Stepping into a house with potted plants as decor is not unusual—people enjoy a plant or many in their homes. Some may opt for fake plants, while others enjoy the beauty of a real plant. A variety of plants do well indoors, some you do not have to water as often, such as cacti or snake plants, while other plants do not need much sunlight. No matter the home’s condition, there is always a plant that can and will thrive inside that home. Some believe plants improve the quality of their atmosphere and air, providing a stronger need for them. No matter the intended purpose of plants in a home, all potted plants should have a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.

While a pot without a drainage hole might provide a better aesthetic and reduce mess, having a drainage hole in the bottom of a plant pot also keeps your plants healthy. Every plant suffers the dangers of being overwatered, especially when the plant is a houseplant and the owner is a new plant owner. Overwatering is dangerous and often kills plants relatively quickly, but with a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, the chances of overwatering your plant and killing it are reduced. The drainage hole allows for extra water that the plant and soil cannot absorb to drain out. This may seem unconventional and messy but a saucer underneath the pot will help with this excess water if you do not want to water your plants in a sink or outside. Sometimes pots even come with their own saucer for this purpose. If the pot itself does not come with a matching saucer, plastic saucers are also made to catch excess water and prevent damage to whatever the pot sits on. However,  plastic saucers are less sustainable and will not last as long as a normal plate, which in the long run, does not cost much more. 

Plants that do not have proper drainage can also develop root rot, as a result of the soil constantly being soggy and the roots being wet from the excess water. Root rot can start in one section and then spread to the rest of the roots, essentially ruining the entire plant. In addition, excess water and moisture can prevent the roots from breathing, drowning the plant and, as a result causing them to die. Plants may be strong, but as strong as they are, they are also delicate and need care. Do not drown your plants and cause them harm, get your plants a pot with a drainage hole!