Growing pot
It has holes that allow water to leave the root zone.
Practical plant care
Drainage pot or decorative cover pot?
A drainage hole lets the whole root ball be watered and excess escape. A cover pot can add stability and style, but its base needs checking after every watering.
Cover pot
It may have no outlet, so collected water must be removed manually.
Drainage layer
Stones in a sealed pot do not replace a real exit for excess water.
More useful detail
How to narrow down the cause
Follow the water
Water should wet the root ball evenly, leave through the holes and then be removed from the cover pot.
Check after watering
Returning to the pot after drainage has slowed prevents roots from being left in standing water.
Guide
What to do step by step
- 1
Check that holes are not blocked by roots or deposits.
- 2
Water outside the cover pot or empty it after drainage stops.
- 3
Inspect the base before the next watering.
Observation
What to watch next
- Water exits freely.
- The cover pot stays dry between waterings.
- Roots never sit in standing water.
Important
Do not rely on a layer of clay pebbles as a substitute for a hole. In a sealed container, excess water still remains around the roots.
Sources and further reading: Royal Horticultural Society — How to repot a plant
University of Maryland Extension — Watering Indoor Plants
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Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.Prepared by Florli. Reviewed October 15, 2026. This is general guidance. Sources are listed with each guide, and every decision should reflect the species, location, weather and the plant’s current condition. How Florli creates its guides.