Indoor plant pots without drainage are a polite way to kill a plant. The decorative ceramic with no hole at the bottom traps water against the roots, and even the hardiest pothos eventually rots. The real trick is finding pots that have drainage AND look beautiful AND don't pour water onto your floorboards. Here are the ones our team uses.
Our team’s top picks
D'vine Dev Glazed Ceramic Pot with Saucer
- Multiple sizes 6–12"
- Matching glazed saucer
- UV-stable colours
- Honest pricing
La Jolíe Muse Ceramic Plant Pot
- Decorative finish
- Drainage hole and saucer
- Good value mid-range
- Multiple colours
Bergs Potter Hoff Series
- Italian-made unglazed terracotta
- Hand-finished, generations of craft
- Beautiful patina with age
- A heritage piece
POTEY Ceramic Hanging Planter
- Glazed ceramic with cord
- Drainage hole + integrated tray
- Multiple finishes
- Strong adjustable cord
Costa Farms Ecopots Sustainable Planter
- Made from recycled plastics
- Built-in saucer with drain plug
- Lightweight at scale
- Multiple sizes 8–18"
What to look for in a indoor plant pot with drainage
- A matched saucer (sealed glaze, not raw terracotta) catches drips without ruining floors.
- Look for unglazed inside surfaces if you're growing succulents — they breathe.
- Cork or felt pad on the saucer base prevents furniture marks.
- Stoneware is heavier but more stable than earthenware — less likely to tip with a tall plant.
- A drainage hole at least 12 mm wide doesn't clog with potting mix.
Frequently asked questions
Do indoor pots really need drainage holes?
Yes, with very few exceptions. Without drainage, you have to water perfectly every time — and most of us don't. Pots with drainage forgive over-watering by letting excess drain into the saucer.
Can I drill a drainage hole in a ceramic pot?
Yes — with a diamond-tipped masonry bit, water cooling, and patience. Or use the cachepot method: keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot, slip it inside the decorative ceramic, and lift it out for watering.
Glazed or unglazed pots?
Unglazed (terracotta) breathes through the wall and is best for cacti, succulents and Mediterranean plants. Glazed retains moisture and is best for tropicals and ferns.
Why do my pots leave marks on the floor?
Either the saucer is unglazed (it absorbs water and seeps onto the floor), or the saucer leaks at the seal. Use a sealed glazed saucer, and add a felt pad underneath as insurance.
Bottom line
If you only take one thing from this guide, it is that quality matters more than spec on paper. The picks above have been chosen because our team uses them or trusts them — not because they are the most expensive or have the flashiest marketing. Buy once, garden often.
