Get the Scoop on Indoor Pot Drainage Holes & Bringing Your New Plants Home

It may be tempting to immediately transfer your new plant from its nursery grow pot to a pretty planter once you bring it home. However, allowing your plant to acclimate to its new surroundings first will lead to better results.

Transitioning to a new environment can be stressful for a plant, as it adjusts to varying light, humidity levels & temperatures. To avoid adding more stress, it's advisable to let your plant remain in its grow pot for a while. Firstly, position your plant in its designated spot and allow it to adapt for approximately 3-4 weeks. Following this period of acclimatization, you have the option to keep it as is or transplant it into a decorative planter.

Some pots come with drainage holes, while others do not. This simple difference plays a crucial role in potting, plant care & maintenance. However, whether your pot has a hole or not should not deter you. If you have a specific style or colour in mind, we can show you how to make it work effortlessly.

Drainage holes in pots allow excess water to escape after watering, preventing water from accumulating at the base & safeguarding delicate roots from rot, fungus, and bacteria. But they can also be messy so be sure to have a drip tray underneath.

In pots without drainage, water sparingly & slowly as every drop stays in the container. Watering gradually helps distribute water evenly through the soil, preventing pooling at the bottom. Soil additives prevent soil compaction & water repellence in your houseplants. These amendments not only enhance aeration but also aid in uniform water distribution. Common additives include perlite, pumice, vermiculite, orchid bark, and horticultural charcoal. Pay attention to the soil, it makes all the difference! Our knowledgeable staff can always recommend the best soil for your needs.

The traditional method used to involve placing a drainage layer at the base of your pot using pebbles or broken terracotta before adding the potting mix. The purpose was to trap water and avoid the roots from being exposed to excessive moisture. While this approach may temporarily create a reservoir for excess water, it is not a long-term solution. The water tends to accumulate at the bottom of the pot without proper drainage, eventually reaching the soil level of your plant. Stay tuned for a better solution!

If you’re feeling a bit intimidated about the extra work associated with potting a plant in a pot without drainage, here’s a simpler solution: No Drainage Hole, No Problem! 

Pots lacking holes at the base are commonly known as sleeves, overpots or the French term; cachepot - A decorative piece to match your home decor intended to hold the plastic pots from the nursery.

Why opt for the cachepot? They present numerous possibilities for creativity & flexibility. They can even simplify the watering process. With a cachepot, you can effortlessly remove your plant for watering or change, avoiding the need to handle the extra weight during rinsing or moving around your home. Lift the plant out, water it & return it to its cachepot once the excess water has drained. Also, your plant won’t be nearly as heavy to move if you decide it might like a different spot in your house better. You can even add some decorative moss, pebbles or stones at the top to cover the plastic pot.

If you value aesthetics above all else then don't fret about whether the pot has a hole or not. You can make it work either way. Just remember, regardless of the pot you select, it's simpler to change things up by not planting your plants directly into their planter. By keeping them in their plastic pots and using the planter as a decorative cover, you'll have the freedom to easily switch things around whenever you feel like it.

If you stumble upon a lovely planter that complements your home decor but lacks drainage holes, remember that you can plant in a cachepot the French way!