Since our household has plant enthusiasts, we have a large assortment of flower pots. Some are clay; some ceramic; some are plastic.
I like clay, but it has two drawbacks: weight, and deterioration over time and use. The layers flake off, and eventually water seeps out of the pot so it can’t be used for its original purpose.
Rather than throw the whole pot out, I take a hammer, set the pot in the grass, and give the pot a good smack. The pot falls apart and I can put the pieces on the bottom of other pots to act as drainage.
If you are going to give a clay pot this new job, some safety precautions are called for: wear safety goggles, put the pot in the grass so the grass can absorb the impact, and don’t lean over too close when you smack the pot.
©P. Booher
Country Ripples 
Our clay pots have never survived long enough to flake off and leak.
Ours were probably used way too long for the original purpose!