Everything you need to know about drainage plates for planters

When it comes to home gardening there are a lot of things that are discussed. These can be suitable plants, ideal planters that can host these plants, fertilizers, possible pest attacks & their treatments. However, there is one thing that often goes unnoticed & undiscussed. With this article, we are trying to throw some light on this topic. It is the drainage plates that you can consider for your planters. These plates are best buddies for your planters. So, if you are tired of the mess that takes place due to excess water that is drained out of planters, this article can help you find a suitable solution.

What are drainage plates?

At the bottom of the planters, there are drainage holes. These holes allow excess water to pass out of the potting mix. This way there is enough aeration that is maintained. If the planters are kept outdoors, then this drained water is not much of an issue. However, when it comes to indoor planters, things can get a little messy. To collect this excess water, drainage plates are very useful. These plates come in different shapes and sizes. You can pick up sizes that can fit well with your existing planters.

What drainage plates are made up of?

Drainage plates can be made up of PVC plastic. These plates are highly durable and can easily last a few years. However, there are now many options for drainage plates in the market. You can now pick up such plates made up of ceramic, terracotta & even metal. Terracotta & ceramic plates may require additional care while handling.

How to use drainage plates?

You can place a drainage plate below each planter. Make sure that there is at least a one or two-inch gap between the bottom of the planter and the edges of the drainage plate. Remember to empty the drainage plate every day. You can take out the planter and empty the water from the plate to a bucket and then give it to plants outside. If planters are heavy, you can soak the water using a sponge or a dry cloth. You can take out all such plates and wash & allow them to dry at least twice a month. This way you can ensure that there are no mosquitoes breeding in these plates. Though these plates are supposed to collect water, there will be some amount of clay deposit in plates. It’s a nutritious clay & you can think of reusing it in other plants if it is possible.

Choosing the right drainage plate

There are many things on which the size & shape of the drainage plate depends. It can be the planter, the kind of plant that you are planting & even the potting mix. There are some plants that grow well in well-drained soil whereas others may grow well in soil with heavy clay content. So, the drainage from the planters varies from case to case. Also, plants need less water during rainy seasons & winter seasons whereas in summers you might have to water the plants twice a day. Based on all these parameters the percentage of water percolation varies as well & so does the size of the drainage plate.

Secondly, the material of your planter matters as well. If your planters are made up of terracotta or ceramic you can consider getting drainage plates made up of these materials. If handling such brittle material is difficult for you, you can stick to firm & sturdy options of PVC or metal drainage plates. You can also think of concrete plates as well.

Love colours? Go for it

If you love colours, then you can choose coloured drainage plates as well. You can choose complementary colours or the same colours as that of your planters.

Do all planters need drainage plates?

While most planters need drainage plates, there are smart planters that are equipped to hold the drainage water. These planters have a cap at the bottom that you can open & empty the excess drainage water in any other container. With this feature, you can prevent your floor from getting dirty. India’s leading designer planter manufacturer Bonasila has developed these planters. These planters are a great combination of utility & beautiful aesthetics.

These planters are made from fibre-reinforced polymer & painted with automotive-grade paints. So, they are highly durable in nature. The vibrant colour options that project happiness, allow you to pick up a colour that can blend in smoothly with your interior design themes.

About Bonasila

Bonasila is a leading FRP planter manufacturer based out of India. Bonasila offers the largest collection of designer planters with 35 designs including 226 SKUs with 12 matt and gloss colours. In addition to this 4 Textures and 14 Rustic finishes are available. If you are thinking of getting FRP planters that can transform your interiors, then a quick visit to this website can teach you a lot. You can read their previous blogs to know more about gardening, space transformations, planters & a lot more.

We hope that this article helps you. Got any queries? Feel free to join us in the conversation in the comment section.