How Do I... Make any Pot into a Plant Pot?
Finding the perfect pot and then discovering it has no drainage holes is annoying – fortunately you can drill your own
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Paul Bailey, tools buyer at Bunnings, provides a step-by-step guide to drilling drainage holes in a plant pot.
Photo: Susan Stieglitz
Get drilling
After working out which drill bit is right for your pot, drill between three and five holes in the base of the pot. Holes should be evenly spaced and large enough for water to drain, but not so big that the soil spills out.
Tip: You can add a piece of mesh or fly screen to the bottom of the pot to prevent soil from spilling out.
Get drilling
After working out which drill bit is right for your pot, drill between three and five holes in the base of the pot. Holes should be evenly spaced and large enough for water to drain, but not so big that the soil spills out.
Tip: You can add a piece of mesh or fly screen to the bottom of the pot to prevent soil from spilling out.
Take it slow
Be particularly slow and careful drilling holes into ceramic or terracotta pots, as the material can crack if you aren’t careful. It can help if you start with a smaller drill bit to make a pilot hole, and then move onto a larger drill bit for the final holes.
Be particularly slow and careful drilling holes into ceramic or terracotta pots, as the material can crack if you aren’t careful. It can help if you start with a smaller drill bit to make a pilot hole, and then move onto a larger drill bit for the final holes.
Finishing touch
Place your pot on a plate to catch the drained water, and insert your plant.
Place your pot on a plate to catch the drained water, and insert your plant.
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First off, you’ll need to choose the correct drill bit for the job, depending on whether your pot is plastic, ceramic, terracotta or timber. Most standard drill bits will work well on plastic pots. For ceramic, terracotta or any material that can shatter, it’s best to use a masonry drill bit in order to prevent cracking. If you’re drilling drainage holes into a wooden planter pot, a spade bit to carve the hole out is recommended.