How to Make Pot Risers for a Planter
Pot risers, also called pot feet, help lift planters off the ground to allow for adequate drainage after watering or rainfall. Risers limit damage to the surface below your pots, keeps hot stone patios from warming the soil and prevents the plant from sitting in a saucer of standing water. While you can purchase pot feet from most garden centers, it’s just as simple to make them yourself in an afternoon. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Bowl
- Mortar mix
- Water
- Disposable plastic spoon
- Feet molds, Styrofoam cups, soap molds or egg carton
- Cooking spray
- Old towel
Instructions
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1
Pour mortar powder into an old bowl and slowly stir in water until the mix looks thick yet smooth without lumps or being runny.
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2
Spray cooking spray along the inside of the mold you want to use. Plan to make three or four feet for every plant you want to prop up.
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3
Scoop mortar mixture into the molds to fill soap or planter feet molds to the top and egg carton or cup molds to 1 inch deep. Set the filled molds aside to dry for 24 hours.
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4
Spread out an old towel on a flat surface. Turn the molds upside down and hold them above the towel. Press downward on the molds to pop the pot risers out of the mold onto the towel.
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5
Set the risers out for one to two days to cure and harden.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use egg cartons with high dividers between egg wells.
Color your pot risers by adding dye to the mortar mix before pouring into molds.
When setting up your pot, don’t let the risers cover any drainage holes.
References
- 1001 Ideas for Better Gardening; Pippa Greenwood (p. 57)
- "Garden Gate" magazine: Make Your Own Pot Feet
