As a rule, flower pots should be made of porous material so that they can absorb water and release it to the plants. The hole in the bottom of the pot also serves to drain excess water. However, you can also seal pots to prevent lime efflorescence, for example.
How to waterproof a flower pot?
To make a flower pot waterproof, you can either coat it with water glass or impregnate it. Impregnate the pot with commercially available impregnation or linseed oil to prevent limescale and water loss and to ensure frost protection.
Waterproof Flower Pots
If you don't want to plant the flower pot at all, but rather use it as a flower vase, it is of course important that the pot is waterproof. You can seal your pot with little effort. Proceed as follows:
- First buy a liquid called “Water Glass (€13.00 at Amazon)” from the drugstore. Water glass consists of powdered glass, which is mixed with chemicals (potash or baking soda) and then dissolved in water. Water glass is also available as a solid or gel-like mass.
- Apply the liquid to the surface of the flower pot (outside and inside) with a brush.
- Let the whole thing dry thoroughly.
The following happens during the drying process:The water in the liquid evaporates as soon as it comes into contact with air and the water glass hardens. The surface on which it is applied gets a smooth, glass-like coating and becomes waterproof.
Impregnating flower pots
Beautifully designed clay and terracotta pots are eye-catchers on the terrace and balcony. However, after a short time, white edges appear on the pots. This is unsightly limescale efflorescence caused by the irrigation water. Such deposits can be prevented by impregnating the pot. However, water will then no longer be absorbed and stored by the walls. Anyone who waterproofs their flower pots in this way must ensure that their plants always receive enough water.
Impregnation options
Treat your pots with a commercially available impregnation. Apply the solution to the inside and outside of the pot. The pot should be clean and definitely dry. It's best to paint the pots immediately after purchase, because then they haven't come into contact with water yet.
Instead of the waterproofing liquid, you can also use normal linseed oil. The oil penetrates the pores of the pot and makes it waterproof and frost-proof. However, since the oil breaks down into its components over the course of the year, the impregnation with oil must be renewed every spring.
