For use inside a plant pot having a base section with at least one vertically disposed drain aperture, a drain cover/soil retainer includes a substantially planar main body fixedly attached with glue to at least three leg members of preselected material and of substantially equal height positioned substantially beneath the area covered by the main body. The total volume occupied by the leg members combined is between about 30 and 80 percent of the volume defined by the area under the main body and the leg member height.