Q
Comments (7)
I've never tried them but if you're worried about the reservoir getting too full (and that's a good thing to worry about), you could just drill a hole in the side of the pot at or near the top of the reservoir. The reservoir will fill to the spot you choose and the excess water will spill out the side instead of going up past the reservoir. Here's what I'm thinking though: If the water is low enough in the reservoir that the roots don't get root rot, then that means the roots aren't touching the water....what's the function of the reservoir? If your roots can get to the water in the reservoir, that means their sitting in water and they could very easily start rotting. I think your gut reaction was right. I don't trust this drainage either. Besides, it's such an inexpensive and simple design. If it consistently worked the way it was supposed to, every single one of the commercial nurseries would have jumped all over it. Especially here in So. Cal. where water restrictions are putting wholesalers out of business. They'll try anything to save water at this point. I would just punch holes in the bottom and use it like any other pot.
...See More
hoyas in pots with no drainage hole
Q
Comments (6)
I would not plant it directly into anything without a drain hole. It is just too easy to overwater and kill the plant that way. If it is falling over and that is the only problem, why not just set it into the coffe mug? You can either just set it in or if it is too large, you can put that gravel on the bottom of the mug and then set the plant on top of it. That way, if you do get heavy handed with the water, it is easy to see it, and dump some out. If the plant is too small for the pot it is in, you can pot it up into something larger (with a drain hole) & then set that into something sturdy also. Plants that are falling over, I usually put into hanging pots or baskets & hang them up somewhere.Or you can add a small trellis. Just a matter of choice. Marcy
...See More
Succulent in a pot w/o drainage holes?
Q
Comments (2)
You can have them survive, but it is much more difficult to have them thrive/do well. Pebbles, charcoal, etc. will not help. You should do it by weight, never excess water, and only when the succulent is showing dehydration/need for water. Do not water as regular and draining the water from the side of the pot doesn't really fix the problem either. If you are starting out... not the best idea. Either get a pot with a hole or get a diamond drill bit and drill a hole in the cup. You can buy drill bits for ceramics and glass at the hardware store, just do it slowly and with some water.
...See More
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
2 years ago
Sure. I don’t get along well with power tools so I ask hubby to drill holes for me.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Drill from the outside inwards to avoid splintering and flaking of the glaze. Use a masonry bit.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
2 years ago
If you think of it like this, these glazed containers are a lot like your bathroom ceramic tile. There are a bunch of tips on how to drill holes in ceramic tile to prevent the glaze from shattering. I know some recommendations include using a piece of masking tape at the site where you are going to drill. Water also helps and a good masonry drill bit. You can do it!

Alternatively you can use these pots as cachepots. Grow the plant in a nursery pot with drainage, then plop that into your nice glazed pot. When it rains, just pull the nursery pot out and dump the excess water in the ceramic pot. Put the nursery pot back. Voila!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
Yes, pots without drain holes are intended to be used as cache pots and not planted into directly. And not all will accept adding drain holes equally. Some may be quite a bit more fragile than others and drilling can damage them beyond repair.

If it is a pot you especially value, maybe save for cache pot use only and plant into something that the potential for damage does not cause concern.
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks everyone. Now I have a new project!

I think I will change over to the cache pot method cause I like to change out the flowers in my front yard with the seasons.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
2 years ago
I use a lot of my vintage pots that do have drain holes as cachepots too. Because I don't want to plant directly in them and risk breakage along the way somehow. Plus I like to change plants around a lot!

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

HOUSEPLANTS One Pot, One Big Shot of the Tropics

By creative jewish mom.com

Give your rooms exotic flair in a single stroke. Tall Kentia palm fits the tropical bill beautifully

HOUSEPLANTS 12 Potted Plants That Make Long-Lasting Holiday Gifts

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

A miniature conifer, blooming amaryllis or desktop succulent could be the perfect gift for someone on your list

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Uncommonly Attractive Pots and Planters

By My Paradissi

Cultivate some personality indoors with plant containers that are as unique as the greenery they hold

CONTAINER GARDENS Solve Your Garden Border Dilemmas With Planted Pots

Set your containers free from the patio — placed among plantings in the ground, they fill unsightly gaps, let you experiment and more

CONTAINER GARDENS 10 Repurposed Containers for a One-of-a-Kind Potted Garden

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Unusual containers, including bamboo steamers and vintage olive buckets, can spice up your plant collection

SPRING GARDENING How to Grow a Rose Garden in Pots

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Everything can come up roses, even without a plot of soil in sight. This step-by-step guide to growing roses in containers shows you how

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

DECORATING GUIDES Conjure a Jungle in a Pot

By creative jewish mom.com

Sprawling, climbing and with primitive-looking leaves, philodendrons bring untamed beauty to even the most civilized homes

FOLIAGE The Right Touch: 13 Soft, Fuzzy Plants for Gardens and Pots

By Marianne Lipanovich

Brush a hand on velvety foliage or fluffy plumes for a sensory garden experience beyond sight and smell

GARDENING 101 How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Don’t have much space for a garden? All you need is a sunny spot and a large container to grow this favorite summer crop

Sponsored

More Discussions

Are my newly viburnums dead or dying?

3

Can I recover the structure of this tree?

0

Cement or pavers- which is better?

9