Drainage hole for planter too big?

Question

Girlfriend bought pot for indoor plan, but the pot has big drainage hole on the bottom. Re-planted plant into it, soil seems dry all the time even after soaking it with water. When I water the plant, the water streams out pretty fast out of the bottom. Perhaps the hole is too big? Do I need to buy another pot or can I fix the oversized hole?

Answer 1

Rocks probably won't hold as much water as you need unless you can find a good sized rock that will lay pretty flat. You can use about anything to help plug it up like a piece of an old plate or coffee cup just don't use anything metal. Make sure and leave enough opening so that it can drain slowly and place a drain plate under your plant to prevent water from getting on your furniture etc...

Answer 2

If you have water running out of the pot and the soil is damp, you're probably overwatering it.

Don't water until the soil feels dry when you poke your finger into it..

Good potting soil is supposed to hold the amount of moisture the plant needs and let the rest run off. If the soil is running out when you water it, then put the stone over the hole, if not.. don't water so much!

If you completely block that hole up, your plant will drown.. so be careful.

Answer 3

The problem may not be the container. I had the same problem with one of my plants. All four of the containers were identical, but the soil was different in the problematic container.
Short of changing the soil, you may want to invest in a porous plant waterer. I bought one at a yard sale...50 cents.
My plant waterer is a frog. There is an open area to hold the water, and there is a "root" that pushes into the soil to allow the water from the reserve to seep very slowly.

Answer 4

have you put stones in the bottom?

This is great for drainage.

Once the soil gets saturated with water the surplus will end up on the floor if the whole is too big.

You also need to put something like a dish or drainage tray underneath the pot.

They should have them available at the store were you purchased the plant originally very inexpensive.

Good luck

Answer 5

I put a piece of heavy plastic in the bottom and put a few small holes in it. Put a little gravel on top fill with potting mix. Give enough drainage, doesn't dry out too fast.

Answer 6

If you take an old clay pot and break it up into pieces. Take a few of those pieces and put at the bottom of the pot first. Then add dirt on top of the pieces and continue to replant.

Answer 7

placed some small rocks or gravel then some packing peanuts or a similar lighter weight cloth. The rocks will enable drainage and the peanuts will make the field lighter. upload some potting combination a minimum of 18 inches deep.

Answer 8

I would try moisture retention soil from miracle gro. You could even add some gravel to the top of the soil to retain surface moisture.

Answer 9

cover the hole with something ,and the easy thing to put in bottom of the pot is polystyrene it,s much lighter it,s recycling and the root,s don,t mind it

Answer 10

No rocks around? Any plastic lid with a smaller hole punched into it will work. (lid from butter container, peanut butter lid, cool whip, ect) You could also try dirt that has those little white specs that holds moisture.