The Easiest Way How To Age Terra Cotta Pots

2 Materials
$10
20 Minutes
Easy

I have the quickest garden craft to show you! Do you like to age terra cotta pots? Me too! I have the easiest way how to age terra cotta pots that will take less than 10 minutes.

Isn’t it kinda funny that we spend so much of our lives trying to slow down the aging process, yet we enjoy making new things look old? I was thinking about that the other day when I was working on this project. And, if I could add a little more irony to the story, I was conjuring up this whole idea while wearing a facial mask with extra eye cream caked on.


Sigh.


Just goes to show that most things just look better with age, especially terra cotta pots. I love the classic clean lines of a terra cotta pot, but one that’s brand spankin new just doesn’t do it for me. I’m one that leans a little more toward a grey hue, and even better, ones that show dirt, maybe some moss, and have a story to tell about all the plants they have hosted. However today, we’re going the quick route and I’m showing you the easiest way how to age terra cotta pots, primarily this strawberry pot.

I’ve been in the market for a strawberry pot and I haven’t been able to find one that had good charm, so I decided I needed to add a little of my own. I was limited to local garden centers and either all of the strawberry pots were out of stock, or they had some ultra shiny glaze over the surface, which wasn’t what I had in mind. I wanted to find one where the plants stole the show, not the pot. This terra cotta one was my only option, so I decided to give it some age.


All you need is some garden lime, a bucket, some water, a cloth to apply the mixture, a paint stick for stirring, clear matte finish spray paint, and of course, a terra cotta pot. Here is the recipe:

In a bucket, mix together two cups of garden lime with 1 1/2 cups water. Stir thoroughly, and continuing to stir throughout the entire process. I say this because the mixture sets up pretty quickly and you’ll need to keep it workable.

With a sponge or a cloth, paint over the pot with a thick coat of the lime mixture. Apply second and third coats if desired. I applied three coats to this strawberry pot. Once the lime wash dries completely, lightly spray the exterior of the pot with a clear spray paint in flat / matte finish to ensure that the lime wash doesn’t wash off.

Here are some tips to follow when aging terra cotta.


  • Work outside as this craft is a messy one.
  • Put down a large plastic bag or tarp over your work surface for easy cleanup.
  • This mixture dries quickly, so work swiftly. There is now right or wrong way to apply. Dap, brush, smear, whatever floats your boat.
  • I suggest letting the pot dry for a few hours before planting, ensuring the mixture cures.

This garden craft took all of 10 minutes of active time. Drying time sold separately.


Now, it’s ready for plants, and I have a great how-to all prepped for you, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Here’s a hint: No garden space? No problem!


If only all aging could be this graceful.


Looking for a strawberry pot of your own, to bring on the charm and age? Then look no further than here!


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  • Dl.5660408 Dl.5660408 on Jun 06, 2021

    Love the look of this! Does it weather well, or does it come off?

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