I personally wouldn't use pots w/out drainage holes, even with rocks and pebbles. I think it would still be very prone to root rot. Its up to you...you can try one and see how you do with it. For me, I know I would kill it with too much water.

As far as online vendors...I've used Gardino's
and this one.

Gardinos being my favorite...their plants are nice size and healthy plants.

Thanks puglvr. I'll ask my dh to see if he could drill a hole assuring me the planters won't crack. lol. He's done it to some ceramic pots I had and there was no problem.

I've seen such cute pictures of little plants growing in teacups, etc.

I'll check out the plant stores.

The only other way I could think of would be set a pot inside your vintage pot, remove to water.

Pug,
Great links! I see a few things I want at Gardinos! I want to learn Bonsais.

JoJo

When I want to use a decorative container that doesn't allow drainage I fill the bottom with pebbles and set the plastic pot containing the plant in it. I still pour out excess water.

I was lucky enough to visit Gardino's last month and the owners spent 2 hours showing me around. They really have an amazing collection of plants, many that aren't listed on their site. I even brought home one suitcase filled with plants I bought there. lol

Zone 9 Tropicals also has great plants as does Annie's Annuals and Grassy Knoll. I also like Glasshouse Works but some people have had issues with them. Pepper's Greenhouse (Accent for Home and Garden) has a nice selection and their plants are inexpensive but you can forget about online communication if you have a question but I've never had an issue. There's several other reliable nurseries that I buy from but those are the ones I use the most.

http://www.zone9tropicals.com/index.php
http://www.anniesannuals.com/
http://www.gkexoticplants.com/
http://rareplants.com/pageone.html
http://www.accentsforhomeandgarden.com/

The only thing that pebbles would do in a pot like that is create an air space, and provide less room for root growth while you raise the soil higher in the pot.

Once the water fills that space,like a puddle, it would constantly wick into the above soil, causing severe root rot. You really never know how much of that empty space is filled, because we can't see through the pot. The same can be said of packing nuts that many use..

I love the ideas above and the link provided..Thanks everyone..

I don't like having a plastic pot sit on the bottom of a clay or metal decorative pot that doesn't contain drainage holes. It stays too moist. Having the pebbles create an air space to separate the plastic pot from the decorative pot is the whole idea. You empty any liquid that pools in the pebbles after watering then set the pot containing the plant back in. I thought I made that clear in the previous post.

"I love the ideas above and the link provided..Thanks everyone..". That including yours karyn1..;-)

I did not misunderstand anything in your post. I was not piggy backing your post, or thoughts, or basing my thoughts on what you said..
I was just sharing a thought based on what oaklyok said, about the negative impact that can be caused on planting plants in a pot with no drainholes, on top of pebbles..A different view...

Your comments were right on, great ideas, and I enjoyed them..:-)

I'm sure your husband knows this, but if he drills holes in the bottom he should put masking tape where he intends to drill, it will make it less likely to crack. Of course just using it as a cachepot would be best!

Oak, how long have you been growing plants? If you're new at indoor gardening, perhaps you should hold off planting in containers w/o drainage. Otherwise, there shouldn't be any problem.

I grow succulents, sub and tropials in containers w/o drainage. (some of each..not all my plants.) Like Karyn, I add small pebbles on the bottom.
Actually, I don't see watering as much of a problem as salt build-up from fertilizers..But even salt build up could be remedied if a plant is taken from the pot, periodically, and refresh soil. I don't bother, but this isn't something I suggest doing.

What size are the pots? I laughed after reading, you don't want your husband drilling holes..I think many of us here, know exactly what you're feeling..lol

Hey Karyn..you made it to Gardinos..What type of plants did you smuggle home? lol
That's the problem ordering online. We don't get to see all available stock. Do they sell plants in 4" pots?

I've been an Accentforhomeandgarden customer for years..The times I contacted Fred, 'owner' he's always responded and very helpful.
His plants are fantastic, and reasonably priced.
Gardino's has great Customer Service, too. They also have some true beautys..
The only nursery I had problems with was Plumeria People. I don't know what happened, but over the years, the owner went from semi-slow shipping to not shipping period. No response to emails or calls. I used to buy his Hibiscus Fertilizer. Placed an order..he never replied..I called the nursery two or three times..they said he wasn't home. I emailed..no dice. Finally gave up.

Oak, if you decide not to drill holes, and don't trust pebbles, you can try this. Place a piece of styrofoam (sheet) on the bottom of your vintage pots. Instead of planting directly in these containers, place an inner pot inside the vintage. The styrofoam will prevent plant from sitting in water. OR, if it does, simply remove the inner pot, drain, then place back in vintage pot. Works like a charm..Toni

Hope, I've been growing houseplants forever, but I've never put them into vintage pots before. I'll probably use them as cache pots.

Oak, whatever you feel is best. To be honest, since they're antique, I wouldn't want to drill holes, even if your hubby did a great job..

But if you decide to add a plant, try the styrofoam..Toni

Toni you've gotten Fred to respond online?!!!!!! I remember the first time I ordered from them it turns out that one of my selections was unavailable. I didn't know this until I received my plants with a $5 bill and some change in the bottom of the box. lol I try to go to Pepper's when I go to the beach in the summer. Pepper's is only about 2 hours away from here. When I'm there everyone is super nice and helpful but I've never been able to get them to respond to an email. The last time I stoped by on the way home from the beach I managed to get 60 plants in my van. It was quite an accomplishment with all the luggage. lol

Gardino's was amazing!!!!! Sid and Andrea were wonderful and spent so much time showing me around. When I called to ask if I could come by I wasn't expecting them to take me thru all of their shade houses but I was thrilled that they did. They have so much that isn't listed on their site. I picked up a few plants and would have gotten more if I'd had another empty suitcase.
Hoya retusa
Hoya imperialis
Hoya macrophylla variegata
Hydinophytum formacarium
Vietnamese gardenia
Burbidge nitida
Pseudobombax ellipticum (pink grafted)
Strophanths gratis
Griffinia sp.
Hippeastrum reticulatum striatifolium
Gardenia carinata
Gloxinia chic
For the most part I tried to get stuff in 4" pots but did get a few gallon size containers. I just recently began collecting hoyas again and what a selection they had! I wish that I'd bought more varieties but there were too many other things that I just had to have : ) I've been buying from Gardino's for years and never realized that they were in Delray. It's only about 15 minutes away from my Mom's place in West Palm and I'm there fairly often during the winter.

BTW I don't think that I'd be drilling holes in antique containers either. You could always try setting a pot in one and seeing how it does. Just remember that the interior of your container will become discolored and you probably won't be able to get it clean if it's a porous material.