Do You Need a Cachepot? How to Use One Safely

A cachepot is simply a decorative container that holds your plant's functional pot. This elegant solution lets you use any beautiful container, even one without drainage holes, while keeping your plant healthy. It's the best of both worlds: form and function.

For essential supplies overview, see Essential Houseplant Tools and Supplies.

The Direct Answer: Cachepot Basics

Element	What to Use
Inner pot	Nursery pot with drainage holes
Outer pot	Decorative cachepot (any material)
Hiding gap	Moss, stones, or decorative mulch
Water catch	Pebbles or small dish inside cachepot

The rule: Never plant directly into pots without drainage. Use the decorative pot as a holder for the functional pot.

How the System Works

The Setup

Simple arrangement:

Plant stays in nursery pot with drainage
Nursery pot slips into decorative cachepot
Cachepot holds everything together
Plant gets good drainage; you get good looks

For Watering

Maintain proper drainage:

Remove nursery pot from cachepot
Water thoroughly in sink or over saucer
Let drain completely (15-30 minutes)
Return to cachepot

Alternatively

If removal is difficult:

Water carefully in place
Check for pooled water in cachepot after watering
Remove any collected water
Never let the nursery pot sit in water

See How to Water Houseplants: The Beginner's Guide.

Benefits of Cachepots

Any Pot Becomes Usable

Opens your options:

That gorgeous ceramic with no holes? Now usable
Vintage containers? Perfect
Baskets, boxes, buckets? All work
Creativity without compromise

Easy Plant Swaps

Flexibility:

Change out plants easily
Rotate seasonal displays
Move plants between rooms
Swap a struggling plant without disturbing display

Simpler Repotting

When plants need larger pots:

Only need to size up the inner pot
May keep same cachepot if it still fits
Less investment in matching containers
More practical long-term

See How to Repot Houseplants: Step-by-Step.

Better Drainage Practice

Encourages good habits:

Removing for watering is intentional
You see how much water drains
Harder to forget about drainage
Built-in reminder to check for pooling

Choosing the Right Cachepot

Size Matching

Getting proportions right:

Cachepot should be 1-2 inches larger than nursery pot
Nursery pot rim can be visible or hidden
Some gap allows airflow
Too tight is hard to remove

Depth Considerations

Height matters:

Nursery pot shouldn't stick up too high
Or sink too deep
Match depths approximately
Can elevate with pebbles if needed

Style Options

Endless variety:

Ceramic, glazed or unglazed
Baskets (line if not waterproof)
Metal containers
Woven or fabric
Wood (line with plastic)
Anything decorative

See Terracotta vs Plastic Pots: Which Is Better?.

See Drainage Holes: Why They Matter.

Hiding the Nursery Pot

When the Rim Shows

Making it look intentional:

Add decorative moss on top
Use small stones or pebbles
Bark or decorative mulch
Cover the nursery pot edge

Elevating the Plant

If too deep in cachepot:

Place small stones in bottom
Use an inverted pot or dish
Cork or cardboard spacer
Raises nursery pot to right height

Concealing Plastic

Aesthetic touches:

Decorative sheet moss around edges
Colored stones or glass beads
Small plants tucked in gaps
Makes the arrangement look finished

Managing Water in Cachepots

Prevention

Keep water from accumulating:

Remove nursery pot for watering when possible
Add pebbles in cachepot bottom to elevate
Creates space for any small drips
Water can evaporate

Checking for Pooling

After watering:

Lift nursery pot and look
Feel the bottom for water
Pour out any collected water
Don't skip this step

If Water Collects

What to do:

Lift out nursery pot
Pour out cachepot water
Add more pebbles if needed
Water more carefully next time

Special Cachepot Situations

Baskets

Popular and tricky:

Not waterproof
Line with plastic (garbage bag, sheet plastic)
Or remove for watering every time
Protect from any drips

Metal Containers

Stylish but watch for:

May rust with exposure to moisture
Line if possible
Keep dry inside
Remove for watering

Vintage and Antique Containers

Protect your investment:

Use with extra care
Always line if valuable
May prefer to keep truly antique items dry
Balance aesthetics with preservation

Large Floor Plant Cachepots

Practical considerations:

Heavy, hard to remove for watering
Use wheeled plant caddy beneath
May need to water in place carefully
Be vigilant about pooled water

Common Cachepot Mistakes

Leaving Water Sitting

Defeats the purpose:

Pooled water reaches roots
Same as no drainage
Check and empty after watering
Don't assume it evaporates

See Overwatered Plant: How to Save It.

Pot Too Tight

Difficult to manage:

Hard to remove for watering
No airflow
Size up the cachepot
Should lift out easily

Forgetting to Water Properly

Visible pot hides problems:

Can't see soil condition easily
May forget to check moisture
Lift and check or use moisture meter
Decorative doesn't mean neglected

Planting Directly in Cachepot

Misunderstanding the system:

Cachepots typically lack drainage
Planting directly causes root rot
Always use an inner pot with holes
The beauty of the system is separation

Making It Look Intentional

Cohesive Style

Coordinated displays:

Match cachepot to room decor
Consistent materials or colors
Group similar styles
Curated appearance

Hiding Mechanics

Polished presentation:

Top dressings cover soil and pot rim
Looks like a single planted container
No visible plastic nursery pot
Professional finish

Quality Cachepots

Worth the investment:

Better materials last longer
Nicer appearance elevates plants
One good cachepot beats several cheap ones
Reusable for years

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave the plant in the cachepot all the time?

Yes but manage water carefully. Either remove for watering or check for pooled water after and pour it out. Never let the inner pot sit in collected water.

How do I know what size cachepot to buy?

Measure your nursery pot's outer diameter. The cachepot should be at least 1 inch larger in diameter. Check depth too, you want the nursery pot to sit at the right height.

Do I need to put rocks in the bottom of the cachepot?

Not required but helpful. A layer of pebbles elevates the nursery pot slightly and provides space for any small drips to collect without the pot sitting in water.

What if my cachepot is much larger than the nursery pot?

Elevate the nursery pot with something (inverted pot, stones, spacer). Top-dress generously to hide the gap. It can still look good even with size mismatch.

Should I drill drainage holes in decorative pots instead?

You can but cachepot method is often easier. Drilling risks cracking and still requires a saucer. Cachepots give you flexibility without modification.