Well-drained soil is crucial for healthy plant growth. However, not all plants thrive in adequately drained soil.
There are certain plant species that can tolerate soggy soil for longer periods. Also, some plant species actually grow well in water.
If the planting pots and containers don’t have drainage holes, consider growing these plant species.
Plants that do well in planters without drainage holes
This article discusses some of the plants that can grow in a growing kit system, containers or pots without drainage holes.
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Sprenger’s asparagus fern
This fern grows perfectly fine in wet but well-draining soil. The Sprenger’s asparagus fern can therefore survive in containers with no drainage holes. This plant is a member of the lily family.
Homeowners love using this fern in their vertical gardens. The plant has cascading stems that make it a perfect option for hanging baskets. Although it looks delicate, this plant is robust and can survive harsh climatic conditions.
Moreover, Sprenger’s asparagus fern thrives in areas with high humidity. So, ensure you spray water on the plants frequently to maintain high humidity around the plant area. The leaves of the Sprenger’s asparagus fern can start dropping immediately after they dry.
Allow enough time between waterings to allow the plant to dry. This plant thrives in bright light. Placing it on a window sill or porch will boost healthy growth. Additionally, you need to fertilize the plant for healthy plant growth.
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Adam’s rib
Another plant that does not need drainage holes is Adam’s ribs. These plants have large, green leaves that grow up to 18 inches. More often than not, this plant can survive in a vase or planter with water for a long period.
The plant is a climbing plant and like the clematis vine is can thrive in vertical gardens. The best thing about this plant is that it requires low maintenance. All you have to do is keep the soil moist, especially during the dry seasons.
So, water them at least twice a week. However, during winter, water the plants once a week. Fertilize and prune them often to promote healthy plant growth.
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Chinese evergreen
The Chinese evergreen plant thrives in wet or moist soil. So, it can grow well in pots without drainage holes. One of the best things about the Chinese evergreen plant is that they bounce back easily even if you don’t water them.
Nonetheless, these plants are poisonous to pets. Thus, keep your dogs and cats away from them. The Chinese evergreen plant also grows well in areas with minimal light. In fact, gardening experts advise placing the plant in a room without windows.
Exposing this plant to bright and direct sunlight burns the leaves. Also, it would be best if you put them in areas with moderate room temperatures.
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Snake plant
Another plant on this list is the snake plant, which is a popular indoor plant that can survive in containers without drainage holes. These plants grow well in moist soil. However, you can damage them when you overwater them.
Note that you should never water the leaves of these plants. If you do so, you’ll damage the plant. Snake plants are pretty simple to grow especially when you propagate it. Also, they act as air purifiers.
These plants grow well in areas with medium to low light. Therefore, don’t place them near a bright sunny window. Water this plant at least once a week based on your region’s climatic conditions.
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Dumb cane:
The dumb cane thrives in wet soil; thus, it grows well in containers with no drainage holes. The plant is tall and incorporates less maintenance. If you are a gardening beginner, consider growing this plant. The plant does well in all types of light except direct sunlight. Full exposure to the sun damages the leaves.
Moreover, dumb can grow in different climatic conditions. Although the plant thrives in wet soil, it can still survive in drought conditions. Always mist the plant from time to time to prevent drying.
Also, fertilize the plant from time to time for the best results. One major downside of this plant is that it is poisonous; it contains harmful sap that can irritate your skin. So, keep it away from your children.
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Umbrella Schefflera:
The umbrella Schefflera can also thrive in containers or pots with no drainage holes. The plant requires less maintenance. But you have to make sure the soil stays moist. Although the plant thrives in damp soil, be careful not to overwater the plant.
Overwatering the plant will lead to the yellowing of the leaves. Once you notice the yellowing, give the plant enough time to dry. The umbrella Schefflera is a great plant that will boost the height in your garden. It can grow up to 50 feet tall. The plant grows well in bright, direct sunlight. Fertilizing the plant also stimulates healthy plant growth.
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Coleus:
Coleus can also grow well in containers with no drainage holes. Coleus is popularly known for boosting your home’s aesthetics. They have colorful leaves with pink and purple shades. They thrive in moist soil. So, when growing these plants, you need to ensure your soil remains wet at all times.
Coleus is a low-maintenance plant, hence, perfect for beginners. This plant can grow in different light conditions, including shady spots. Additionally, you need to fertilize this plant for the best results.
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Croton:
Croton is another beautiful plant that can grow without drainage holes. The soil, however, must be well-draining. These plants can grow up to 10 feet tall. Therefore, you need to get large containers for growing them.
You can boost the soil’s drainage by adding peat moss. Croton is a poisonous plant and can lead to skin irritation. Therefore, place it far from children and pets. The plant thrives well in bright light and humid conditions. Consider misting the plant from time to time to maintain high humidity in the area. Before watering the soil, ensure the soil is dry to avoid overwatering.
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Pothos or devil’s ivy
The devil’s ivy plant is a common indoor plant that survives in pots with no drainage holes. Pothos is simple to maintain and highly resistant to harsh climatic conditions.
This plant is hardy can grow up to 10 feet tall. They are a great addition to your home. However, the devil’s ivy is poisonous. It can harm pets and children. Put it somewhere your kids can get to it. Pothos grow well in areas with bright indirect light.
You should water the plant when the soil is dry. Although the pothos thrive in moist soil, they can withstand dry conditions for a long time. But this does not mean you should stop watering the plant.
The snake plant is a great plant to purify the air. If you wish to grow healthy pothos plants, grow them in vertical gardens and pots. Also, consider pruning them from time to time. Pruning helps in boosting new growth and keeping the plants in good shape. You can always place this plant in shady areas since it can withstand areas that receive limited sunlight.
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Lucky bamboo
Unlike most plants, lucky bamboo can thrive in water and wet soil. When you place it in distilled water, lucky bamboo can grow to its maximum potential. Nonetheless, you have to keep changing the water frequently to achieve excellent results. Thus, the plant can grow well in pots without drainage holes.
The plant often needs bright, indirect sunlight to grow. Note that higher light levels make the plant grow faster. Even so, note that the lucky bamboo is poisonous. Therefore, you have to keep it away from pets and children.
Final thoughts
Normally, a good percentage of plants grow well in soil with proper drainage. Very few plant species can thrive in soggy soils. But different plant species can grow well in containers with no drainage holes. Some of them include coleus, snake plant, and Chinese evergreen.
