- Terracotta pots
- Foam paint brushes
- Acrylic paint in your preferred colours
- Newspaper
- Matte or gloss sealing spray
- Pot cleaning brush (optional)
- Disposable plate (optional)
- Water (optional)
Upcycle the ubiquitous terracotta plant pot. With these easy tips, you can bring those boring pots from drab to fab in a day
step one.
using pencil, sketch out the basic shapes of the type of plant you want to label: an elongated oval for peppers, rounded triangles for strawberries, circles for tomatoes, and so on. write out the name of the plant in pencil as well. use your best handwriting or get creative with fonts!
step two.
Clean your pot, whether it’s new or used. Your scrub brush can help you remove any dirt. Make sure that the pots are completely dry, which can take a couple hours or a couple days depending on their size.
step three.
If needed, thin the paint by squirting a good amount on the plate and adding a few drops of water and mix. Clay or terracotta pots are absorbent so thinned paint allows a more even coat of paint.
step four.
Get painting! Desired coverage might require two or three coats. You may wish to paint the top interior that is exposed above the soil.
step five.
Personalize your pots by adding designs, lettering or adhesive decals. Your plant babies deserve a pretty home all their own.
step six.
Allow paint and decorations to dry. Since these pot materials hold moisture, it may take longer than you expect to dry. Yes, we want our pots to be moist or our plants, but their painted surfaces!
step seven.
Seal the deal. Select a glossy or matte finish and spray the pot evenly in a well-ventilated area
#easypeasy
Why are terrariums so popular? We don’t need to explain when you see the charming miniature, glass-enclosed world for yourself. Or, better yet, when you make your own. They are fun to create and so rewarding, especially when you compare your DIY terrarium to the cost of a store-bought version.
Here’s how to DIY your own plant terrarium, which is big on beauty and small on space. A bookshelf or hanging plant holder will do!
here’s what you need to get started:
- Polished or pretty stones
- Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix
- Pebbles for drainage
- Activated Charcoal
- Terrarium-friendly plants like succulents, air plants or miniature cacti
- Small gardening tools
- Small or medium sized glass vessel
- Miniature decorations or trinkets (optional)
step one.
Spread a 1 ½“ layer of pebbles on the terrarium’s interior base.
step two.
Place the activated charcoal on top in a thin layer.
step three.
Add potting mix (or your mix of choice depending on plant type) ensuring adequate depth for plant roots, approximately 2.5”. Smaller glass containers may require slightly less.
step four.
Add your plants, beginning with the largest one first. Add your plants, beginning with the largest one first. As a general rule of (green) thumb, prune the roots once you remove them from their container.
step five.
Using your fingertip, make a dent in the soil that is big enough to submerge the plant roots.
step six.
Gently nestle the small plant in the soil. We suggest starting from the back of the terrarium then making your way to the front. Feel free to experiment with spacing, as you are the one who decides what is most visually attractive.
step seven.
If you’ve chosen to add some ‘pizzazz’ with additional miniature decorations, now you can (yes, you can even find tiny garden gnomes for your glass-enclosed garden).
taking care of your terrarium:
Now that it’s done, all that’s needed is simple upkeep. Find a place to show it off, a spot that has ample indirect sunlight and make sure to dampen the soil every two weeks or when it appears to need moistened.
