What can I put in a 2L terracotta pot which doesn't have a hole?

[ErrolTheDragon]

I bought some new terracotta pots last weekend for my patio herbs. Most of them are planted up but I'd not got anything for the smallest.

Today, after a deluge, I noticed that it was half full of water - the drainage hole is blocked up, there seems to be a thin extra layer of clay across the base. I don't think I can knock through it without risking breaking the pot.

Because it's terracotta it's somewhat permeable (having filled it up completely about an hour ago, it's soaked up or oozed out about half an inch) - not completely watertight.

So... what can I put in a small pot that will tolerate sometimes being very soggy but not necessarily constantly waterlogged? If it's a herb or edible that's a bonus but not essential.

Don't you have a drill? It would take two seconds to drill the hole back in...

Yep, I've had a couple like this and have just drilled the hole.

I do have a drill, which I use on plastic pots, but wasn't sure if it would be likely to damage terracotta.

I made a hole in about half a dozen small pots with a screwdriver and tapped the end with a hammer. None broke.

Creeping Jenny would be ok in there.

Another vote for drill here

Except it wouldn’t stay in there!

If you are really worried about making a hole then I would put it on its side , put a lot of crocks in , then some soil / compost and grow sedums tumbling out.

Or fill it up to the top with water, sink a few bricks in to raise the base and grow water lilies.

I would put crocks or shingles in to allow drainage, and plant whatever you like.

You might have to line it with a plastic layer if it’s not completely water tight. You can get very small water lilies btw, not suggesting the giant ones.

Thanks all, I guess I'd better stop being a wuss and try the drill.

Having looked at it again, I threw caution to the winds and used my old gardening knife and a trowel chisel-wise and knocked through the extraneous base layer. It's now got a small marjoram in it.