DIYer Proves Vintage Thrift Store Knick-Knacks Make Charming Planters

If you're anything like TikToker Lindsey Conqueso (@lindseyconqueso), you love adorable vintage planters and other knick-knacks that can be used as planters — but you also know these items won't work for plants unless they have drainage holes. That's the message of Conqueso's TikTok video in which she shows off a variety of enchanting planters — with drainage holes. Though the video doesn't show how the holes got there, her caption explains that she got a "special drill bit" and drilled the holes. In case you're wondering what proper drainage is and why it's so important for houseplants, excess water needs to drain from the pot so plant roots get oxygen. This means drainage holes in planters are vitally important for plant health. 

Stick to porcelain and ceramic materials for durability (one of the pros of ceramic plant pots). Avoid very old ceramics or objects where the ceramic is so thin that drilling is likely to break it. Conqueso's drilling solution is the easiest way to add drainage holes to your plant pots, but let's talk about that "special bit" she obtained for the project. She likely used a diamond-tipped hole saw drill bit, which is recommended for ceramics. 

To try this drilling hack for yourself, apply a bit of water to the bottom of the pot, so you don't burn out your drill. It's a good idea to use a piece of tape to mark where you plan to drill; it provides a bit of traction on what may be a slippery surface. Place your pot bottom-up on a soft surface, and avoid placing extra pressure on the drill as it makes contact with the pot. Be patient, and drill slowly until the bit goes all the way through. To ensure safe drilling, wear gloves and safety goggles. 

Even though drilling is a proven way to transform these charming planters so they can hold plants and allow water to drain, you'll want to be cautious with glazed planters, which are non-porous, so they hold water to a greater extent than a non-glazed pot would. The drainage hole helps, but moisture won't evaporate the way it will in a porous pot made of wood or terra cotta, so soil will take longer to dry. Some potential occupants of glazed pots, like moisture-loving tropical plants, benefit from this non-porous environment.

As TikToker Lindsey Conqueso holds up the charming pieces in her planter collection — containers shaped like cute animals, vehicles, and just plain ceramic planters — the viewer can't help notice that many of them are quite small. If you have similarly tiny planters, choose plants suited for small pots, such as baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), Scotch moss (Sagina subulata), small herbs, and tiny succulents.