Plant Saucers Idea [DIY Tips, Pros, and Cons]
Not all pots are sold with saucers. Nevertheless, buying saucers alone is more expensive than creating your own drip trays. If you don’t know which material to use for your DIY plant saucer, fret not because here are some tips to consider.
Plant saucers can be made from recycled household objects to save money, reduce waste, and bring out creativity. However, if it is made of unsuitable materials, it can harm the plant and damage surfaces. Thick plastic materials for a sturdy saucer are recommended but avoid wood and aluminum.
Although making a DIY saucer can save you bucks, it is imperative to pay attention to the key features of a suitable plant saucer. To learn about them, let us first know if saucers are really necessary or if you can just get by without them.
Are Plant Saucers Necessary?
Plant saucers are not that necessary for the plant’s survival, but they can be helpful, especially with indoor plants. They serve as a catch basin for water, fertilizers, and soil additives that might damage the furniture, carpets, and floors.
Fertilizers and soil additives coming out from the drainage hole may stain wooden floors and concrete decks. So planters should have something to sit on to collect the droplets and avoid damage on the surfaces.
However, you can opt not to use any pot saucer, and your plant will be just fine. When watering, bring your plant outside or on the sink and start watering from there. Allow the pot to stand and drain out excess water for several minutes before getting it back inside. In this way, surfaces in your home will not be ruined.
Is it Better to Make a DIY Plant Saucer? Pros and Cons
Making a DIY plant saucer is a wise idea because it can help 1) save money, 2) reduce waste, and 3) bring out creativity. However, if the gardener uses inappropriate materials in making saucers, it can harm the plant and damage surfaces.
The most common material that can be repurposed as DIY drip trays 1) plastic food containers, 2) ceramic plates, 3) non-stick pans, 4) plastic lids, 5) refrigerator trays, 6) plastic bottles, 7) old water barrels, 8) cupcake trays, 9) tea saucers, and 10) plastic pails.
Advantages
If you are a frugal gardener, you would probably love the idea of making your DIY plant saucers. Here are some perks of creating your pot saucers.
Save Money
Money can be saved up by using household materials like old saucers with broken tips or old refrigerator trays. You won’t be spending any fortune if you’ll make use of any materials available around your home for a saucer.
Reduce Waste
DIY plant saucers can be made of recycled containers from household products such as soda bottles, take-out plastic food containers with no lids, and unused food trays. Stainless pans, dinner plates, and food bowls that are no longer useful can be repurposed into catch basins for larger planters.
Bring Out Creativity
Repurpose old items and personalize them to achieve a unique-looking saucer. Rummage through your attic or garage and look for items that are suitable to make a saucer. You can add a touch of art or embellishments to make it look unique. Customize them to match the planter or create a theme such as rustic or minimalist.
Disadvantage
If you want to make a DIY plant saucer, you need to consider the materials you are using, or else you’ll end up with regret. Here is the downside of making your DIY plant saucers.
May Use Inappropriate Material
Objects that are corrosive and porous are not appropriate to be used in plant dishes. Using unsuitable materials as a plant saucer can harm the plant and may lead to surface damage.
Aluminum saucers will corrode as they contact water and release harmful toxins that the roots might absorb. As it deteriorates, it will form holes on the bottom and cause the water to leak and spill on surfaces.
Moreover, ceramic, wooden, and cement saucers are porous and may produce moisture on the bottom. In this manner, the water may damage wooden surfaces in the long run.
Here are my versions of DIY plant saucers.
1. Repurposed Broken Wall Clock. Instead of throwing our broken wall clock, I repurposed and converted it into a useful saucer. I removed the glass and the clock’s hands and sealed off the tiny hole to prevent leakage. And voila!
2. Recycled Empty Alcohol Container. I have several empty containers of alcohol. They are too useful to end up in the bin, so I cut off the bottom part and made it my DIY plant saucer. I washed it thoroughly and decorated it with a braided string.
3. Empty Sauce Tray. I used take-out sauce trays from KFC and transformed them into cute plant saucers for tiny plants. To cover the transparent side, I glued some strings to add a rustic vibe.
DIY Plant Saucers From Other Gardeners
Other frugal gardeners use different materials for pot receptacles, such as old non-stick baking pans, flan trays, and frying pans. Some make use of cement and mold them to make a saucer.
Although these are all useful plant saucers, there are some points to remember when using them. Pans and trays should be checked for possible holes or leakages on the bottom. Aluminum pans will corrode over time as they come into contact with water. While cement saucers are porous and allow moisture to pass through.
Here is a video on how to make a DIY cement saucer.
What to Consider When Making DIY Plant Saucers? 2 Factors
When creating DIY plant saucers, consider their 1) material and 2) size as these factors can affect the main purpose of the item.
Material
A functional plant saucer must be waterproof and non-corrosive. The best materials for saucers are plastics or glazed ceramics. These materials do not corrode and sweat.
Waterproof saucers do not allow moisture to pass through their surface and do not sweat as it catches the water. On the other hand, non-corrosive material is safe for plants as it does not oxidize into toxic substances that the roots can absorb. It will not deteriorate quickly, so leakage is unlikely.
Size
A good-sized saucer should be as wide or even a bit larger than the pot’s mouth. For example, a pot with a 5-inch mouth should have a saucer that measures at least 5 inches. A saucer that is proportional to the pot will allow water to drain freely without overflowing quickly.
Choosing a saucer that is too small for the pot will quickly fill the brim as the water drains from the pot. It will also make you water your plant less to the fear of overflowing the saucer. Hence, your plant will suffer from a lack of water.
Your purpose of preventing furniture damage ruled out your effort of keeping your plant healthy. Saucers larger than the pot are precisely the right size to water the plants properly.
Tips in Making Plant Saucers
Making your plant saucers is a fun and easy activity. Here are some tips that will help you create them.
Use sturdy plastic containers. Choose a plastic material that is thick and sturdy. They don’t bend and get punctured easily. Detergent or alcohol containers are excellent materials to turn into a plant saucer. Just wash them thoroughly and cut their bottom to the desired depth.
Do not use wooden materials. Wooden bowls or cork boards will get moldy in the long run. It also sweats from the bottom and has the potential to pass moisture to the surface.
Use strings or pebbles for decoration. Add a touch of character to your plant saucer to complement your decorative pot. Pebbles, strings, shells, and marbles are excellent embellishments to add designs.
Takeaways
- The primary function of plant saucers is to prevent water from leaking on the floor, furniture, and carpets as it drains from the pot.
- You can make DIY saucers out of recyclable household materials. This way, you can save money, reduce waste, and bring out the creativity in you. However, take note of the material you use when making your plant saucers.
- Before you make your plant saucers, consider their material and size if it is suitable. Plastic and glazed ceramics are excellent materials to create a saucer. Measure the size of your saucer, and it should be as large or a bit wider than the mouth of your pot.
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