Do Clay Pots Need a Hole at the Bottom for Drainage?

Purpose of Drainage

• Excess water collects in the soil after watering, leading to soggy soil. The overly wet soil suffocates and drowns the plant roots, eventually leading to rot and plant death. All clay pots must provide some form of drainage so the excess water can escape from the soil. Unglazed pots do wick some moisture out of the soil through their sides, but they don't lose moisture in this way quickly enough to prevent soggy soil. While many pots supply drainage from drilled holes in the bottom, there are other drainage options that work well for some plants.

Location of Drainage

• Most purchased pots include a drainage hole in the bottom, but some clay pots may have holes in the side near the bottom edge. Both types of drainage holes are sufficient. Clay pots with a large, single drainage hole in the center of the bottom may lose soil through the hole during watering. Do not plug the hole to prevent soil loss, as this also inhibits proper drainage. Lay a sheet of metal mesh or landscaping fabric inside the pot before adding the soil. The mesh allows moisture to drain while keeping the soil in place.

Gravel Drainage

• Clay pots that don't contain drainage require modification to grow plants successfully. A common method used involves lining the bottom of the pot with a thick layer of gravel before adding the soil and plant. Unfortunately, this method doesn't provide sufficient drainage. The moisture collects in the gravel layer, where it is reabsorbed into the soil above. The soil becomes soggy due to the improper drainage, eventually leading to the decline and death of the plant.

Double Potting

• If the pot doesn't contain drainage holes, you can still use it for decorative purposes by employing the double-potting method. Fill the clay pot with a 2- to 4-inch layer of gravel. Instead of planting directly in the clay pot, place your plant in a smaller plastic pot that does supply drainage holes. Set this pot inside the prepared clay pot. You must check the water level in the gravel bed at the bottom of the clay pot regularly to ensure the bottom of the plastic pot doesn't become submerged in the water.