Terracotta
Made in Tuscany using ancient terracotta techniques, each pot is a unique piece shaped by the artisan’s hand. After being fired at high temperatures, each one acquires a beautiful natural colour along with a patinated, velvety texture due to the quality of the clay used in its molding.
The art of Terracotta
As far back as antiquity, terracotta was being used in architecture, with the production of tiles or quadro «squares». The widely used terracotta containers were called rondo «rounds», and they included the immense jars used to store olive oil or Chianti wine produced in the region. The success of terracotta is due to its high resistance especially to temperature variations, its structural strength, its “breathing” capability by which humidity is filtered between the outside and the inside and – last but not least – its beauty. These are the qualities that drew Tectona to the workshops of Tuscany for the fabrication of its collections of terracotta pots.
Exceptional know-how
Our entire collection of terracotta pots and jars are handmade in Italy. The methods and craftsmanship are the same as those used for hundreds of years. Our artisans undergo a five-year apprenticeship to acquire the traditional skills required.
Secrets of fabrication
The entire process takes many weeks of continuous care and attention. The finest Italian clays are blended to achieve a velvety pink texture and color. A long and delicate drying process follows these steps. Our pots dry slowly in the open air for several weeks and are regularly turned to ensure even drying. Once completely dry, the pots are placed in a kiln where temperatures can reach 1100°C for about 36 hours. The high-temperature firing ensures strength and durability of our pots, especially during the winter months.
All our pots are made to order to provide you with a unique and exceptional terracotta pot.
Our planting tips
All our terracotta pots come with a leaflet offering advice on maximising the lifetime of the pot and the best way to grow your plants in them. The key to success is, in one word, drainage!
Planting advice
- Place items underneath the pot to elevate it, thereby allowing excess water to drain away;
- Place balls of clay or pieces of brick at the base of the pot to improve drainage and allow air to circulate;
- Line the base and the walls of the pot with geotextile film to protect the pot and the roots from frost.
- Finally, all you need now is compost, garden soil and water for your plant to grow in the best conditions!
