Many plants do not tolerate waterlogging. Potted plants in particular are at risk because the water in the pot cannot drain naturally. However, many planters are too good to drill a hole in them. On this page you can read about the alternatives to the usual drainage.
Expanded clay can replace drainage holes
Expanded clay as an alternative drainage
What is expanded clay?
Expanded clay (€19.73) consists of low-lime clay, with which the manufacturer mixes organic material. During production, the useful bucket filling goes through the following processes:
- shredding
- cleaning
- homogenization
- Heating to 1200°C in a rotating kiln
In the end, reddish-brown, swollen balls are formed that are 100% germ-free and contain only mineral substances. This results in the following advantages:
- no chemical ingredients
- biologically neutral
- optimal drainage for plant pots
- resistant to fungi and pest infestation
- durable
- air and water permeable
How to use expanded clay
Always fill expanded clay as the bottom layer in your planter. Layer the potting soil on top of that. You should adjust the height of the expanded clay layer to the volume of your bucket. The following values apply:
- Small planters and balcony boxes: (€109.00) about 1 cm
- medium-sized planters: 5 to 12 cm
- tall, slender planters: a layer of gravel (alternatively an insert) under the expanded clay to increase stability, otherwise also 5 to 12 cm
How does expanded clay prevent waterlogging?
With constant watering, conventional potting soil compacts over time so that the water can no longer drain away. Expanded clay, on the other hand, absorbs water and does not compress due to the airy structure with numerous cavities.
Plant pot without drainage hole
However, expanded clay cannot always be used as drainage. Whether the alternative is suitable depends on the location.
Indoor plant pots
Expanded clay is ideal for drainage here, since indoor models usually do not have a drainage hole on purpose. So you don't need a coaster, but can place the bucket directly on the windowsill.
Outdoor planters
Outdoor planters are exposed to heavy rainfall on some days. Even expanded clay cannot absorb heavy rain. These models require an additional hole.