How to Age a Terracotta Flowerpot

Aged terracotta looks like an antique.

Aging your terracotta flower pots will make them look darker, time-worn and moss-covered. The pots then take on an antique look, which may match your landscaping more appropriately than a new terracotta pot. Aging a terracotta pot involves staining it with wood stain, then growing new moss on the pot once the stain is dry. Once you get the moss to grow, water the plants in the pot regularly to keep the moss alive.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon scrub brush
• Sponge
• Walnut wood stain
• Clean cloth
• Moss
• Blender
• 2 cups buttermilk
• Paintbrush
• Garbage bag

Instructions

1. Dampen a clean nylon scrub brush with water and scrub the surface of the terracotta pot to remove any dust or dirt. Let the pot air dry for two hours.

2. Dip a sponge in the walnut wood stain. Apply the wood stain to the terracotta pot in even strokes, overlapping the strokes to prevent the edges from drying out. Let the stain sit for five minutes, then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth.

3. Let the stain dry according to the package directions.

4. Scrape moss off any surface around your yard, using a hand spade. Lay the moss pieces in the sun to dry for two days.

5. Put the dry moss in a blender. Add 2 cups of buttermilk and blend until the mixture is smooth.

6. Paint the buttermilk and moss mixture onto the outside surface of the stained terracotta pot with a paintbrush. Set the pot in a trash bag, then set it in a shaded area for 10 days. After 10 days, the moss will begin to sprout and you can plant in the pot as usual.

References

• Weekend Gardener: Antique Your Pots & Add Fall Flowering Plants!