For more details, review my privacy policy. And it’s so easy. Here are a few tips showing you how you put a drain hole in all of those nice containers and not break them. With these, you can drill larger holes with less chance of breaking the potential planter. For concrete, however, I recommend using only a masonry bit. Water is your friend. Drill Holes In Concrete To Drain Water August 16, 2020 Drainage hole in a concrete planter drainage hole in a concrete planter china rotary drilling rig 60m rock soil how to plant water succulents in pots services aquadrill Graptosedum AKA California Sunset Succulents – A Comprehensive Guide, Mammillaria Elongata AKA Ladyfinger Cactus – A Care Guide, Sempervivum Arachnoideum AKA Cobweb Houseleek: Complete Care Guide, Dudleya Succulents – An Ultimate Care Guide. i was using a cordless drill. Do you have the necessary bits, though? I was kind of amazed by how many people found the information useful, but I guess a lot of pots come with no drainage holes! That’s because a lot of concrete drilling jobs require a hammer drill—the concrete is usually just too thick for a regular drill, and you need more power. A lot of planters we buy with or without plants in them have no drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. I then flipped the pot upside down and began applying medium pressure as it slowly worked through the concrete. If the pot is still wet, put a few pieces of tape on there, it’ll stick eventually! It will always help. Think about what size would … Some people like to go the DIY route and drill a hole in their favorite planter with no drainage. I don’t have a hammer drill, though. We know that good drainage is the key to healthy plants, but the containers that we find most attractive are often the ones without drainage holes. If you’re using a regular drill, make sure you buy a bit that says it is for “rotary drills.”. Never push the drill. The key to properly drill drainage holes is using the correct drill bit. I was hoping there would be a way to turn terracotta saucers into bonsai pots. (There wasn’t any, but you can never be too safe!). Personally, I like corded drills like the one pictured. Drill drainage holes. You have to apply a fair bit of pressure to get it going. Another interesting tool that some people use for drilling a drainage hole is a rotary tool often referred to as a Dremel. Put the pot back in the water for a couple minutes. These are common in most drill bit sets, so check if you have them. That was extremely helpful! They have a special tip that helps them burrow into the material to create a hole. Start slow until you’ve got a groove then speed it up. Want my 60-page guide all about 8 of the easiest houseplants to care for? Since the curly locks on this plant look so gorgeous hanging over the side of the pot, I decided to use a new leather plant pot holder I got to hang it from a front window. But almost everyone already has a drill. Place the bit above where you want the hole to be, and pull the trigger! Drill Gravel Drains. You can also stop occasionally to replenish your water, that’s not a problem. If your drill has a cord I would not advise this: electricity + water = electrocution. Drilling Holes. They have a special tip that helps them burrow into the material to create a hole. If you’ve got a buddy to help pour while you drill – you’re in good shape. Repeat the process. Some people recommend starting at an angle and moving up only once you’ve chipped the pot or gotten a hole going. Table of Contents Can’t Get Rid Of Succulent... Have a question or comment? Start planting! Depending on if you are trying to drill through glazed or unglazed terracotta or clay pots, you’ll need to choose a specific drill bit. Fortunately, with the right tools, it’s not hard to put a hole or two into a mug. Making Drainage Holes in a Metal Container. Should I Water Before or After Repotting? A good rule of thumb for the number of drainage holes needed is 3-4 holes for 36 inch planters, and 4-6 holes for 46 inch planters. how to treat Fungus Gnats infestations now! Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. Start slow, but as soon as you have made that initial indent, go fast. To drill a drainage hole in a terra cotta clay pot, start by letting it soak in water overnight to make the clay easier to drill into. Thank you for posting this! I actually used a masonry bit to drill into ceramic, too—despite the particular bit not being designed for ceramic. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago. We were both very happy with the outcome – a perfect hole, no cracks, and lots of opportunity to let him know how helpful he was and how appreciative I was for his help! You’ve realized that drainage holes are a crucial part of your plants’ health. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. Otherwise, I’ll assume you can imagine what tape looks like on the bottom of a pot. Depending on how meticulous you are being, you might need a set of masonry bits of increasing sizes. If you’re using a hole-saw bit, just use whatever size you want the hole to be. Wondering if you can drill drainage holes in a concrete pot? It will be difficult for your drill to find purchase on pot, and painter’s tape fixes that. After drilling the hole, I placed a pieces of a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot, added a thin layer of perlite for enhanced drainage, and then planted my gorgeous new curly locks cactus (epiphyllum monstrosa, which has care needs very similar to the night-blooming epiphyllum I’ve written about!). They spread the pressure out on the pot, and reduce the likelihood of shatter. Drill slowly and steadily. Don't Know How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats? DRILL Holes! A Drill The tape is more important for glazed pots though, so I wouldn’t recommend skipping it. A great benefit to drilling holes in your yard and filling them with organic matter is that you are providing a way for water to drain. Both can be drilled – though pottery in … For this concrete planter, I'm using a 3/16" and then a 5/8". Drainage holes provide an exit route that allows excess moisture to seep out after a plant has been watered. To avoid damaging the base of the plant pot holder, I set the pot on a piece of cork that was just the right size! (I drilled two holes because my pot was extra large.) It turns out that it’s easy, and you can do it with a regular drill. But we can drill the drainage holes by ourselves, and it is much easier than what most of us would expect. Some say a cordless drill works best and allows the user more control. Sublime Succulents may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. It’s all yours! We LOVE our plants but overwatering your plants is just as bad as NOT watering your plants! Sometimes people try to put in holes with a hammer and nail, but that’s a recipe for disaster. Pretty easy so far, right!? It kept the drill cool so it kept its temper. Proper drainage is necessary for your plants to thrive.. A container garden that is kept outside receives rainwater in addition to routine watering by the gardener. Because they are specially made to go through stuff like pots. The beauty of this method is that you can drill drainage holes in so many different types of pots, including glass, ceramic, concrete, granite, travertine, marble, etc! (said like Tony Beets) Yes, this is the most fun way of making the drainage holes. If you need a bigger hole, switch to the next size up. And that’s it—I can easily take the pot down to water the plant, letting the excess drain into the sink. Shocking It could be the face drain holes are hidden behind the trim across the bottom, if your sure there is none then measure about 10mm up from the bottom of the frame and drill a 1/4" hole, you will probably get a stream of water as it drains away. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Also: How to Water Succulents Without Drainage. But one of the two most important things to remember here in drilling drainage holes is to use a MASONRY drill bit. Glaze is very slippery, so tape helps a lot with that initial indentation you’re trying to form. Put tape over the area you intend to drill, How to Water Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide. We’ve been drilling our own drainage holes in ceramic, clay and glass containers for several years. Get it up to a … You’ll need a drill in order to drill. The FIRST thing that you’ll need to do is put on your safety glasses and gloves THEN proceed with the drill. Thank you so much! These bits are specially designed for tough materials like concrete and brick. If your planter is finished with glaze or something similar, you’ll want to use a glass/tile drill bit. Plastic nursery pots generally have several small drainage holes at the bottom (even better! Slow and steady is how you wanna play this one. Keep the drill bit and pot surface wet with the spray bottle. Just a college kid sharing everything he learns on the path to transcendence via succulents. If it is impossible to drill holes in your container, try using it as a decorative pot in a “double potting” system. It doesn’t need to be a lot, it just needs to be cool and frequent. However, consider the overall planter width and height before drilling. For a large planter, consider using a larger drill bit or drilling multiple holes. Once I did the first hole, I drilled two more. Ignore it at your own risk. You don’t want ceramic dust in your eyes. I've marked that hole with an asterisk. 2. If your pot came without a drainage hole, see if you can drill holes in the bottom. The painter’s tape keeps the drill bit from moving around before you get traction from the bit going deeper than the surface. And there are a lot of people out there who might want to drill a hole in something that wasn’t originally designed to be a planter (like a teacup?). The DEWALT drill pictured here is an excellent quality drill, and easy to use for beginners (most importantly it won’t break the bank). If you are using a set of drill bits, start with the smallest one. So I wanted to share a related tip on how to drill a drainage hole in a concrete pot. In a roughly circular planter, you will only need one hole at least 1/4″ in diameter. Wait. If the pot is thick, pause occasionally to blow the dust out. The answer is to drill your own drainage holes. How to Drill a Hole in a Ceramic Pot. Worked perfectly! No spam; unsubscribe anytime. No spam; unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions. Attach the hole saw bit to your drill. All we need is an electric drill and steady hands. I guess you don’t 100% need it, but it’s very helpful. Clean it up, wipe away the dust and dust-water. Mark the drainage-hole spots with a marker. Scratch a small ‘starter’ mark where you want the drainage hole with your nail to help the drill bit to stay in place. (Plus it’s good for her to see mom using power tools, right?). 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