What can be used as drainage: traditional and unconventional options
Drainage, which can be found at the bottom of any pot with indoor plants, is designed to remove water and saturate the soil with oxygen.
An expert of the online publication Belnovosti, agronomist, and landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh listed the types of materials that can be used for these purposes.
The most popular material is nothing more than pieces of foamed and baked clay, known as expanded clay. It perfectly maintains the water balance in the soil, has a long service life and is inexpensive.
Materials such as perlite and vermiculite are much more expensive. They are sold ready to use, have good permeability and are not associated with oxidation or decay processes.
It is impossible not to mention such materials as crushed stone, pebbles or gravel. Despite the fact that they can be mined absolutely free of charge, do not forget about the disadvantages of using such options. Among them are significant weighting of the pot and the ability to absorb cold.
Alternatively, you can use broken ceramic pottery. Ceramic shards are fairly light, have excellent water drainage, and do not absorb moisture, but are rarely available for sale.
Red brick is similar in its characteristics to expanded clay, as it contains clay, so it can also be used as a drainage layer.
Charcoal will also do a great job of drainage. Since it has antiseptic properties, you can be sure that the plant is reliably protected from pests and diseases.
Finally, it is worth saying a few words about moss. Sphagnum, being an environmentally friendly material, easily absorbs and releases moisture. Before laying the drainage layer, do not forget to soak the moss in warm water.
