Let’s face it, nursery pots/plastic pots are not the most aesthetically pleasing. They are flimsy and do not always go with your house’s interior. That said, these pots have a key attribute that is important for plants: drainage holes.

What are drainage holes?

These are holes located at the bottom of planters, and drain excess water from your plant. Whether you are a green or black thumb, you know that watering your plants is important for their health. What might differentiate green and black thumbs is knowing to not let your plants sit in water for too long. This can lead to root rot, and even gnats or fungus.

This doesn’t mean that your house plants are limited to nursery pots, just make sure their new pots have drainage holes. However, we do recommend keeping new plants in their nursery pots for a while before repotting, so as to not overwhelm your plant. If its roots are poking out of the drainage holes (also why drainage holes are so important), it is a sign your plant is in need of a new pot.

Other than for drainage and monitoring your plant’s growth, drainage holes have another benefit:

Bottom watering

Bottom watering is perfect for plants with luscious or broad foliage like snake plants. Snake plants can have dips between each leaf, and water can be (unknowingly) left in between when top watering. This can cause rot, and even fungus and gnats. Gnats usually lay their eggs on damp topsoil, so bottom watering is ideal for preventing gnats and fungus, especially during the summer months.

How to bottom water:

Bottom watering will only work with plant pots with drainage holes. In a bowl or tray, fill with water until halfway. Then, place your plant into the bowl. We often get asked how long to leave plants in water when bottom watering. Our suggestion is 15-20 minutes. Your plant will soak up exactly what it needs, no more no less, another benefit of bottom watering!

If your planter does not include a drainage hole, we suggest tipping your pot over after watering. This will get rid of any excess water, but it is also important to understand the material of your pot, and whether it is porous or not.