Why I avoid using rocks as “drainage” #plantcare #planttips #wateringplants #plants

[LizC-hqtt]

I have tried and tried to explain this to my mother-in-law... She's a serial killer when it comes to plants, LOL...

[The.weaving.witch.]

Stares at my thriving plants with no drainage.... "you good?"

[enzaffre]

I have drainage holes on all my pots, I just use a few rocks to help make sure the soil doesn’t just flow out with the water lmao

[imtiazhalder]

What if we use a pot with drainage hole and rocks at the bottom? Will it damage the roots?

[redkites]

We use earthen pots here mostly in India. We love clay pots with holes below. And we use broken pot pieces as a barrier for pots with large holes, so that we don't lose too much soil during watering. My parents and grandfather love plants so we do these things seriously... 😅

[Gabble]

Totally agree! This was my absolute plant-life saver tip! Nursery pots with a nice pot over them is my key to keeping the plants healthy and avoiding root rot!
I just drown them when I water them, then wait for some minutes to let the water flow through the nursery pot into the outer pot and remove the water afterwards. Sometimes I check again after some hours of new water is in the outer pot and remove it again.

[deejackson]

i have around 36 houseplants in various pots many with no drainage and many with rocks, they're all thriving and have never been in danger or root rot -- just water your plants at the right time and in the right amount

[ashlynalingh]

This reminds me of when I took a plant and soil science class and the only reason that people use rocks is to help with their soil texture and rate of drainage however it should still have holes at the bottom for excess to drain through like always. If your plant needs more moisture in the soil use a more clay based soil, if they need a more dry and loose soil use a mixture of dirt and sand. I always make my own potting mixes because each plants needs can be different.

[EtrnayDad]

As someone who's grown potatos in a bucket. Rocks and sticks for drainage worked well

[ariel.awaitss]

I agree! But so many of my pots were gifted to me and they don't have drainage. I use rocks for those, and when I repot every year, I find that the roots PULL UP the rocks and I have stones all throughout my root balls. But never root rot.

[lil.obsidian]

You give me the confidence to go forth and buy more plants that I can actually keep alive 💖 thanks girl

[jenXMAGA]

I drill EVERYTHING! Large guage diamond tip bits, plumbers putty, water, BLAMO! BIG HOLES 🤣

[anneavery]

I have mine all in plastic nursery pots with drainage inside of decorative pots. I put rocks in the bottom so the pots don't sit in the water that drains after watering (and I do tip the water out every week because it gets stinky)

[thefungifam]

In my country they are sold as outerwear for the plants, they isnt ment to house your plants but to make it look pretty while hiding the comfy granny-panties of a pot inside. And for aded bonus you do not need to worry about water getting everywhere.

[TheJacquiLove]

I’ve had around 6 plants with rocks at the bottom with no issues at all. You just have to water less and in small amounts :)

[tallulahraccoon]

If you just chuck random rocks in a pot, of cause you will get root rot. But if you do it properly with plant clay balls and plant fleece, you are fine. I also don't let freshly bought plants accumulate before repotting. Out of the bad store soil and into new soil it is. Never has a plant died of that either. But you have saved some of my green darlings by explaining direct/indirect sunbathing. ❣️👍

[skit]

i wish more pots had proper drainage holes

[rebeccaschultz]

This is really helpful, thank you Krystal!

[pavansai]

Exactly.... rocks at the bottom can be one of the major culprits for root rot after over watering 🤧 finally someone shares same experience

[ashyhutson]

I use rocks at the bottom but only with shallow rooted plants. This definitely doesn’t mean you can’t rot your roots but for someone who can balance the right amount of water it doesn’t hurt. Just most people don’t know.