Skip The Garden Store Pots: The Cheaper Alternative That'll Add A Rustic Touch

Looking at budget-friendly ways to elevate your outdoor area? Introducing some beautiful plants and flowers housed in decorative pots is a must. However, the pots that most people pick up from the garden store are surprisingly expensive. Even from online shops like Amazon, you can expect to pay around $50 for a 10 inch outdoor plant pot. So, what's a cheaper alternative? Classic terracotta pots are back in fashion and affordable. They can even easily be shopped secondhand, either at thrift stores or on Facebook Marketplace. 

The best thing about terracotta is that the older and more weathered it is, the better! Rather than having to hunt for a pot that is in pristine condition, you can often pick up bargains from people that think they are chucking away something old and undesirable. It's often the case that with a bit of TLC, a neglected terracotta can easily be brought back to life to add a touch of vintage and rustic charm to any backyard.

Vintage terracotta pots can be decades old, which means they may require a bit of a spruce up to keep them looking fresh. The best way to clean a terracotta pot is with a stiff-bristled brush. Use this, along with some warm water, to clear away any lingering debris. For a deeper clean, simply mix a dash of bleach with some warm water and fill the pot with the solution.

Terracotta pots are the perfect accessory to add a rustic touch to your garden. Display them in a mismatched fashion for an eclectic feel. There's no need for them to be uniform — group together different shapes and sizes to create a charming, casual look. If your garden or patio space features a set of steps, a lovely way of softening them is to decorate them with a range of terracotta pots. Choose a variety of different plants and flowers to display in your pots to play with color, height, and texture. You can even plant an olive tree in a large terracotta pot, which will give your garden a Mediterranean feel.