Are pot feet necessary?

bédé · February 2023

I have transferred this discussion over from "plants".

I believe that pot feet are solely aesthetic, or fashion. Does anyone have any real experience of before and after?

I have never used pot feet. Under a few on unlevel paving I put a bit of car-stone. Otherwise nothing.

In both summer and winter, there is no problem with the water finding its way out. I have had pots broken by roots, but never by frost.

I buy pots labelled "frost-proof", but rarely go back and claim. This year I have suffered a lot of frost damage to some pots. This is restricted to the lip, which is always above compost, and therefore wet, level.

I think this description is OK. If necessary I can take some pics.

B3 · February 2023

I find they keep ants out of very large containers. That's the reason I use them. If I can find a big enough 'saucer ' ( usually an old frying pan or wok) I use that.

GardenerSuze · February 2023

@bede Whichford I believe don't use pot feet, although they do sell them which is interesting. A terracotta pot that is poorly drained and prone to having high levels of water in it is more susceptible to freezing. The feet aid drainage.

KeenOnGreen · February 2023

We have never used them in 20 years of gardening, and until recently, had 80 pots (of all sizes, and made of various materials). I'm sure they are helpful if you can be bothered (and can afford) to use them, but there are not critical to have.

Making sure your planting medium has sufficient drainage (and this will vary depending on what is planted in the pot), having plenty of drainage holes, and making sure the pots are not sitting on ground that is wet, is just as effective.

Nollie · February 2023

Useful for plants that need free-draining conditions in pots on hard surfaces in heavy rain areas, but otherwise not essential. No need to buy fancy ready-made ones, any old small offcuts of brick, tile etc. will do the same job. Tuck said pieces under the pot level with the base to avoid aesthetic conniptions.

didyw · February 2023

I don't use them. The surface my pots sit on is old concrete (inherited with the house, hence covering it with as many pots as possible) so uneven anyway. One of my favourite pots, that I've had for a few years, including all through the Beast from the East, has lost part of its rim to this year's frosts.

I put old rubbish in the bottom of the larger pots - broken up polystyrene packaging, old bits of brick etc; that provides good enough drainage.

thevictorian · February 2023

I was predicting a cold, wet, winter so put some pots up on wood offcuts because we have had wet winters where I think extra drainage would have benefitted the plants. Since I'm only half right on my prediction I don't really see the need for them. I can't remember ever having a pot succumb to the frost.

Dovefromabove · February 2023

There are differences between pots labelled 'frost resistant' and 'frost proof' ... one of them being the cost.

I have used either pot feet or another way of raising the large terracotta pots we use for our bay and fig on the terrace ... I use them as an aid to efficient drainage and in the hope that it might discourage ants from setting up home in them. The growing medium for both the fig and the bay contains a large proportion of horticultural grit ... both plants do best if watered generously and frequently in this very free-draining medium. I don't use pot feed or other 'raisers' for my large pots of hostas ... they like their feet to remain damp.

I've never thought that using pot feet was likely to prevent frost damage ... in the past I've found wrapping in plenty of bubble wrap to be more effective, although pots were damaged by the Beast from the East ... perhaps even more bubble wrap might have been more effective ... or perhaps not ... it was very cold for a long while ...

bédé · February 2023

B3 said:

I find they keep ants out of very large containers. That's the reason I use them. If I can find a big enough 'saucer ' ( usually an old frying pan or wok) I use tha.

I get ants in the paving under the pots, but not actually in the pots. They might be considered an aid to drainage.

GardenerSuze · February 2023

I remember reading somewhere that bubble wrap was more useful if placed inside the pot. I guess the roots might be slightly warmer but no protection for the pot. Pot feet are a trip hazard especially with my size sevens! I'm not entirely sure there is a definitive answer.

JennyJ · February 2023

I think pot feet as an aid to drainage might be more important if the pot is standing on a very smooth surface like modern porcelain tiles/paving which doesn't give the little gaps that you get with a slightly uneven surface, but I can't be sure because I don't have that sort of surface to try it out.

Are pot feet necessary?

Posts