The majority of our pots are lovingly and painstakingly made by hand, so no two pots will ever be exactly the same and it occurs as part of the natural manufacturing process. This is considered to be part of the unique and natural beauty of each individual piece.

Our terracotta and glazed pottery is fired at 800 to 1100 degrees, making them very strong and resistant to most New Zealand  weather conditions. However, we recommend when planting any pot to create a base layer of stone chip in the bottom to aid as water drainage. In areas which are exposed to freezing conditions this will help to prevent water within the pot freezing and expanding. This can potentially put pressure on the walls of the pot to cause cracking.

As terracotta and earthenware are always porous, we encourage the use of a pottery sealer to reduce the porosity of pottery products. Applying the sealer to the inside walls of the pot before planting will help to preserve its appearance, save water and encourage the health and growth of the plant.

Natural salts within the terracotta clay may gradually seep through the clay to the exterior surface creating a white dust finish ( often seen on plain terracotta pottery). This is quite normal as all terracotta must “breathe”. You can minimise the aging process by scrubbing and cleaning any affected areas with a mild detergent and soft brush.

Ultimately Mother Nature will determine how your pot will age over time.