Our Hopeful Home: How To Age Terra Cotta Pots In 5 Minutes Or Less

August 8, 2016

I've always loved the look of age-old, time-worn terra cotta pots. But for them to achieve that look naturally, you need to keep them outside for a very long time and let nature take its course. Patience is not my strong suit, so I looked for a quick way to do it myself.

The first things that come up in Google all have to do with combining water with lime, applying the paste, sanding the pots and then applying sealer. That seemed like a bit too much work to me. So one day this summer I asked my 12 year old son to help me and this what we came up with.

All you need for this project is a terra cotta (clay) pot, a sponge brush and gesso.

One terra cotta (clay) pot.

Here's my jar of gesso and sponge brush.

It's the same jar I used for my DIY Succulent Ombre Clay Pot.

You can easily pick both up at your local craft store.

I had just the right number of pots to fit snugly in my vintage wrought iron plant stand.

Just look at that patina! I think my faux vintage pots really fit right in.

I do feel that I need to include a disclaimer at this point. They haven't been tested as to whether or not the gesso is waterproof. You can always use them for indoor plants, but I have a feeling mine will just get better looking with age, waterproof or not.

marigolds in faux weathered aged terra cotta clay pot

I picked up the poor geraniums and marigolds on clearance at the local big box home improvement store. It was clear they were trying to get rid of their almost-dead plants, and who was I to say no? I felt sorry for them. While not the most prolific plants, I have managed to keep them alive. Which for me is huge in and of itself. So it's a win no matter how you look at it, and I'm quite happy with my pots.