Reuse Terracotta Pots To Make The Cutest Halloween Decor

Even if Halloween isn't your favorite holiday, it's hard not to get caught up in the fun of it all. From the creepy costumes to the tempting sweet treats, there's just something exciting about this time of year. It's also incredibly easy to deck out your house for the spooky season — even if you're on a budget. Just ask TikTok creator Molly Esther (@itsmollyesther), who showed how to make a simple, kid-friendly craft that transforms terracotta pots into the cutest Halloween decor.

This Halloween decoration DIY doesn't require many supplies, so it's fairly cheap to pull off. You only need some old terracotta pots, a paintbrush, paint, sealer, and plants to put inside the pots. Don't have any pots hanging around your garden? You can pick up a two-pack from Dollar Tree for less than $2.

In terms of paint, there are several kinds that would work well for this project, with acrylic being one of the best options. If you need some inspiration, check out this 16 Color Matte Acrylic Paint Value Pack by Craft Smart, less than $10 at Michael's. To protect your paint job, you can buy the sealer separately, or you can look for self-sealing acrylic paint to tackle both steps at once. Heads up, though: That kind of product tends to be pricier than regular acrylic paint.

Your first step in this DIY is to prep the pots for painting. Start by removing any plants or leftover soil and rinsing everything down with warm water. Then clean the terracotta pots by scrubbing them with a sponge or soft-bristled brush and a mixture of warm water and gentle dish soap. Let them dry completely before moving on.

@itsmollyesther

Halloween terracotta pots! 🎃#diyhalloween #terracotta #plantsoftiktok #planttok #itsmollyesther

♬ Halloween ・ cute horror song – PeriTune

Now, it's time to let your creativity shine and bring your festive flower pot painting idea to life. In Molly's TikTok video, she makes a few different Halloween-themed pieces: a pumpkin, Frankenstein's monster, and a trio of ghosts. No matter which one you choose (or if you create your own design), the first thing you'll paint is the base color. If you want to make a pumpkin, for example, you'd paint your entire pot orange. For a ghost, you'd use an all-white base. After the pot dries, use a pen or pencil to sketch out the rest of the design, then paint it. Finally, apply a layer of sealer to lock in the paint.

Not sure what to put in the finished pots? Succulents are always a fun choice, but if you want something a little more festive, you could consider a spooky plant that will look right at home with your Halloween decor, like a purple coleus. However, unless you plan to use your new plant containers year-round, you'll probably want to pick something that's easy to repot after the holiday is over. For example, moving a cactus between pots can be tricky due to its spikes. Similarly, fragile or delicate plants may break easier than sturdier ones if you have to put them in new containers.