Dominating Drainage: A guide to healthy roots
What is drainage and why is it important?
Like any living thing, houseplants require a certain amount of time, effort, and affection to thrive. Water is an essential, if not the most important element to a plants success. Without water, plants will die. With too much water, they can also die. This is why proper drainage is essential to a healthy plant. Drainage allows the excess water the plant does not take in to leave the plant's roots. Without proper drainage the water will sit in the pot and will likely cause the roots to rot, or "root rot" as we plant people call it.
So how can you be sure this doesn't happen to your little leafy friend? Let's start with the soil.
The bread and butter of a plant: SOIL
Whether you are new to the world of houseplants or you've been doing it awhile, it's a good bet that you know the importance of the soil. The soil a plant is potted in is the bread and butter of its care.
A plants soil requires oxygen. It needs to be loose, and it needs to allow water to transfer out of it when the plant does not need it. A thick soil mixture will be guilty of trapping the water, thus resulting in root rot.
When curating the proper soil, it is best to make somewhat of the mixture on your own. Grab a bag of houseplant soil from your local nursery. I always also opt for a bag of perlite as well, and make a mixture of 1 part perlite to 2 parts soil. Perlite is excellent at maintaining a light airy soil, creating oxygen that is essential for the roots.
If you want to take it a step further, you can add orchid bark. Many plant parents use this as an extra precaution, as wet soil is known to welcome pests such as fungus gnats. This step is not necessary but is something to keep in mind when you are more comfortable with soil mixing down the road.
A proper soil mix will allow better allow drainage even if the pot it sits in has no drainage holes. Which brings us to our next element....
Picking the Perfect Pot
When buying a plant, let's face it, half the fun is picking out a cute pot to go with it!
Look for something that has a hole in the bottom, so excess water can run out. Terracotta is a great, inexpensive option that allows for optimal drainage. Most terracotta pots have a drainage hole, and if they don't, their clay makeup is designed to whisk away any extra moisture in the soil. Terracotta is perfect for plants that like to be kept especially dry, like Sansevieria (snake plant).
If you prefer something a little more chic, reach for a ceramic pot with drainage. A glass pot should be your last option, as it won't take away the moisture away as quickly. Glass pots are ideal for plants that like to stay moist, such as Alocasia's.
Whatever pot you decide, be sure it's not too big. The plant should just fit into the pot. Anything larger can create more room for water to sit.
If the pot you've got your eye on isn't designed for house plants (bowl, pottery piece, up-cycled glass dish of some sort), this is okay, you'll just need to take an extra step to ensure proper drainage.
There are 2 different ways you can achieve drainage using a no-drainage pot.
Rocks. Adding a layer of rocks/gravel to the bottom of your pot will allow a place for excess water to go instead of sitting in the soil. Tip: Use rough rocks, not smooth pebbles, as pebbles won't soak up the water as easily.
Nursery pot. This is my go to method when I either don't have a proper pot handy or want to maintain moisture in the soil. Many plants are sold in plastic nursery pots to begin with, so all you need to do is sit it in a pot. The extra water not used in watering will always drain out, and it keeps the decorative pot it is sitting in basically mess free. Nursery pots are ideal for plants that like to be kept moist. I keep my Alocasia's and ferns in nursery pots because they tend to lock in moisture for longer than a Terracotta.
If you use either of these methods, just be sure to adjust your watering accordingly. Less watering may be necessary, depending on the plant.
Observation
After potting your plant, keep a close eye on how it adjusts to its new lifestyle. Yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering, and brown crispy leaves are a sign of under-watering.
If you notice your plant doesn't seem happy, consider altering the potting method you used. Creating a proper soil mix, ensuring drainage, and correct watering are important initial steps to your plant's healthy life.
Be sure to check out our Thrifty, thirsty, and thriving blog post below for more information on up-cycled, environmentally friendly drainage dish options.
Comments