Introduction

I’m often asked how to improve drainage in pots. While there are a couple of basic principles that apply, you also need to take into account the type of pot you’re using and the plant you are growing in it. Here’s what I look at when I’m choosing pots and doing my best to improve drainage.

There are two basic ways to improve drainage in pots.

There are two basic ways to improve drainage in pots. The first is to add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot. This should be about 1/4″-1/2″ (5-13mm) thick, and should be at least as wide as the diameter of your pot. The second method is just like the first, except that instead of using gravel you use coarse sand.

Both methods will work well, but they have different pros and cons:

Look at your pots – their drainage holes and how they are arranged.

• Look at your pots – their drainage holes and how they are arranged.
• Look for holes in the bottom of the pot.
• Look for holes in the sides of the pot.
• Look for holes in both locations — on top and on bottom — if you’re trying to improve drainage on a regular, non-self-watering pot (like those used with oasis cubes).

Select a pot with a small footprint.

One of the easiest ways to improve drainage is to select a pot with a small footprint. A pot with a large footprint will have more soil, which means that water will take longer to drain out of it. There are several ways you can measure this; for example, if you lift your plant up and set it on your kitchen counter, there should be about an inch between the countertop and the bottom of your plant’s container. If there’s more than an inch between them, then it’s time to consider getting a new pot!

Make sure that the base of your pot is not resting in water.

• Make sure that the base of your pot is not resting in water.
• This can be achieved by ensuring that there is a drainage hole in the bottom of your container, or by placing it on an adequate tray or something else to catch excess water (note: this may not work for very large pots).
• It’s also important to avoid sitting your container directly into water—if possible, place it on an elevated surface so that you don’t get any unwanted moisture seeping down into your soil!

Select a pot with glazed walls inside.

• Glazed pot walls are smoother. This means that water will flow more easily through the pot, and there’s less chance for it to get stuck in nooks and crannies (which can lead to mold growth).
• Glazed pot walls stay cleaner. Because the inside surfaces of glazed pots are smooth, they don’t collect dust or other debris as easily as unglazed ones do. This makes them easier to clean!
• Glazed pots can be made from a variety of materials besides clay—they’re also available in plastic, concrete and metal (among other things). And if you’re worried about getting your hands dirty when planting something new, consider investing in some reusable rubber gloves before taking on this project!

Select pots that have drainage holes in the bottom and also on the sides of the pot.

For plants to thrive, they need to be watered occasionally. But if your plant pot has no drainage holes in it, then the water will not be able to drain away and may cause your plant’s roots to rot.

To prevent this happening, choose a pot that has several drainage holes in it. There should be at least one drainage hole on either side of the pot; this helps prevent any trapped water from causing roots to rot.

The distance between each hole is also important: if you have too many close together or too few spread out over a large area then water can’t drain properly which could cause problems for your plants. You should aim for around five centimetres (two inches) between each hole for small pots and up to 15 centimetres (six inches) apart for large ones – but make sure there’s enough space left so that excess soil doesn’t spill out! If you’re using artificial materials such as plastic or terracotta containers then make sure there are no cracks where water could build up against their sides; otherwise it could cause damage over time.”

Select a pot with a larger footprint vs deeper depth.

Selecting a pot with a larger footprint vs. deeper depth will allow your plant to grow in healthy soil and be well-drained, ensuring that it’s getting the right amount of water at the right time. A larger surface area also means more drainage holes, which helps disperse stagnant air pockets that can lead to root rot. This is especially important if you live in an area where heavy rains are common during the summer months.

A large pot allows for more oxygen and water evaporation than its smaller counterparts, thus providing your plant with optimal conditions for growth and development. Additionally, plants grown in these kinds of pots are easier to water and fertilize because they have fewer restrictions on their roots compared to potted plants housed within smaller pots (which often have very little room left over).

If you must use a deep pot, select one that has more drainage holes than usual.

If you must use a deep pot, select one that has more drainage holes than usual. A good rule of thumb is to get at least as many holes as the size of your pot. So if you have a 10-inch (25 cm) diameter pot, make sure that there are at least 10 drainage holes in it. The more drainage holes you have, the better!

If possible, go even further than this and try to find pots with lots of small holes instead of fewer larger ones. A lot of tiny holes will help prevent soil from clogging up your drainage system by allowing water to flow freely out through each opening until all excess moisture is removed from inside your container.

Create a “catch all” for your pots to sit on – like a tray or even an overturned nursery flat – to catch any water that drains out of the holes in the bottom of your pots, then water from the top until excess begins to drain out of the hole(s) in the bottom… This is where you know you’ve got enough moisture.

If you’ve chosen to use plants that are native to your area, or if you’re growing them from seed, and you have a small garden space with a few containers set up – then this is the ideal time to start thinking about drainage.

You can either create your own drainage solution by placing an overturned nursery flat over the holes of some of your pots (or all of them), and then watering from above until excess water begins to drain out of the holes in the bottom. This is where you know you’ve got enough moisture.

Get creative with what makes up your drainage layer when potting up containers. Options include broken clay pots, flat stones and coffee filters.

You don’t necessarily need to use old pots as drainage layers. There are plenty of other options, including broken clay pots, flat stones and even coffee filters. If you’re worried about the aesthetic of your pot looking bare or dirty because you don’t want to use the same materials that make up your soil (or you just don’t have any), consider using a layer of sphagnum moss instead. It’s pretty easy to find at nurseries or garden centers, and it will help keep excess water from seeping through the bottom of your container.

If you want something less organic-looking but still highly effective at keeping moisture out, try using gravel as a drainage layer instead: just make sure that it sits above where all your pots’ soil ends so that water doesn’t get trapped anywhere along with it! Otherwise, it’ll end up pooling at their bases rather than draining down into their holes—and then those plants won’t be able to take any advantage of those nutrients!

Another option is coarse sand; this tends not only drain well but also give plants good aeration when mixed into its soil mix (which we’ll talk more about below).

Improving drainage will help ensure healthier plant growth

Improving drainage will help ensure healthier plant growth.

You may have heard the term “drainage” used to describe your home, but what does it actually mean? To put it simply, drainage is the flow of water away from where it is not wanted. In the context of your garden, it’s important to consider how much water should be allowed to drain away from your plants. Plants that don’t receive enough water will wither and die; those that over-saturate can be stunted by rot or disease—or even worse! But if you choose plants wisely and create an environment where they can thrive without having too much or too little moisture at any given time then you’ll be on track for success in your own backyard!

Conclusion

Pots are a great way to add color and interest to your landscape, as well as integrate plants into hardscapes or areas where in-ground planting is problematic. But pots have some unique properties that must be considered when growing plants in containers. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your plants have the drainage they need for optimum health.