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You know that healthy, happy succulents rely on proper watering and that drainage holes are important. But you have found the cutest pot, and just know your succulents would look great in it. The only problem is that there are no drainage holes. We gardeners seem to go through stores, turning every fun container upside down, looking for signs it will be great for our succulents. Skip the angst, and learn how to drill a hole in a ceramic pot perfectly — every time. Learning how to drill ceramic pots for drainage will open up so many opportunities to decorate your home and garden, while still ensuring your succulent plants’ health. Let’s see exactly what’s involved in drilling ceramic, and how to drill a hole in concrete, too!

How to Drill a Hole in a Ceramic Pot or Cement Bowl

{Please note, some links in this post may be affiliate links to sites that pay me a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This commission is at absolutely no cost to you. I only recommend products and companies that I have worked with and truly love! ~Kat}

How to Drill a Hole in Concrete or Ceramic

When you are planting succulents in containers without drainage, you have two options. To plant, and then take extra care with the watering — or to drill your own drainage holes. Today, we are going to look at creating drainage in a variety of types of pots for your succulents. For wood, plastic or thin metal, use a general-purpose drill bit. For concrete, clay, porcelain, tile or glazed ceramic, you will need a specialty bit. Selecting the right drill bit for drilling ceramic or concrete is important, as is your drilling technique.

You will need:

• The container to be drilled – be sure you know what it is made of
• 3/8″  or 10mm ceramic drill bit, for glazed ceramic, tile, pottery or china
• 3/8″ masonry drill bit for concrete or terracotta
• A piece of flat scrap wood
• A piece of tile or glass jar for practice drilling holes in ceramic
• Mesh drywall joint tape or similar for covering drainage holes in pots
• Scissors (I really love these!)
• Large spray bottle full of water
• Safety glasses*
• Succulents! 🙂

*Always remember to wear safety glasses when drilling ceramic or concrete!

How to Drill a Hole in Concrete

If you have a concrete or cement container, you will need a masonry drill bit. A masonry drill bit is often tipped with carbide for longer life and durability. Unlike a general purpose bit for wood, your masonry bit will not be cutting the concrete, stone or brick, but abrading it, or wearing a hole in the material through focused friction.

To drill a hole in concrete, set the pot on a piece of scrap wood. That way, when the bit drills through the concrete, it won’t go through the top of your table. Be sure to lay the pot with the flat bottom on the wood, rather than upside down on just the rim. This way, the weight of the container, and the force of the drill bit will be spread evenly across the breadth of the container’s bottom. You won’t risk cracking or breaking the material the way you would if you drill it upside down. Set the masonry drill bit near the center, and begin to drill very slowly. To drill through concrete and avoid the risk of breaking it, slow is the key. For a small container like this, a single hole should work well. For larger containers, add additional drainage holes. Be sure to drill at least one full inch from the edge of your planter. Drain holes should be at least one inch apart.

Covering Drainage Holes in Pots

Once you have added a drainage hole to your container, now, how to keep the soil in? While there are a number of strategies, including using broken pottery shards, or coffee filters, I like to use drywall joint tape. It is a mesh tape that comes in a roll. The mesh allows water to pass, while keeping the large, gritty particles of the soil inside the pot. Very inexpensive, with a bit of adhesive on the back to keep it in place. One roll does loads of pots, and it stores away nice and tidy in my succulent care kit.

Now, just add soil and succulents!

How to Drill a Hole in a Ceramic Pot

Learning how to drill a hole in a ceramic pot is highly rewarding — and potentially addicting! 🙂 When you will be drilling ceramic, the correct bit is crucial. Because this mug is precious to me – it was the last gift my Mother gave me – I wanted to be sure I got a good, clean hole the first time, with no breakage. So I skipped the spear point drill bits as just too iffy in their results. Instead, I selected a diamond grit tile drilling bit for drilling holes in ceramic. Not only did I get perfect results, I will be able to drill hundreds more with this same bit! Yes, I am sure my husband is thrilled! 😉

Technique for Drilling Ceramic – Start with 45 Degree Angle

The technique for drilling ceramic with a diamond grit tile bit is a bit different from drilling wood or concrete. I recommend that you try it first on a piece of scrap tile or a glass jar to get the feel of it. You will want to spray water on the drill bit and on the ceramic all throughout the drilling. It is essential to keep the bit and the ceramic surface wet while you drill. The will keep both the bit and the ceramic cool, and enhance the bit’s drilling action, ensuring a smoother hole, and longer life for the drill bit. Spray water on the ceramic where you will drill. A small puddle is great*. Do not be concerned about mixing water with electricity – you’re not. The electric motor is far from the drill bit.

Set the drill bit on the ceramic pot at a 45-degree angle. Slowly, start the drill. This will be a slow process, so don’t get impatient.

*A reader, Sandy Walls, offers a terrific top! When drilling ceramic, use a small rope of plumber’s putty, or modelling clay to form a circle on the ceramic where you will be drilling. Make it into a dam of sorts, to hold a small puddle of water. This will mean you won’t have to keep spraying the entire time you are drilling. If the puddle runs dry, spray more water. Thanks, Sandy!

Drilling Ceramic

After drilling for about 45 seconds, stop and take a look at your progress. You will have created a divot in the ceramic where the drill bit will sit comfortably, without running around on the cup. Spray with more water, and resume drilling at the 45-degree angle. Then slowly move the drill bit into an upright position, so that you are drilling at a 90-degree angle.

Drilling Holes in Ceramic Pot

Continue to drill slowly. This is a study in patience, but the results are well worth it. Continue to spray with water throughout the drilling.

Ceramic Drill Bit Drills Clean Hole in Ceramic for Drainage

I am delighted with the results! A clean, smooth hole in the ceramic mug gives me the perfect drainage hole I needed. And no damage was done to the beautiful gift from my Mom! So I added the drywall mesh tape inside, then soil and succulents…

Drilling Ceramic for Drainage Holes

First, drilling ceramic for drainage. Now, I have fully planted succulents in the ceramic cup, and it has the drainage I wanted.

Drilling Ceramic and Concrete for Drainage Holes

While it is certainly possible to water carefully enough to grow succulents without drainage, it is so much better to be able to drill your own drainage holes when and where you want them. We will cover planting succulents in containers without drainage in the future. For now – let your imagination run to all the possibilities drilling ceramic and concrete opens up for planting your succulents! I would love to know what you will drill first! Please take a moment to leave a comment and let me know!

You can do this!

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P.P.S. Why not join my Facebook Group for succulent lovers? We talk about succulent care, propagation, succulent identification, and design. It’s a warm and welcoming group that would love to meet you!