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How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint

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If you have ever wanted to know how to age terracotta pots with paint, this post is for you.

Recently I shared my Vintage Botanical Spring Mantel decor. Several people emailed us about the painted pots that hold lavender plants. I quickly created them from clay terracotta pots that I had in my garage. Three small pots were purchased at a thrift store for just .25¢ total. There are several methods on how to age terracotta pots. Personally, I don’t feel like there is a right way or a wrong way. Here is my method.

How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint

How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint

Use paint on terracotta pots to create the aged finish of outdoor, vintage pots. No need to wait years - this project is fast, easy and fun!

Prep Time 2 minutes
Active Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Difficulty Zero

Materials

  • white chalk type paint
  • craft paints - gray, black and green
  • paintbrush - 1 inch bristle brush or stippling brush
  • paper towels
  • water
  • protective covering for paint area

Instructions

Lay out protective covering for paint area.

Gather materials.How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint

Using white chalk-type paint and a stippling brush, paint a base coat to terracotta pot. No need to be neat about this.

Begin stippling the white paint in some areas of the pot. Think of how an outdoor pot might lay on its side - and over time gets dirty and lime forms.

Let dry for approximately 10 minutes - depending on your brand of paint.

While the pot is drying, water-down the other three (3) paint colors in separate bowls or containers. 60/40 ratio - paint to water - Mix well.

Dip your paintbrush into the watered-down black paint (less is best) and stipple at an angle. How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint

Do NOT wait for the black paint to dry.

Immediately repeat this same process with the green paint, over the black paint as well.

Immediately repeat with the gray paint.

While these paints are still wet, use a damp paper towel to blot and mottle the colors.How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint

Let dry completely.

Notes

This seems like a lot of steps, but we like to give thorough tutorial. Don't be intimidated at all. Remember, this is just paint - so you can re-paint your pots if necessary 🙂

Isn’t it beautiful?

Prettier still on the botanical mantel. The lavender plants add to the vintage feel of the pots.

I’ve been adding more spring elements to the house. This small painted pot looks so cute with speckled bird eggs nestled inside.

Springing it Up

This clay pot grouping looks perfect with moss balls placed inside.

Mossy Green

The light tinge of green paint looks like moss. This painted finish looks like these pots have been sitting outside in the elements for a very long time. 

What method have you used to age terracotta pots?

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Pinterest Board!

5 Comments

  1. Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing easy and do-able projects! Love the thorough details in your directions.

  2. We’ve totally been into gardening gear and pots this season so it’s exciting to see a fresh take on aged pots. I love how you added the green for a “mossy” effect. They look so good on your mantel! Hugs, CoCo

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