19. POT FEET—A USEFUL AND FUN ACCESSORY

Planters need drainage. This is a rule you cannot forget, otherwise the potting soil gets waterlogged and plants literally drown. Well-drained potting soil makes all the difference in growing healthy plants in your planters! I have learned this from direct experience. So drainage holes in the base of any planter is vitally important. But the other equally important thing is to make sure that water can flow freely out of the planter. You can do this by lifting the pot slightly off the surface where it rests. To do this, you can use small, flat, weatherproof items like pebbles or a flat stone or brick. Or you can buy what is commonly referred to as pot risers, pot feet, or pot toes. They are handy accessories.

Pot feet raise a planter evenly off the ground and keep your plants “high and dry” by allowing water to drain and air to circulate under the pot. Best of all, your planter will not leave any unsightly stains under its base. This can be helpful on wood decks, concrete patios, and stone landings.

Pot feet can be visible or unseen. It depends on the look you prefer. Visible pot feet sit like small pedestal holders around the perimeter of a planter’s base. Three or four uniform pot feet are required for a large planter, and their appearance can be admired by all. Unseen pot risers look like small dark rings or hockey pucks. They are made from hard rubber or plastic and sit underneath the center of the planter, which make the pot look like it is floating. This is a subtle effect that works well with modern-style containers.

The shapes of visible pot feet are where the fun happens! You can get terracotta or stone pot feet in decorative styles that match your planter. You can even buy them in the shape of cats, birds, frogs, and more. If you want to color coordinate a glazed planter, matching pot feet are available as well.

Four pot feet under a large ornate planter make it seem like it’s on a low pedestal. The water drains from the pot and goes directly into the drain grate in the corner.