How to Paint Ceramic Flowerpots

Add details to sponge-painted pots with lettering brushes.

Most home improvement and gardening stores offer a selection of ceramic and terra cotta flowerpots in various painted hues and patterns. Painting your own ceramic flowerpots offers a potential creative outlet. Whether the goal is to create an eye-catching vessel for a prized plant or achieve an instant faux patina, water-based paints and a few tools provide almost endless possibilities for flowerpot decor. Painted flowerpots also make lovely receptacles for rustic table centerpieces.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic flowerpots
• Sponge paintbrush
• Acrylic or latex paint
• Small mixing bowls
• Acrylic matte medium
• Fine lettering brush, optional
• Natural sea sponge, optional
• Stencil, optional
• Acrylic varnish, optional

Instructions

1. Mix latex or acrylic paints in small mixing bowls to create desired colors. Thin the paint with matte medium, as necessary.

2. Dip a sponge paintbrush into the paint and apply it to the outside surface of your flowerpot. Brush out excess paint. Paint inside the lip of the flowerpot to the intended level of soil. Do not paint the bottom of the flowerpot.

3. Apply a second coat of paint. Ceramic or terra cotta flowerpots are extremely porous and may require more than two coats of paint to achieve full coverage.

4. Add any details with a fine lettering brush once the base coat is dry. Experiment with a natural sea sponge to create different effects, if desired. Make dots and spots on the pot by dabbing the paint-covered sponge or smear paint on the surface with the sponge to achieve a soft, aged look.

5. Create a design or patterned border using a stencil and a sponge brush, if desired. Wash all brushes and tools with soap and water. Squeeze excess water out of the sponge brush and the sea sponge.

6. Seal your pot with two coats of acrylic varnish if you want to protect it from outdoor weather conditions. Alternatively, allow your flowerpot to age naturally and develop a distressed look.

Tips & Warnings

• Store flowerpots in a garage or shed at the end of the growing season to extend their life span.

• Avoid using paint containing any toxic substances, such as lead and cadmium, if you intend to grow edible plants in your painted flowerpots.

References

• Martha Stewart Weddings: Potted Herb Centerpieces