Imagine you've just carefully selected a few adorable succulent plants at the garden centre and are excited to bring them home. After placing these little guys in beautiful pots, you may face a crucial question: Do the pots need drainage holes? The answer is an absolute yes! Let's delve into why drainage holes are essential for the healthy growth of succulent plants. 

Drainage Holes: The "Lifeline" for Succulents

Succulents are easy to care for because their leaves and stems can store large amounts of water, enabling them to thrive in dry environments. However, this doesn't mean they enjoy being "soaked in water." If the pot lacks drainage holes, excess water from each watering cannot escape and accumulates at the bottom of the pot. Over time, the soil remains constantly moist, preventing the roots from breathing properly and leading to root rot. Once root rot occurs, the succulent plant's growth will stall, the leaves will become soft and limp, and in severe cases, the entire plant may wither and die. 
Many people enjoy placing succulents on balconies and windowsills or using them as indoor decorations. Whether in sunny California or the climate-diverse New York, installing drainage holes is a crucial step in caring for succulents. Drainage holes ensure excess water drains promptly, keeping the soil well-aerated and creating a healthy growing environment for the plant's root system. 

What if there are no drainage holes? 

If you have already purchased a pot without drainage holes but still want to use it for succulents, there are a few methods you can try:
Drilling holes: Use an electric drill or specialised ceramic drilling tools to carefully drill several small holes in the bottom of the pot. Be sure to wear safety goggles and gloves to avoid flying debris. 

Add a water-separating layer: Place a layer of clay pellets, gravel, or pine bark at the bottom of the pot. These materials create a drainage space, allowing excess water to collect below and separate from the roots. However, this method is only a temporary solution and cannot fully replace the function of drainage holes.

Nesting method: Plant the succulent in a small pot with drainage holes, then place this small pot inside a decorative pot without drainage holes. After watering, promptly drain any accumulated water from the outer pot to prevent waterlogging. 

Care tips

In addition to ensuring the pot has drainage holes, some care details can help your succulent thrive: 

Choose the right soil: Use specialised succulent soil, which is typically a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, offering excellent drainage and aeration. You can also make your own by mixing coarse-grained soil and peat moss in specific proportions. 

Control watering: Follow the "water thoroughly when dry" principle. Wait until the soil is arid before watering, and water until water flows out of the drainage holes. You can determine whether watering is needed by observing the condition of the leaves. If the leaves become shrivelled and soft, it is a sign of water deficiency. 

Provide adequate sunlight: Most succulents thrive in sunlight, requiring at least 4–6 hours of light daily. However, during the intense midday sun in summer, provide some shade to prevent leaf burn. 

In summary, drainage holes serve as a "gateway to life" for succulents, effectively preventing waterlogging and root rot, thereby keeping your succulents healthy and vibrant. Next time you plant succulents, don't forget to leave a drainage hole in the pot! If you have any other tips for caring for succulents, feel free to share them in the comments section so we can all grow these adorable little plants plump and vibrant!