How to Make a Drainage Hole in a Ceramic Pot

You can add a drainage hole to a ceramic pot.

You may find a beautiful ceramic pot that would be just perfect for a patio planting except for one thing -- no drainage hole for extra water. Since few plants like to have wet feet, it’s worth remedying the situation. With a bit of effort, your beautiful pot can be filled with blooms.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Nail
• Specialized drill bit
• Drill
• Water or turpentine

1. Set the pot upside down on the newspapers to absorb vibration.

2. Scratch out an X-shaped starting point with a nail.

3. Place a ½-inch spearpoint or diamond bit in the drill chuck, also sometimes sold under the name of a glass and tile bit. Drill through the bottom of the pot slowly, starting at your marked X.

4. Dust off any chips and plant.

Tips & Warnings

• You may run water over the area to be drilled, while using a cordless drill, to reduce chipping and cool the bit. Alternatively, you could use turpentine.

• Cover the bottom of the pot in pebbles or pottery shards so that the soil does not come out.

• If you use the water, make sure you're using a cordless drill to reduce the risk of electrocution.

References

• You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening; Gayla Trail

Resources

• Diamond Sure: Materials for Diamond Drill Bit Use