Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants. Instead plant roots encounter saturated soils that don't drain efficiently. It all has to do with something called a perched water table.
Nearly all plants prefer a natural wet-dry cycle, as that's what they experience in nature. Most people will place a stone or pebble over drainage holes in pots, especially the large central ones at the base of terracotta pots, to prevent the potting mix falling out and making a mess.
Don't put rocks in your pot. Not only does it not aid in drainage, but it can also accelerate root rot.
One of the benefits of using rocks for yard drainage is that they not only serve a practical purpose, but they can make your yard aesthetically pleasing as well. Using rocks, water can be directed towards ditches, for example, that are landscaped as swales and resemble creeks or meadows.
How much water your plants need -If your plants need a lot of water, mulch may be the better choice, since it will help retain moisture. If you have drainage issues in your garden, using rocks instead of mulch will help address that.
Pea Gravel. Pea gravel is one of the best materials for landscape drainage because its small size allows for outstanding drainage. These rocks are only about ¾ inches in size.
Coffee filters hold moisture: Since coffee filters are absorbent, they will retain some moisture from each watering. While it's not enough moisture to cause root rot, it may give you a bit of extra time between waterings or tide you over in case you (gasp) miss a watering session.
placing rocks on your topsoil goes against the principles of achieving a light and airy indoor plant soil. Rocks can cause heat stress to your plants, depriving them of the necessary moisture. Rocks may look aesthetically pleasing, but cause more long – term damage than good.
As a general rule, plants do not like for their roots to be sitting in soggy soil for too long. If you don't have holes in your pots, it can be difficult or impossible to know if the roots are sitting in water and how soggy it is down at the bottom of the pot.
One of the most common questions we hear is “can I pot my plant into a pot without a drainage hole?” While there are contradicting opinions among horticulturalists, in our professional experience we have found it not only possible, but sometimes even preferable to plant your indoor tropicals in planters without a hole ...
Placing rocks or gravel at the bottom of your pot is a common practice to create some separation between your plant's soil and any excess water.
Reusing used coffee grounds is a fun, free way to fertilizer your houseplants, however, it most likely will not provide your plants with all the nutrients they need. You can add additional nutrients by using a premade houseplant fertilizer or repotting your plant with fresh potting mix.
Improved Coffee Extraction
Pre-wetting the filter also helps ensure that the coffee grounds are distributed evenly and that the water saturates the grounds more effectively. This ultimately results in optimal extraction of the coffee's flavors, aroma, and caffeine content.
As an organic nutrient, coffee grounds are suitable for most plants. However, since coffee slightly acidifies the soil, it is beneficial for roses, hibiscuses, begonias, and other plants prefer substrates with an acidic or slightly acidic reaction.
Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants. Instead plant roots encounter saturated soils that don't drain efficiently. It all has to do with something called a perched water table.
A layer of gravel (see below for size recommendations) should be placed in the trench to a minimum depth of 1 inch. It may be deeper, as necessary, to ensure minimal slope requirements. All drainage pipes should be placed on the gravel bed in the trench.
Like crushed stone, pea gravel can also be used for underground projects, such as drainage and pipe bedding. It's also a good choice when looking for fence post installation aggregate.
What Does Your Soil Prefer? Mulch made from organic material like bark or wood chips decays over time, crumbling into nutritious bits that actually feed your soil. Rocks don't add anything to the soil.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather. Some kinds of mulch may even repel termites.
Avoid using mulch and large rocks in your landscape, as they attract snakes and their prey and can create breeding and overwintering habitat. Instead, use smaller, tight-fitting rock such as gravel or river rock. Also avoid landscaping with water gardens and Koi ponds.