Question

Why are the crocks placed in the inside bottom of the pots of indoor plants ?

Hint:

Think about what happens to extra water in a pot that has only one small hole at the bottom.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the set-up:
Indoor plants grow in pots with a hole at the bottom. Excess water must leave through this hole.
Crocks are broken pieces of old clay pots or bricks.

Step 2: Role of crocks:
Crocks are placed over the drainage hole before the potting mixture goes in.
They keep the hole open, so soil particles cannot wash down and block it.
Water then drains out freely after every watering.

Step 3: What happens without crocks:
A blocked hole holds water around the roots.
The roots get no air and begin to rot.
Crocks also let a little air move through the bottom layer.

Final Answer:
Crocks are placed at the bottom of the pot to provide good drainage, to stop the drainage hole from getting blocked by soil, and to allow aeration of the roots.