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How to Drain Potted Plants
How to Drain Potted Plants. If you don’t drain your potted plants properly, they can develop root rot and most likely not recover. When soil in a potted plant stays wet, there is not enough space for air to reach the roots. Poor drainage also can keep a plant sitting in stagnant water, and that's unhealthy, as well. It's important to pot your...
If you don’t drain your potted plants properly, they can develop root rot and most likely not recover. When soil in a potted plant stays wet, there is not enough space for air to reach the roots. Poor drainage also can keep a plant sitting in stagnant water, and that's unhealthy, as well. It's important to pot your plants properly so they can drain thoroughly.
Things You'll Need
Gravel
Drill
Potting soil
Plant your potted plants in pots with drain holes and with well-draining potting soil. Drill a hole in the bottom of the pot if it doesn’t have one. This way you can thoroughly water your plant and rid it of excess water.
Lift out the potted plant that from its decorative container and place it in a sink when you water it. This way, you can drain water from the first before you put it back in the decorative container.
Inspect your double-potted plants frequently to make sure there is no standing water. If so, take the plant out of the decorative pot and empty the standing water.
Layer gravel in the bottom of the decorative pot if you are double-potting. The gravel will help to prevent the plant from sitting in standing water.
Tips & Warnings
Always water plants that have drain holes over a sink or tub so you don’t ruin your furniture or floors.
Don’t put a layer of gravel at the bottom of the soil in your potted plant (the pot your plants is in, not the decorative pot). This will cause water to sit in the soil above the gravel and take up air space.
Don’t use pots with permanently attached saucers on the bottom. These saucers can accumulate excess water, prevent your plant from draining and keep the roots wet.
