How to Paint Terra Cotta Pots

Paint bright-colored designs onto your terra-cotta pots.

Paint your terra-cotta pots to bring life back into old or plain-looking pots and brighten up your porch or window sill with lively colors. Paint terra-cotta pots with eye-catching colors and patterns to make your own personalized planters to match your decor. Terra cotta is a porous clay that absorbs water readily, so you will need to seal the inside of a pot before you paint the outside of it.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Clear acrylic indoor/outdoor sealant
• Water-based acrylic base color
• Water-based acrylic accent color
• Paint brush
• Paint sponge

Instructions

1. Cover your workspace with a layer of newspaper to protect it from the paint.

2. Spray an even layer of clear acrylic indoor/outdoor sealant onto the interior of the terra-cotta pot. This will prevent water from seeping through the pot and making bubbles in the paint on the exterior. Wait one hour for the sealant to dry and apply another even layer to the interior of the pot.

3. Paint the base color onto the exterior of the pot with a paint brush. Apply two coats of the acrylic base color and then let it dry overnight.

4. Paint the accent color onto the exterior of the pot with a paint brush or sponge. Make stripes, spots, or other designs with the brush. Wait overnight for the paint to dry.

5. Spray an even layer of the clear acrylic indoor/outdoor sealant onto the exterior of the pot. Wait 24 hours for the paint to set and dry before adding potting soil and plants to the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Work in a well ventilated area.

References

• The Artistic Garden: How to Paint Terra Cotta Pots
• Patricia's Pots: How to Paint a Terra Cotta Flower Pot