How to create a pond in a pot

Adam_W

Difficulty: Beginner

Creating a water feature in your outdoor space doesn’t have to involve major landscaping. You can have one up and running in just a few hours by creating a pond in a pot. It's perfect for those with a balcony or courtyard and you can use a pot of almost any shape or size.

Video Tutorial

Steps

Step 1

Scrub the inside of the pot clean with soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Allow to dry. For porous material, this might take a day or two.

1.1 Thoroughly clean pot.png

Step 2

Cover drainage holes on the outside of the pot base with pieces of heavy-duty tape. While wearing gloves, push putty into the drainage holes on the inside of the pot, making sure that they are completely plugged. Make the putty plugs a little higher than the holes and spread around 5mm or so past the side of holes for a good seal.

2.1 Plug drainage holes with putty.png

Step 3

Use a roller to evenly apply sealant to all interior surfaces. Use a paint brush to get the sealant into the corners. Allow to cure before applying a second coat.

3.1 Apply sealant to interior.png

Step 4

Place the pot in its final location and bring to level. You may need to use plastic packers to achieve this. Remember to check the level from side-to-side and front-to-back.

When selecting your pot’s position, consider the final weight. For example, 100L of water weighs 100kg and then you have the pot, gravel and equipment weight on top of that. On a timber deck, make sure that the pot is over a joist or bearer to avoid the decking boards bending.

4.1 Position pot in its location and level.png

Step 5

Thoroughly wash and rinse the gravel to remove any silt or dirt. Gently place gravel at the bottom of the pot, filling to a layer of around 30 to 40mm. Use care when adding the gravel to avoid any damage to the sealant.

5.1 Add gravel to pond base.png

Step 6

Position your pump in the base and fill with water to the desired height. If using a solar pump, do not connect the panel until the pot is full. Connect or switch on and your potted pond is complete. You can now add finishing touches to your potted pond such as fish, lighting and plants.

6.1 Add pump and fill.png

Materials

Pot of your choosing
Pond sealant paint
Waterproof putty
Heavy-duty duct tape
Plastic packers in various thicknesses
Pump kit
Decorative gravel for pond base.

Tools

Scrubbing brush and water bucket
Garden hose with spray nozzle
50mm foam paint roller kit and paintbrush
Spirit level
Gloves and safety glasses.

Images