How to Whitewash Terra Cotta Pots

Have you ever wondered how to achieve the perfect whitewashed or aged finish on your terra cotta pots? The kind of old-world charm that looks decades old? In this post, How to Whitewash Terra Cotta Pots, I share my secrets to create this whitewashed finish in just a few minutes using inexpensive dollar store pots. This easy and affordable DIY will make the perfect addition to your Easter table decor or to your front porch this spring. You can easily scale up this project and whitewash larger pots typically used for patios and porches.

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The Secrets to Achieving the Perfect Finish

Secret #1- This is the most important secret of all. Don’t use white paint for this project! White paint creates a cold, stark, not-so-subtle look that looks anything but old world. The secret to achieving a subtly aged look is to use paint with colour tones in it. This could be beige, green, or grey depending on the exact look you want to achieve. I used Fusion Mineral Paint Chateau, which is a pretty light beige colour.

Secret #2- Wet the pot before applying the paint. Terra cotta is very dry and will instantly suck up whatever you apply to it. Saturating it with water first will give you more room to play as you paint.

Secret #3- Dilute the paint more than you think you need to. I use a ratio of 1:4 or even 1:5. This gives you more control over how the paint goes on. You can easily add additional layers for more coverage.

Secret #4- The texture you get is controlled by the above factors AND the type of brush you use. I used a Staalmeester #20 Round Sash Brush since I wanted subtle horizontal brush strokes. For more obvious brush strokes, use a chip brush. For no brush strokes, use a smooth sponge. If you want a more mottled look, use a natural sponge and dab the paint on.

Secret #5- After dipping the brush into the paint, always remove the extra paint by wiping the brush onto the edge of the paint jar and then onto a sponge, cotton cloth, or paper towels.

Supplies for the Whitewashed Terra Cotta Pots

• Terra cotta pots- any size or style
• Fusion Mineral Paint- chateau (tester size)
• Mason jar for mixing paint, paint stir stick
• Sponge or cloth
• Staalmeester #20 Round Sash Brush or brush/sponge for the desired look
• Plants (I used Pilea Aquamarine)

How to Whitewash Terra Cotta Pots

Using Fusion Mineral Paint Chateau, mix one part paint with 4 parts water in a mason jar. I used 1 tbsp paint to 1/4 cup water. Stir with a paint stick.

Thoroughly wet the pot using a sponge or cloth.

Dip your brush into the paint, then press the brush against the side of the jar to remove some of the paint. Then wipe off the excess paint onto a cloth or sponge.

Paint with very little pressure in a horizontal direction around the pot. Ensure that you don’t handle painted areas with your fingers until the paint is dry (5 minutes or so).

Paint the outside first, and then paint the top inch or two of the inside of the pot as this part of the pot won’t be covered with soil and will be visible, so you’ll want the finish to match. You may also choose to paint the entire inside if you don’t plan to fill the pot with soil.

I used one coat, but feel free to use additional coats if you want a thicker, more opaque look.

Styling the Terra Cotta Pots

Terra cotta pots have many uses, but I chose to use them in my Easter tablescape this year. I filled them with pretty little greenery plants (Pilea Aquamarine) and set them on my table. You can read the full post about this tablescape here.

Summary

I hope you have enjoyed my post on how to whitewash terra cotta pots. It only takes a few minutes to create this age-old look. I’d love to hear how this tutorial worked for you! Please share your experience in the comments below.