Improving drainage for an already potted plant, particularly if the pot lacks sufficient holes, often requires methods that work around the existing container setup.
Adding drainage to an already potted plant depends largely on the type of pot you are using and the current issue. For pots without drainage holes, the most effective approach is often not modifying the pot itself, but changing how you use it, or improving the potting mix.
The Best Solution: Use as a Cachepot
According to the reference, the best solution when dealing with a pot without drainage holes is to use it as a cachepot.
- What is a Cachepot? A cachepot (pronounced "cash-po") is essentially a decorative outer pot that has no drainage holes itself.
- How to Use It:
- Keep your plant in its original nursery pot (the usually plain, often plastic pot with drainage holes it came in).
- Place this nursery pot inside the decorative cachepot.
- When you water the plant, excess water will drain through the holes in the nursery pot into the bottom of the cachepot.
- Crucially, do not let excess water stand in the cachepot. After watering, lift the nursery pot out of the cachepot and empty any accumulated water from the bottom of the cachepot. Let the excess drain completely from the nursery pot before returning it to the cachepot.
This method ensures proper drainage while allowing you to use a decorative pot that lacks holes.
Alternative Method: Layering Materials
The reference also mentions that layering materials at the bottom of the container can help improve drainage. However, it notes this is not the best solution compared to using a cachepot setup.
- Common Layering Materials: These might include gravel, stones, pottery shards, or perlite placed at the very bottom of the pot before adding the potting mix.
- Limitations: While this layer creates a space for water to collect, it doesn't truly allow water to escape the pot. This can still lead to waterlogged soil just above the layer, potentially causing root rot. Water accumulation at the bottom can also create a perched water table, keeping the soil wetter than is healthy for many plants.
Therefore, while layering materials is a possibility mentioned, it is generally less effective and riskier than using a pot with drainage holes or employing the cachepot method.
Improving Drainage Within the Pot (If it Has Holes)
If your already potted plant is in a pot with drainage holes but still drains poorly, you may need to address the potting mix itself. This usually involves repotting.
- Repotting with Better Mix: Gently remove the plant from its current pot. Remove as much of the old, poorly-draining soil as possible without damaging the roots significantly. Repot the plant using a fresh, well-draining potting mix suitable for your specific plant type. You can amend standard potting mix with materials like:
- Perlite
- Coarse sand
- Orchid bark (for epiphytes like orchids)
- Pumice
Ensuring the drainage holes in the pot are not blocked is also essential.
In summary, for an already potted plant lacking drainage, the most recommended strategy is using the pot as a cachepot with the plant in a separate, draining inner pot. While layering materials is an option, its effectiveness is limited. If the pot already has holes but drains poorly, repotting with a better soil mix is usually necessary.
