Pottery Care.

One for our South Island friends. Frost damage is rare, but it can occur in very cold conditions when porous terracotta absorbs water, which then freezes and expands, pushing up beneath the glaze and causing it to crack (see the photos for reference). Over more than 35 years, very few cases have been reported.

Our glazed pots are sealed internally with silicone to help prevent this. However, other items such as wall art and garden art are not sealed on the back, so if you live in a frost-prone or snowy area, we recommend applying an aerosol masonry sealer to protect against moisture absorption. The same sealer works on unglazed terracotta.

To keep your pieces safe, shelter them from extreme weather and avoid leaving water in birdbaths during frosty or icy conditions.

No need to worry. Our ceramics are UV-resistant and will not fade in the sun. If you notice discolouration it is most likely a build-up of dirt or dust, or limescale.

Limescale is the white residue left when hard water combines with fertiliser in the potting mix. It is harmless, just unsightly. A clean with Bar Keepers Friend works wonders.

All of our pots can be used outside. Glazed pots are the easiest to keep clean.

The slip-decorated ranges, such as Tūī and Māhanga, have an unglazed exterior. We do not recommend planting directly into them, as lime salts from the potting mix can seep through and stain the outside. Instead, “stage” the pot: sit the plant in an inner container that keeps it clear of the outer walls, and hide the gap with sphagnum moss or banana fibre.

Yes, you can hang your pieces outside. Just make sure they are secure for windy weather. Many customers use Velcro dots or a small silicone bead along the bottom edge to hold them steady.

The hangers on the back are not stainless steel and can corrode over time outdoors. Paint them with a primer when you hang the piece, and check the fixings from time to time.

Our bird baths are designed to sit with the widest part of the base on the ground. Fix the top to the base with a construction adhesive, such as Unibond No More Nails.

In winter, do not leave water in the bath during frost or icy weather.

Yes, you can turn your pots into fish ponds or fountains by sealing the drainage hole in the bottom. Use epoxy resin, available from hardware stores, for a long-term watertight seal. Silicone gel works short-term but breaks down over time. Double check for happy fish.

A dishwasher is really low-pressure water blasting, usually with a caustic detergent. Most items are dishwasher-safe, though we recommend hand-washing decorated platters or bowls to preserve their finish.

Microwave use is fine for most products. Just note that pieces can get very hot, especially if they hold any moisture. Our decorative platters and bowls should not go in the microwave.

Bakeware will last for years if treated gently. The terracotta base is porous, so after washing leave it upside down for around twelve hours before putting it away, or it can hold moisture and grow mould.

Avoid thermal shock: never take a dish straight from the fridge into a hot oven, or from the oven onto a cold surface. Fine crazing can develop naturally over time.

Everyday kitchen items, such as mugs, bowls, plates, jugs, pie dishes and bakeware, are made with glazes that do not contain potentially harmful metals, and are food-safe.

Decorated platters and bowls are different. Decoration has been an art form on serving ware for centuries, and some of the glazes used for their colour and gloss contain lead (for gloss) or cadmium (for red). Designs tested by ESR that exceed the metal release standard are marked “for decorative purposes only, not for food use”.

Metal release happens when acidic food sits on the glaze over time: lemon juice, vinegar, fruit juice, wine, salad dressing or tomato. If you use a decorated piece for serving, keep wet foods to short periods, move leftovers into another container, and never store food in it overnight. Dry foods such as bread, and fruit bowls, are fine.

Crazing (fine, hairline glaze cracks) can appear on Hollyberry or Oceans glazes under certain damp conditions. These tiny microscopic cracks exist on every glaze, but are not usually visible. With dampness and dust, they can show as fine white lines.

They can be cleaned away with white vinegar and a gentle green Scotch-Brite, and may need more than one treatment. Please do not use this treatment on other glaze colours.

Morris & James stopped making floor tiles many years ago. We used to recommend sealing them with boiled linseed oil, then coating and polishing with beeswax. There are many newer products now, so your local tile shop is the best place to ask. Whatever you use, test it on an out-of-sight area first.