I'm working on turning an old piece of furniture into a succulent landscape, but I'm facing a challenge since there's no drainage hole in this pot. I'm a bit worried about how to layer the substrate correctly to keep my plants healthy. I know shallow watering will be necessary, but I want to avoid overwatering or any risks that might harm my succulents. Any tips on how to make this work?
3 Answers
As others have mentioned, layering won't do much. Instead, just mix your substrate well to ensure it's gritty, and be mindful of your watering to prevent waterlogging. I've managed to grow various plants, including succulents, in non-draining pots for years without issues. Just keep an eye on your watering habits! If you have hard water, watch for mineral buildup since it won't flush out easily. But typically, your plants will outgrow the pot before that becomes a problem!
Layering won't truly solve the issue of excess water not escaping from the pot. Some folks use gravel at the bottom, but it really doesn't help because it just reduces the soil space for roots. If you water too much, the water just sits there, which can lead to bacteria growth and root rot. Also, think about the material of your furniture; it might mold over time if it gets too wet. It’s doable, but if you're not careful with watering, you could easily overdo it and stress your plants. Maybe consider a cache pot you can pull out for watering? That way, you could manage the water better!
Make sure your succulents are getting enough light! They thrive on bright conditions. If they don't get enough, they can become etiolated, resulting in weak and stretched-out growth. Keep an eye on their lighting conditions to prevent this!
Thanks for the lighting tip! They’re under several strong lights right now, but I want to move them to this landscape setup. I’ll definitely make sure they get enough light!