It's difficult to grow plants in clay pots that don't have drainage holes.You can fix this problem by drilling your own holes into the clay pot, but you need to be careful not to break it.
Step 1: The pot needs to be soaked overnight.
Put the clay pot in a bucket and cover it with water.If you want to get the best results, soak the clay in the water for at least one hour.It is easier to drill through saturated terra cotta clay.Water acts as both a lubricant and a cooling agent, which makes it easier for the drill bit to work its way through without causing damage to the clay or overheating.When you are ready to drill through the clay pot, remove it from the water and allow any excess puddles of water to drain off the surface.
Step 2: Use drill bits.
Without much difficulty or damage, masonry drill bits should drill through unglazed, natural clay pots.Depending on the size of the hole you want to create, the drill bit size and number of drill bits will be different.If you want to make a simple drainage hole, you'll need at least one 1/2 inch masonry drill bit.If you want to minimize the risk of cracking the pot, it's best to use multiple drill bits.Start with a small drill bit and work your way up until you reach your final hole diameter.
Step 3: There is a piece of tape over the surface.
Place at least one strip of painter's tape or masking tape over the spot you plan to drill through.As you work through the surface of the pot, the tape can help prevent the drill bit from slipping.It can still help with soft, unglazed clay.A single layer of tape won't work as well as multiple layers.Even though the pot is moist, this may help ensure that the tape sticks on it.
Step 4: Start small
If you're working with multiple drill bit sizes, start with the 1/6 inch bit.Attach that drill bit to the drill now if you only plan to use a single size.If you want the greatest amount of control, use a variable speed drill.
Step 5: Slowly drill.
Turn on the drill if you want to drill through the center of the spot.Apply as little pressure as possible by working the drill through that spot at a slow, steady pace.The only pressure you should apply is to keep the drill steady.Allow the drill to drill through the pot.Working too quickly or with too much pressure could cause the pot to crack.You may want to clean the debris away from the hole if you are drilling through a thicker surface.It can help keep the drill bit cooler.After drilling your initial hole, remove the tape.It is not necessary to peel the tape as soon as you break through the surface.If the pot is well saturated, you shouldn't have a problem with the drill overheating, but if it starts to smoke and you have to dip it into water for a few minutes to cool it down.If you have a battery operated drill, you may be able to cool it by touching the tip of the bit to the water.If you're using an electric cord drill, do this.
Step 6: Slowly increase the size.
Change your drill bit when you drill a small hole through the pot.This new bit can be used to drill into the center of your previous hole.Slowly enlarge the hole and put less strain on the clay.Apply light pressure and drill slowly.Continue working through the different drill bit sizes until you reach the final size.
Step 7: Clean up.
Dust and debris can be cleaned from the surface of the pot with a damp rag.To make sure there are no cracks or chips in the pot, inspect it.This is the end of the process.
Step 8: Glass and tile drill bits can be used.
Glass and tile drill bits can be used to drill into glazed clay pots.The spear point head on these drill bits allows them to cut into hard, brittle surfaces with less pressure.If you were to use a standard masonry drill bit, you would need to apply too much pressure to break through the hard glaze, and the pot would likely crack apart.The diameter of the hole should be matched by the drill bit size.A 1/2 inch drill bit is enough to create a standard drainage hole in a medium sized pot.It isn't necessary, but you might want to consider using multiple sizes to reduce the risk of breaks in the clay.Start with a small drill bit and work your way up to the final size.
Step 9: Put the tape over the pot.
Place painter's tape or masking tape over the spot you plan to drill a hole in.The use of tape is helpful when glazed clay is slippery.The tape helps prevent the drill bit from slipping as you start drilling.One layer of tape should be enough in most cases, but multiple layers will provide greater traction and are less likely to peel away during the process.
Step 10: You can choose a small drill bit.
If you decide to work with several drill bit sizes, you should start with the 1/6 inch bit.Attach the drill bit to your drill now if you decide to use only one.A variable speed drill is strongly recommended.The fact that the drill is not corded makes it safer to use around water than a corded drill.
Step 11: The pot needs to be kept wet.
You'll be drilling with water if the surface is moist.Try to keep that surface wet.If you're drilling into the bottom of a pot, you can put a small amount of water over the top of the pot to work with.When you're drilling into a flat surface, it helps to have a constant stream of water pouring over it from a garden hose or faucet.The water acts as a lubricant, allowing the drill bit to work through the clay with greater ease and less pressure.It can prevent the drill from overheating.If you apply water to the surface as you drill, it won't hurt.
Step 12: Slowly work.
Put the drill bit over the spot you want to drill through.Use very light pressure to work through the surface.You should apply enough pressure to keep the drill steady.The drill should be allowed to do the actual work of drilling through the pot.The clay will be weaker when you are near the other side of the pot.Working too quickly will cause the clay to break.When drilling through a clay surface that is more than a quarter of an inch thick, consider pausing in the middle of the process and brushing away any debris.It can help prevent the drill from overheating.Once the drill bit breaks through the surface of the pot, you can stop drilling and remove the tape.You should peel the tape after you finish drilling the first small hole if you don't want to pause.
Step 13: The drill bit size needs to be increased.
If you've drilled a small hole into the pot, you should switch the drill bit for a larger one.Use the drill bit to drill through the hole.As you drill through the hole, center the drill bit over the center of it.Slowly enlarge the hole is a safe way to do it.Apply little to no pressure and drill slowly.Work through the rest of your drill bits in this way, until you reach the final desired size.
Step 14: Things should be cleaned up.
If you want to inspect the area around the hole, wipe away any dust and debris with a damp rag.Make sure there are no cracks, chips, or other signs of damage.This is the end of the process.