Should You Put Rocks in the Bottom of a Planter?
If you’ve ever planted in a container, you’ve probably heard the old gardening advice: “Just put rocks in the bottom for drainage.” While it sounds logical, we couldn’t disagree more! Adding rocks can actually trap water, harm your plants’ roots, and even damage your container over time.
So, what really belongs in the bottom of your planter? High-quality potting soil—nothing else. In this post, we’ll share why this rock myth persists, what we use instead, and how to set up your pots for season after season success.
Why People Add Rocks (and Why It’s a Myth)
Healthy container gardens all need proper drainage. Without it, both your plants and your pots will struggle. In summer, trapped water can overheat and “boil” plant roots. In winter, that same water can freeze, expand, and crack your pots.
The popular advice to “add rocks” comes from a well-meaning idea that it will help water drain more easily. Unfortunately, it does the opposite. When rocks sit below the soil, they create a perched water table. This means water collects just above the rocks and keeps plant roots too wet for too long - exactly what you don’t want!
What to Put in the Bottom of Your Planter Instead
After 17 years of planting experience, we’ve learned this simple truth: the best way to protect your pots and keep your plants happy is to fill your container from top to bottom with well-draining potting mix.
- No packing peanuts
- No sticks or logs
- Definitely no rocks
Just soil!
At Perfect Pots, we trust Frey Brothers professional potting mix both in our greenhouse and at our customers' homes with our seasonal planting service. Frey Brothers' blend combines perlite for excellent drainage with coconut coir and peat moss to hold just the right amount of moisture. Water flows freely through your pot while roots stay perfectly hydrated—a winning combo for lush, healthy containers every season of the year.
The Role of Drainage Holes
Even the best soil won’t help if your pot doesn’t have a proper drainage hole—and that’s non-negotiable for healthy container gardens.
Some lower-quality pots skip drainage holes to cut costs, but this leads to more cost for you down the road - either in replacing damaged plants or cracked pottery.
At Perfect Pots, every pot we carry has a drainage hole. It’s one of the reasons we confidently call our pottery frost-proof. When filled top to bottom with soil, our pots withstand Pennsylvania’s toughest freeze-thaw cycles. If one ever cracks due to freezing temperatures, we’ll replace it. That’s how much we believe in our pottery!
You can browse our pottery here.
Tips for Healthy Container Gardens
Instead of rocks, try these simple tips to set your pots up for success:
- Use the Right Soil – Choose a potting mix made specifically for containers and outdoor use. (We swear by Frey Brothers! It’s all we use, and it’s always available for purchase at our greenhouse.)
- Water Regularly – Water needs change with the seasons. Check your pots daily in summer to keep plants hydrated and thriving.
- Consider Pot Feet (Optional) – While not usually necessary with our frost-proof pottery, pot feet can slightly lift containers for added airflow and drainage. Plus, some gardeners just like the look! We have our favorite pot feet available for purchase at our greenhouse.
With these easy practices, you’ll create the perfect growing environment for your plants—no rocks required.
Shop Our Well-Draining Pottery
With the right soil and proper drainage, your pots will stay healthy and beautiful for years to come.
If you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor space with high-quality, frost-proof pottery, now’s the perfect time! Our Summer Pottery Sale is happening July 1–September 1, 2025, with 20% OFF our entire collection—the largest selection of premium outdoor pots on the East Coast.
Stop by our Strasburg pottery yard to find your perfect match and enjoy beautiful containers designed to last through every season and for years to come