After watering, check where the excess water goes. Look at the planter, any inner pot, and the surface beneath it. A simple drainage check helps you spot water collecting in a tray or decorative outer container before you return the arrangement to its usual position.
Always follow the instructions for the exact planter and the needs of your plant. Do not keep adding water just to make it appear at a drainage opening.
Identify your planting setup
Before checking drainage, decide which setup you are using:
- Planting directly in the container: Review the model’s drainage instructions and check the intended outlet.
- A nursery pot inside a decorative planter: Water may leave the inner pot and collect in the outer container. Check both, not only the visible plant.
- A removable inner pot supplied with the product: Follow that model’s instructions for lifting, watering, and replacing it. A removable inner pot is not a feature of every planter.
For example, the 13-inch black plastic planter set includes removable inner pots. The weathered concrete bowl planter lists a drainage hole and rubber plug. These are different arrangements and should be checked according to their own instructions.
A practical check after watering
- Look beneath the container. Check whether water is reaching the intended tray or drainage area rather than running toward a doorway, walkway, or unprotected surface.
- Check any outer container. If you use a nursery pot inside a decorative planter, look for water that has collected around or below it. Lift the inner pot only where it is designed to be removed and you can handle it safely.
- Inspect the tray. Empty collected water as appropriate for the plant and product instructions. Make sure a tray can be reached without moving a heavy planted container unnecessarily.
- Check again before returning the pot. Where the setup allows watering in another suitable location, let excess water drain before replacing it. Look for continuing drips.
- Wipe up runoff. Leave the surrounding walking surface clear of water, soil, and other debris.
Using a saucer or protective tray indoors
Choose a suitably sized, watertight saucer or protective tray when appropriate for the planter and surface. Check its capacity in use rather than assuming it will catch every watering. A tray that is difficult to inspect or empty can hide collected water.
If your model includes a rubber plug, follow its instructions for indoor use and protect the surface beneath it. Do not treat the presence of a plug as a guarantee against leaks or moisture marks. Check the setup before placing it on a moisture-sensitive finish.
What if no water comes out?
A lack of visible runoff does not, by itself, tell you how much water the plant needs. Check the plant’s care guidance, your planting method, and whether the model is being used with an open drainage outlet or a plug as intended.
If you can safely inspect the outlet, look for loose debris that can be removed without altering the pot. Do not drill new holes, change the drainage parts, or improvise a modification unless the product instructions specifically permit it. If water continues to collect unexpectedly, pause and ask for guidance.
When to contact support
For a KANTE product question, send the model or SKU, purchase details, a photo of the drainage setup, and a short description of what happens when you water. Tell us whether the plant sits directly in the planter or in an inner pot. This helps our team understand the arrangement and provide next steps.
Use the Support Center form for help. For broader cleaning, handling, and use guidance, read our concrete planter care and safety guide and the product guides and safety notices for your model. To compare container types before buying, start with the planter buying guide.