easy DIY painted terra cotta pots

This project arose as I contemplated what on earth to give as year-end gifts to my children’s ten teachers. Yes, that’s right, between my three boys, they have 10 teachers, so I needed something cost-effective, yet unique and thoughtful. Thankfully, the fates aligned and at the same time I was pondering teacher gifts, Fusion Mineral Paint introduced a new paint collection created with Lisa Marie Holmes. If you’re a DIY-television junkie like me, you’ll likely be familiar with her from HGTV’s Holmes & Holmes (she is the wife of Mike Holmes Jr. and a Registered Herbalist and Holistic Health Coach). This post shares my easy DIY painted terra cotta pots as well as a couple of cute ways of wrapping them up for giving.

I instantly fell in love with the five colours that were inspired by healing herbs. And what better way to use botanically inspired paint colours than on plant pots? I prepared these as teacher gifts, but they would make a lovely hostess gift for a summer party, don’t you think?

To read why I love Fusion mineral paint and for a comparison with other popular furniture paint types, click here. Here’s a peek at the full Lisa Marie Homes Collection. Isn’t it divine? I need to dream up some more projects so I can try out each gorgeous shade.

Materials

• Terra cotta pots (5” diameter) and saucers
• Fusion mineral paint (I used Sacred Sage, Goddess Ashwagandha, and Divine Lavender)
• Paintbrush (about 1/2” inch wide)
• Succulent plants in 5” pots
• Optional- gift wrapping materials (baskets or tins, crinkle paper, tags, and twine)

Directions for my easy DIY painted terra cotta pots

• Apply the first coat of paint starting just under the terra cotta rim and working fairly quickly round and round the pot to the bottom. You can tape the edge if you don’t have a steady hand. Don’t forget to paint the bottom of the pot.
• Allow to dry about 20 minutes until no longer damp or overly cool to the touch.
• Apply the second coat of paint and allow to dry at least 30 minutes before packaging.
• Pop in the succulent plant.

The photos above all show the Sacred Sage colour. I also did some pots in the Goddess Ashwagandha (a greyed white) and Divine Lavender colours (see below).

I love how simple and sweet these little pots are. Dressed up with some pretty packaging, they are the perfect little gift.

Gift wrapping ideas

I found these adorable berry baskets that fit the pots perfectly. When the pot is removed the basket can be used by the recipient for another purpose like berry picking or storage of garden tools and gloves.

I also found these vintage-style tins that fit perfectly with the garden theme. The tin can be re-used as a storage container for garden seeds and bulbs.

I wrapped each basket or tin in a plastic bag to offer protection, as my boys had to deliver them to their teachers themselves, and we know how boys can be with fragile items! Finally, I placed a hand-written card inside and tied them with twine, adding some adorable tags I printed off for free from Anders Ruff Design Co. They were just the perfect touch.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my post, easy DIY painted terra cotta pots. This summer I’m sharing several DIY projects that are beginner level projects because I want to encourage everyone to do something crafty. These are projects that can be completed in about an hour and are inexpensive.