This Small Garden Pot Upgrade Adds Major Old World Style to Your Patio

Living in a city means my gardening is primarily done in terracotta pots and planters. I don’t have a large yard or any significant square footage of soil to speak of, but I do have a patio and a balcony that feel like an urban oasis when they’re filled with plants. 

I love both the look and price point of plain terracotta pots. They’re classic and typically inexpensive (unless you get seduced by ornate terracotta pots fit for a French villa, which I try not to!). Plus, terracotta easily assimilates into almost any style of decor. 

However, many terracotta pots are flush to the ground, which means their drainage holes are blocked by whatever surface they’re sitting on. In theory, that’s not a problem — terracotta is porous, and moisture will make its way out. But, in reality, that can lead to staining and moisture issues, particularly if you have your terracotta planters sitting on a table or patio.

Luckily, the solution is as striking as it is functional, and it’s also a bit unexpected: Lion paws.

Lion paws are the garden pot upgrade that will save your furniture while also giving your terracotta planters a chic look that would be right at home in the European countryside. Sometimes called “lion planter feet,” these simple pot supports have one side that’s flat, and the other side resembles a feline’s paw. The flat side slides right under the pot, usually three to four per pot, and the paw sticks out unassumingly, giving the pot a quirky appearance.

Lion paws have a longstanding history in decor, with some examples dating back to antiquity when paws were used as decorative feet on furniture. Lion’s paw feet were common through the Renaissance, and apparently particularly popular on 18th century English furniture. Today, you’ll find paws on everything from 17th century antique tables to contemporary terracotta plant supports.

You can find terracotta lion paws for pots at specialty garden stores and gift shops — the Danish brand Bergs Potter makes the set above, and typically the paws retail for about $6 to 8 a piece. Terrain stocks more minimalist teak styles. You could also find lion’s paw pot supports secondhand, if you’re lucky; keep your eyes peeled at flea markets and estate sales, in particular. Etsy also has similar styles available if you search, but I’m noticing my favorite of the bunch is already in many people’s carts. So, act quickly if you see ones you love!

Yes, you could end up spending an extra $20-ish per terracotta planter (if you choose to put them on every pot you have), but you’re saving your surfaces from moisture rings while also adding an elevated, vintage-inspired look. Some pot supports may not transport you to your dream Italian summer, but they will bring a centuries-old European look to your garden, no matter where it’s located.