The Hard Truth about Rocks at the Bottom of Planting Containers (2024)

FAQs

The Hard Truth about Rocks at the Bottom of Planting Containers? ›

Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants. Instead plant roots encounter saturated soils that don't drain efficiently.

The only reason to put a rock in the bottom of the planter is to cover the drainage hole and keep soil from coming out when you water your plant. Only use one rock per drainage hole. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!

One of the best things to put at the bottom of a planter for drainage is broken pieces of pot. You can use any unwanted plant pots or chipped crockery for this – simply smash them up into small to medium-sized pieces. Adding a layer of broken pieces of pot like this will prevent compost loss out of the drainage holes.

You can drill your own holes in non-draining pots, but a layer of rocks at the bottom does not add drainage. In fact, it creates large pockets in which water collects and breeds bacteria. The best succulent soil in the world can't prevent rot in a non-draining container if you aren't careful with watering.

FAQ About Pots Without Drainage Holes

Others, however, caution against this method, going so far as to call it a myth. “Rocks allow space for water to gather. However, you will find that the moisture still needs to escape somehow, likely back up into the roots, which isn't good for a plant's root system,” says Golen.

Don't put rocks in the bottom of a planter with no drainage hole. Water only gets into the rocks once that bottom layer of soil is totally wet, but when that bottom layer of soil is soaking wet and higher in the pot. because of the rocks, the roots stay wet longer, and that means root rot.

Add a layer of drainage material to the bottom of the pot. This could be rocks, pebbles, or broken pottery shards. Choose the Right Plant: Opt for more forgiving plants of occasional overwatering, such as pothos (Epipremnum aureum).

Succulents need good draining soil. When planting in the garden, make sure the area drains well and is not in a low spot that would stay wet. For container planting, you can purchase cactus soil or incorporate sand, gravel or volcanic rock into your potting soil for better drainage.

As we get our containers ready for planting our amazing annuals or that coveted tomato plant, conventional “wisdom” dictates we must first add an inch or so of gravel. Problematic? You bet! Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants.

What kind of rocks to put in a planter? ›

The first type of rock commonly used for drainage is simple gravel. Gravel is cheap, weighty, and small enough to mix into the soil uniformly, in most cases. It's good as a stabilizer for top-heavy plants and can come in handy for filling gaps in large pots.

We offer quite a few great options with bulk delivery right to your driveway, so it's not surprising customers need help choosing. The fact is that pea gravel is the best gravel for drainage. It's unique size and shape and loose structure allows water to flow through it without issue.

The permeable nature of landscape rock also aids in minimizing puddling and standing water, creating a visually appealing and functional drainage system for gardens and outdoor spaces.

You can also boost a potted plant's airflow and water drainage by adding different materials and aggregates to the potting soil. Materials like perlite, coarse sand, clay aggregates, vermiculite, and compost can all improve the structure of your plants' soil and prevent them from becoming too impacted.

A: You should avoid putting rocks in the bottom of your garden bed. A common myth is that this will improve drainage. Instead, this can actually increase water saturation levels as well as allow gravel to mix in with your soil, which can prove very difficult to remove later on.