Do plant pots need drainage holes?
Wondering if your plant pot needs a drainage hole? Learn why they matter, how to prevent root rot, and the best workaround for pots without holes.
There are a lot of opinions out there about whether or not your plant’s pot needs a drainage hole. Some plant parents swear by them, while others insist you can grow healthy plants without one. Here’s the truth about drainage holes—and how to make any pot work for your houseplants.
Quick Answer: Yes, most plant pots should have drainage holes to prevent overwatering and root rot—but there’s a simple workaround if yours doesn’t.
What does a drainage hole do?
If you’ve ever picked up a pot for your plant and wondered, “Why on earth does this pot have a hole in it?” or “Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of a pot?”, you’re not alone. That small, round hole is there to allow water to run through the soil and out the bottom of the pot. Again, seems counterintuitive, right?
Why Drainage Holes Prevent Root Rot
While plants do need water, too much water can be harmful, especially if it’s sitting stagnant in the bottom of the pot, right where your plant’s roots are. When roots sit in soggy, waterlogged soil for too long, it prevents them from getting any airflow which then leads to root rot- an issue that can stunt or even kill your plant. That drainage hole prevents the water from sitting in there too long and gives the soil a chance to dry out and the roots an opportunity to breathe.
What to Do If Your Pot Doesn’t Have a Drainage Hole
It’s true; not all decorative pots come with a drainage hole already in them. If this is the case, you have three options:
1. Risk it for the biscuit. If you’ve got a good handle on watering houseplants or have one that can tolerate the soil being a little more moist at the bottom, then you may be able to get away with a pot without a drainage hole.
2. Add a drainage hole yourself. While adding a drainage hole to your pot is a fairly easy task, it does require a drill and special drill-tips that can cut through the ceramic or glass. Positively, once you have these tools, you can add drainage holes to any of your pots in the future (because let’s be honest, you’re definitely getting more plants at some point).
3. Easy Fix: Use the Nursery Pot Trick. Just stick your plant, nursery pot and all, into the decorative pot and voila- it’s ready to go. Keeping your plant in the nursery pot works because it already has holes in it for the water to drain out of the soil. The water that drains out will sit around the outside of the nursery pot instead of in the soil, and the soil at the very bottom will take up water as needed. Plus, checking if the plant needs more water is as simple as pulling the nursery pot out of the decorative pot. Added bonus: you don’t need to worry if the decorative pot is a little too big for your plant!
Let’s recap.
Drainage holes are beneficial to your plants and soil because they allow any extra water to drain out of the pot and allowing your soil to dry, which helps prevent root rot and fungus gnats. While you’re free to gamble with putting your plants into pots without drainage, you can easily add a hole to your pot on your own. However, the simplest solution is to leave your plant in its original nursery pot and put the whole thing into the decorative pot of your choice; no muss, no fuss.
FAQs
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It’s a common myth that rocks improve drainage—but they actually trap water above the rock layer, keeping roots soggy. It’s better to use a nursery pot inside your decorative pot or drill a proper drainage hole.
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Some hardy houseplants like pothos, ZZ plants, peace lilies, and certain succulents can tolerate pots without drainage holes, but they still need careful watering. Always check that the top few inches of soil are dry before watering again.
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Use less water than usual and pour slowly so the soil can absorb it evenly. Stop watering as soon as you see moisture pooling on top. You can also use a moisture meter to avoid overwatering.
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Use a power drill with a diamond or ceramic bit and apply light pressure. Go slowly and keep the drill tip wet by using a spray bottle with water to prevent cracks. Once you’ve added a hole successfully, you can do it for any other decorative pots, too.
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In most cases, <strong>yes</strong>. Drainage holes help prevent root rot, fungus gnats, and mineral buildup</from tap water. If you prefer pots without holes for aesthetic reasons, keeping your plant in its nursery pot inside the decorative pot is the easiest workaround.
