You chose a pot without drainage. Who can blame you? Often, the best looking pots don’t have drainage holes. Sometimes you can make your own hole, (with a special drill bit and a steady hand), but not all pots survive this well. One wrong move and you run the risk of cracking or even shattering your beloved little pot. Not to worry, there are ways to get around this and keep your plant happy in a pot without drainage.

Why Drainage Matters

Why is drainage so important in the first place? You may have noticed the water that seeps out of a pot is sometimes brown or yellow. This is because excess salts and minerals stream out with each watering, but without a drainage hole to escape, those minerals can build up in the soil. Drainage holes also help aerate the soil and prevent water from stagnating at the bottom of the pot. 

Break The Rules, But Spare The Plant 

As a rule you should always try to provide drainage for your plant, but I think it’s okay to ignore the rule in short-term situations. The key is knowing exactly how much water your plant needs. If you’re confident about how to care for your plant, you can still provide a successful growing environment without drainage. It just takes more effort.

Tips For Success 

Here are some tips for success. Pour in an amount of water equal to about  ⅓ of the total volume of soil. This ratio should help you visualize how much to use, because once you pour it’s hard to keep track. 

You can also simulate drainage by tipping the pot and pouring out the excess water. Saturate the soil, hold down your plant, and let the surplus water run out. I do this with my small glass terrariums by gently holding rocks and small plants in place while I tilt the pot. Sometimes I repeat it a few times until the water looks clear. 

Beware Of Pitfalls

Pebbles, gravel, or activated charcoal will not make up for a lack of drainage and can even cause more problems. Water gets pulled upwards into the soil even if it is sitting in between pebbles. A layer of stones or gravel can increase the risk of mold and cause root rot or invite fungus gnats. Watch out for stinky odors that indicate mold and keep an eye out for moisture-loving bugs. 

Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment

Still want to use that pot without drainage? Hopefully this post hasn’t dampened your enthusiasm. Planting should be fun, so experiment and find out what works best for you. Enjoy your plant for a short time in its sealed pot, but if your plant starts to look unhappy, give it a pot with drainage so you can water without worry.