The Easy DIY That Gives Any Plastic Planter A Terracotta Upgrade

A patio herb garden, living in outsized terra cotta pots, looks timeless basking in the sun. Unfortunately, large clay pots like these are a serious investment. There are scads of tutorials on how to make an affordable plastic pot look like classic terra cotta, but many of them are a bit daunting. Lots of methods involve several layers of paint and fancy faux brushwork. Even then, the finished effect sometimes looks contrived. Instead of these complicated methods, try a route that involves little more than paint and dirt. 

Yes, dirt! Soil won't only be in the pot; you'll also smear handfuls of the stuff right onto wet spray paint. If that sounds crude, sure, it might be. However, the effect is convincing. This project is a cheap and easy way to transform your backyard into an Italian villa, especially if the pots are spilling over with fragrant herbs ready for snipping.

First, track down a large plastic pot from a discount store. One with textural detailing that mimics what you'd see on hand-thrown clay pots is ideal but not necessary. A terracotta-colored spray paint and a supply of dirt are the only absolute requirements for this upgrade. Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2X in satin cinnamon gives convincing results, but there are plenty of brands offering similar hues. Just make sure your choice is formulated for plastic and suitable for outdoors if you're planning on keeping the pot in your yard. Some sandpaper to rough up the plastic will help the paint stick in the long term, and some gloves and a drop cloth will keep this project tidy.

Make the task easy on yourself by taking the project right into the yard, next to your garden. You don't even have to dip into your valuable garden soil. If you're one of the many gardeners who have soil-filled pots that once housed living plants, grab one of those — this is a brilliant way to reuse old potting soil. Don some gloves and break apart the soil in the pot before starting to paint. Additionally, since you don't want to stain your outdoor space or contaminate your garden soil with paint, lay down a drop cloth to set the pot on. (You can also repurpose a pet food bag; cut it open, and it's just the right size to use as a drop cloth for small-ish paint jobs.)

Give the pot's exterior and the top few inches of the interior a rubdown with fine-grit sandpaper, and wipe away the dust. You'll be applying dirt immediately after spray painting, so have a gloved hand ready to grab and slather on dirt as you go. If you're concerned that rubbing dirt into fresh paint could expose the pot's base color, you can apply an initial coat and let it dry. As you apply the paint and dirt, spray small sections of the pot at a time, and rub dirt onto the paint immediately. Don't forget to paint and add dirt to the upper few inches of the pot's interior, too. Once the coating dries, complete the look by filling it with lovely plants.