Ceramic Plant Saucers

Not every plant owner has a plant pot saucer. So you might be asking, “are plant saucers necessary?” Though they are not required, saucers can improve your gardening experience in multiple ways. They have practical and superficial benefits – from preventing your patio from getting muddy to giving you extra aesthetic options. 

What are Plant Saucers for?

The primary use of saucers is to catch water to avoid mess. However, plant biologists have discovered they are also good for plant health. So, over time, they have become a must. A quality pot must have a quality saucer. These are some of the many purposes of plant saucers:

• Catch excess water – Many planters already have drainage holes. However, sometimes water accumulates below the pot anyway. Especially after heavy watering, extra water can take a long time to dry out. Plant roots sitting in water for too long may cause root rot. Saucers pull water away from the drainage hole to then evaporate.
• Protect Surfaces – Water and soil drainage will damage certain surfaces over time. If your pot is on wood, for example, it may wear away. Conversely, this is not an issue if your pot is on a surface with a protective finish.
• Humidity – Leftover water from your plant will collect in a saucer and evaporate around the plant. This is an excellent way to keep plants that like humidity (like many houseplants) moist while reusing water. Get a large plant saucer, pour in pebbles, and add water for best results. This is what is known as a plant pebble tray.
• Add Height – Besides benefits for your plant, saucers can boost the appearance of your plant pot. Plant saucers usually add 2-3 inches to the height of your plant. Pebbles can add even more height.  
• Appearance – Saucers allow you to add a pop of color to your pot with the saucer or pebbles. Add a bright red saucer to your gold pot and see how much prettier it becomes.

Overall, the most important use is to catch excess water. Improper drainage can cause root rot. According to the Agricultural Research & Technology Open Access Journal, “Root rot pathogens cause some of the most important plant diseases worldwide.” The article also states many pathogens can cause root rot, such as bacteria, viruses, oomycetes, and fungi. Plants are more susceptible to pathogens without air flowing through to their roots.

How do Plant Saucers Work?

Water can still get clogged in pots with drainage holes due to the ground being even with the hole. Some saucers come with built-in grooves to elevate the saucer and allow water flow. If not, add a thin layer of pebbles below the pot so the water can exit.

With a saucer, you don’t need to move a plant outside; water the plant where it is. Water will pool into the saucer and start evaporating. Give it a good rinse every month or two, or when the saucer looks dirty.

Plant Saucer Alternative

Separating your pot from the ground is crucial. Increased airflow to roots will keep them clear of bacteria and prevent them from rotting. While saucers are the best option for sensitive floors, there are alternatives you can use. These are some of the options available to you.

• Pot feet are a nice choice to elevate your plant and allow drainage. They are small ceramic pieces that sit below your pot on each side. Air is then allowed to flow freely beneath the pot and dry the area beneath the pot. 
• Hanging baskets are an excellent way to increase airflow below the drainage hole. However, finding a hanging basket for larger plants can be challenging. A macramé plant hanger is a perfect option that fits the aesthetic of any room.
• Plant caddies are another resource you can use to sit your plant on. They allow you to move your plant around easily and add height to your plant. 
• Plant stands are the last possibility. They also add a height boost to your plant, but a much larger one. Plant stands are probably the most common option for decorative purposes. 
• Wire racks are another way to store your plants while allowing drainage. With wire racks, you can water your plants directly. Just wipe under the racks after watering if they are inside.

Plant caddies and stands will catch water. However, water droplets can still run off onto your floor. Additionally, water can start to wear away at the plant stand itself. Your best bet is to provide ceramic plant saucers to your plants.    

Where to Buy Plant Saucers?

Ceramic Plant Saucers are the best option for protecting your plant and floors. At Ten Thousand Pots, we have the largest selection of ceramic planters, saucers, and yard art in Texas. Come see all of the different colors and sizes we offer! We provide free consultations from our team every day to help you decide what pot and saucer combination is best. You can reach us at (512) 584-8889 or learn more about the services we provide. Learn more about what we do here.

Our round plant saucers is a wonderful option.

For square pots, get a square plant saucer