Should Planter Boxes Have Drain Holes? — Bob's Wood Stuff (2024)

The short answer is yes, planter boxes should have drain holes. Proper drainage is critical to growing healthy plants, because the roots need access to air. Plants sitting in stagnant water have a high chance of developingroot rot, which is a serious and often lethal condition for plants. If your plant has yellowing leaves and leaves that droop and sag but don’t perk up after a watering, it may have root rot.

In addition to preventing root rot, having good drainage can also prevent a buildup of salt in the soil. Tap water contains salt, especially if you live in an area with hard water. This salt accumulates in the soil over time and creates an unhealthy environment for growing plants. With good drainage, the salt flows out of the planter and doesn’t build up and cause problems.

Drilling holes in planters for drainage

Additionally, with large planters it is good to add drainage holes in the side near the bottom. These holes can be smaller than the holes in the bottom, like 3/8″ diameter. These side drainage holes allow for even better drainage, and can improve root health.

Can I use pots that don’t have drainage holes?

You can drill holes into pots that don’t already have them. For plastic pots, use a handheld drilland a regular twist drill bit. For drilling holes into ceramic or terra cotta pots, it is best to use amasonry bit.

Test your drainage by testing moisture content

An easy way to test the drainage on your pots or planters is to use amoisture meterin the soil, like the one pictured below. These devices will definitively tell you if the soil isdry,moist, orwet. They are fairly inexpensive, and operate with no batteries required. To get a good idea of the water flow in your garden take multiple measurements to see how the moisture content of your planter fluctuates throughout the day.

If the soil isdry, you might not be watering enough, or you need to add some soil amendments that improve water retention. Water can also be lost through evaporation on the surface, and a good way to prevent that type of moisture loss is to put mulch on top of the soil.

If the soil ismoist, that is the preferred environment for plants, and your drainage is good.

If the soil iswet, you need to improve the drainage by adding more drain holes in the planter box. Some soils that are heavy in clay content can also retain too much water, so make sure you are using soil that is recommended for raised beds and planters.

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