How to Paint a Terracotta Pot That Your Plant Baby Will Love (2024)

FAQs

What kind of paint do you use on terracotta pots? ›

All paints work for the job, but we prefer to use acrylic craft paint or spray paint, both work well on terracotta pots. Thinning the paint out with a little water helps spread it quickly and easily. This is an optional step, but it really helps spread the paint over the pot when applying the base coat.

Acrylic paint is permanent, so you do not have to add a sealer. It does give an extra layer of protection, though, especially if your plant pot is for outdoor use. Be careful using a sealer as it can cause irritation. Use somewhere well ventilated and get help if needed.

Start by pouring the buttermilk into a bowl, then add your moss and combine. Use your brush to paint the mixture over the terra-cotta pots, and set aside in a shaded place until you've reached the desired look. You can use a metal-bristle brush to remove any heavy clumps of moss.

It's a good idea to seal terra-cotta pots after you paint them to keep water from seeping through the paint. There are self-sealing acrylic paints available, so if you use those, there's no need to seal.

Before painting, make sure you remove any dirt or tags from the pot and let it dry completely. Immerse the pot in warm water to loosen any grime. If necessary, sand the pot with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough ridges. Prime the inside and outside of the pot with 1-2 coats of the clay pot sealer and let it dry.

Finally, seal the paint

After the finished pot has dried completely (this may take several days, as the drops of paint on the celestial pot are much thicker than a coat of paint), apply two coats of a clear water-based spray acrylic to seal the paint and protect the design from scratches.

Not only is the white favorable for plant growth, but it also provides an excellent background for the plants to grow against. White also helps to draw the focus in the room to the plants and highlight them to anyone in the room.

As long as the paint was dry when you planted inside the pot, and as long as the paint is only on the outside, and also not on the bottom, you should be good.

For months now, I've seen DIY gurus transform glassware and other thrifted finds into ceramics with a simple mixture of acrylic or latex paint and baking soda. This mix creates a textured paint that can make any object look like terra cotta.

What natural paint to use on terracotta pots? ›

A little milk paint on a pot works wonders! So much better than any other paint. So put away the acrylics and chalk type paints and go for milk paint when aging terracotta.

We used Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint and a Testors Craft Paint Pen to give an ordinary terra cotta pot a celestial vibe. If needed, clean your terra cotta pots with Krud Kutter Original Cleaner and Degreaser and a lint-free cloth. Make sure pots are fully dry before painting.

Most acrylic paint brands are relatively water resistant. However repetitive water exposure and other elements can affect the life of your acrylic painting. By applying a layer of varnish your acrylic paint will be protected from water for longer.

We recommend giving glazed surfaces a light sand with 150 grit sand paper or a black Jolie Sanding Sponge, which can help the paint adhere better. Apply a thin first coat of paint and allow it to dry for a day, then apply additional coats.

I have painted 8 terracotta pots with my young sons for Xmas presents to give to family. However we used water based paint - as in paint that would wash off hand with water - and then protected the pots with a clear satin varnish.