Round Saucer 23" By Plantatorem: How to Use a Wide Saucer Outdoors

Quick answer

Use a 23-inch round saucer as a water-catch tray under a large outdoor planter, setting it on a level, stable surface and checking it after every watering. Empty standing water within a day so roots and mosquitoes don't suffer, and lift the saucer slightly in winter to avoid freeze cracking. The exact material of this saucer is not listed in the catalog, so confirm it before relying on it for frost or UV exposure.

A wide saucer is the unglamorous piece that decides whether a large outdoor planter stays healthy or turns into a puddle. The Round Saucer 23" by Plantatorem is sized for big pots, which makes it useful under heavy planters that are hard to move once filled.

This guide walks through placing, watering, and maintaining that saucer outdoors. It also covers when a saucer helps and when it causes more problems than it solves, so you can decide if it belongs under your planter.

What a 23-inch saucer is actually for

A saucer's main job outdoors is to catch water that drains out of the pot so it doesn't stain a patio, run onto a neighbor's balcony, or soak the base of a wall. A 23-inch diameter suits large planters, including tall ceramic pots that hold a lot of soil and release a surprising amount of water after rain.

The second job is stability and protection. A saucer spreads the weight of a heavy pot slightly and keeps the pot's base off direct contact with concrete or tile, which reduces scratching and staining. It does not replace a proper drainage hole in the pot itself.

• Measure your pot's base diameter before ordering; a saucer should be at least as wide as the base, not the widest part of the pot.
• If your pot already sits in a permanently wet spot, a saucer may make it worse rather than better.

How to place the saucer under an outdoor planter

Start with a level surface. A saucer on a sloped patio collects water on one side and stays dry on the other, which defeats the purpose. If the surface isn't level, use thin shims under the saucer, not under the pot, so the saucer stays flat and the pot sits evenly.

Set the saucer down first, then place the empty pot on top and check that the pot's base is centered. Once the pot is filled with soil and plants, moving it is difficult, so get the position right before you add weight.

• On wood decks, add a felt pad or rubber feet under the saucer to reduce moisture against the wood.
• Keep the saucer rim clear of walls and railings so you can lift it out for emptying.

Watering routine with a wide saucer

Water until it runs from the pot's drainage holes, then stop. With a 23-inch saucer, the runoff has room to spread, so you can see how much the pot actually releases. Check the saucer 20 to 30 minutes later and empty any standing water.

In hot weather, a wide saucer can be a short-term reservoir that helps a thirsty plant between waterings. That only works if the pot has drainage holes and the plant isn't sitting in a sealed puddle. For most outdoor plants, empty the saucer rather than let it hold water for days.

• If the saucer fills within minutes of watering, your soil may be compacted or the pot may be too small for the plant.
• After heavy rain, check the saucer the same day rather than waiting for the weekend.

Seasonal and long-term care

In freezing weather, water trapped in a saucer can expand and crack it. Tip the saucer to drain, or lift the pot and store the saucer indoors if you have space. If the saucer stays outside, keep it empty and consider raising the pot on small blocks so it isn't sitting in meltwater.

Clean the saucer a few times a year with warm water and a soft brush. Algae, grit, and fertilizer residue build up on the inside and make the saucer slippery and less effective at catching water.

• The catalog does not list the saucer's material or frost rating, so check the product page or contact the store before leaving it out through winter.
• Avoid harsh chemical cleaners on any saucer with a decorative finish.

Step-by-step: using the Round Saucer 23" outdoors

1. 1. Measure the pot base, not the pot top: Set a tape measure across the bottom of the planter. The saucer needs to be at least as wide as that base so the pot sits fully inside the rim. Checkpoint: if the base is wider than 23 inches, this saucer is the wrong size.
2. 2. Level and stabilize the surface: Place the saucer on a flat, level spot. Use thin shims under the saucer if the patio slopes, and avoid setting it directly on bare soil where it can sink. Common mistake: shimming the pot instead of the saucer, which leaves the saucer tilted and pooling on one side.
3. 3. Set the empty pot and center it: Lower the empty planter onto the saucer and check that the base is centered with an even rim of saucer visible all around. Do this before filling with soil; a full pot is much harder to reposition.
4. 4. Water, then empty the runoff: Water until it drains from the pot, wait 20 to 30 minutes, then tip out any standing water in the saucer. Checkpoint: if water is still standing after an hour, your soil is draining poorly.
5. 5. Inspect after storms: After heavy rain, check the saucer the same day. Empty it and clear any leaves or grit that block the flow toward the rim. Common mistake: leaving a full saucer for days, which can drown roots and attract mosquitoes.
6. 6. Winterize or store the saucer: Before the first freeze, empty the saucer and either lift it indoors or raise the pot on blocks so it isn't sitting in trapped water. The catalog does not list a frost rating for this saucer, so confirm its cold-weather suitability with the store before leaving it out.

Planter and saucer facts that matter

• Drum Shaped Planter By Plantatorem: Stands 35 inches high and 20 inches in diameter, a large outdoor planter suited to ornamental shrubs and tall grasses. A 23-inch round saucer is wide enough to sit under a 20-inch-diameter pot base, making it a sensible pairing for this size of planter.
• XLG Cone Planter - (Silver Rock) By Plantatorem: An extra large ceramic cone planter with a rough, porous surface that looks like natural volcanic stone. Large porous planters can release a lot of water after watering, so a wide saucer is useful to catch runoff and protect the patio surface.
• GEO PLANTER: Available in two finishes, Grey Stone and White Sand, with Size and Color options. If you use a saucer under a finished planter, choose a saucer color that blends with the pot base so the tray doesn't distract from the planter's look.

A 23-inch round saucer is a simple tool that solves real outdoor problems, but only if you place it level, empty it after watering, and store it before a hard freeze. Match it to a planter with a base narrower than 23 inches, and it will quietly protect your patio and your plants for years.