37+ Best Flower Pot Painting Ideas
If you’re looking to take your container garden from drab to fab, try one of these 37 amazing flower pot painting projects!
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Flower Pot Painting Ideas
Every year, I look forward to the spring planting season. Seeing flowers bloom again always seems to boost my mood. To prepare for the season, I always like to dress up my patio with decorative pots.
Below, I’ve collected the best flower pot painting tutorials from my blogger friends so you can find inspiration to spruce up your planters!
I can’t wait to try some of these techniques!
1. How to Paint a Terracotta Flower Pot Like a Pro
Why paint one flower pot when you can paint several? Get my tutorial on how to paint terracotta pots for lots of tips to get you started. It’s a great way to beautify your container garden.
You can also see my related post on how to decoupage flower pots for a similar “painted” look using napkins!
Be sure to use this clay pot sealer as you get started on your painting projects. It helps prevent moisture from seeping through and leaving an ugly residue on your painted pots.
2. Easy Painted Flower Pots with Stencils
Try making boho-chic painted flower pots using stencils. For this easy craft, you can use a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, or you can buy a premade stencil.
Customize your flower pot painting for any season and fill them with succulents to complete the boho look!
3. Rae Dunn Inspired Flower Pot Planters
Add a touch of humor to your flower pots with this easy Cricut craft with a free SVG file. (I love getting a brand-name look for less!) Head over to Single Girl’s DIY for the full tutorial on these DIY Rae Dunn painted pots.
4. Boho Modern DIY Painted Terra Cotta Pots
Give an old planter new life by turning it into a statement deco piece inspired by the Japanese art of sashiko. These boho modern painted planters from Shrimp Salad Circus are so trendy!
5. Painting Terracotta Pots… Aged Weathered Look
You wouldn’t believe what this aged terracotta planter looked like before it got a makeover! Do Dodson Designs shares expert tips on painting to achieve a rustic effect.
6. How to Age Terra Cotta Pots with Paint
Sometimes achieving a “painted” look doesn’t require traditional paint at all. My 100 Year Old Home has two very unique techniques for creating these aged terracotta pots. (My mind is blown!)
7. Concrete Painted Pots with French Vintage Look
These “concrete” painted pots are perfect for an indoor herb garden. Satori Design for Living shares her secrets for creating this French Country style look.
8. DIY Faux Concrete Planter
If you’re starting with a ceramic piece instead of terracotta, you can still create your own DIY faux concrete planter. This tutorial from A Blue Nest uses only two shades of paint to completely transform a $5 thrift store item.
9. French Made Pots with Decals
Using a unique flower pot painting technique and waterslide decals, Dreams Factory created this beautiful French-inspired flower pot. The French decals add a lovely touch and make this craft look so professional.
10. How To Make a Copper Planter from a Clay Pot
For a sophisticated modern look, try making these copper-colored clay pots from The How-To Home. The trick is getting the perfect metallic paint.
11. Metallic Geometric Painted Pots
Sometimes simple is best when it comes to painting flower pots, especially if you want a more modern aesthetic. These metallic painted flower pots by Home Edit look sleek and trendy yet simple enough to let the plants keep the spotlight.
12. Galaxy Flower Pot Painting Technique
For a completely different metallic look, try making this DIY galaxy flower pot from Artsy Fartsy Mama. Head over to her post to see how she achieved this iridescent sparkle. Wouldn’t this be perfect for a space party theme?
13. How to Age Terracotta Pots with Paint
These mossy green, aged terracotta pots would make the perfect container for a topiary in the springtime. 2 Bees in a Pod has a step-by-step tutorial to guide you.
14. DIY Painted Terracotta Pots with a Shabby Chic Feel
It’s amazing the effects you can get by using painting with objects of different textures. Take, for instance, these DIY shabby chic painted flower pots by Salvaged Living. She adds burlap fabric and wood stain for a unique color and texture combo.
15. Spring Colors on Painted Pots
Sometimes a simple solid color is all you need to bring clay pots to life. These spring-colored painted pots by Songbird have a beautiful matte finish and add such charm to the room.
16. Dry Brush Painted Flower Pots
For a more subtle effect, you can also opt to use very little paint with a technique called “dry brushing.” These dry-brush painted pots from My Family Thyme have just enough color to create visual interest.
17. Fingerprint Flower Pot Craft with Ladybugs
Create a great gift for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or Grandparents’ Day with this adorable ladybug fingerprint flower pot. My sons had a blast adding their personal “touch” to this craft, and I’ll treasure it forever.
18. Flower Pot Painting with Bee Design
If you’re looking for a fun way to “buzz” into spring, try these painted bee pots by my friend Kippi at Home! The fine details on this hand-painted clay pot are just the cutest!
19. DIY Painted Planters with Stenciled Flowers
These stenciled planters are so easy to make and add such a lovely accent to a patio or porch. Get the tutorial and details on the stencil from my friends at Sustain My Craft Habit.
20. “Hello There” Stenciled Flower Pots
Another sweet idea is this “hello there” stenciled flower pot by Little Red Window. These pots are easy to make and look charming with this whimsical font. Isn’t the color so calming too?
21. Sharpie Dots Flower Pots
Cutsie Crafts shows us another cool way to stencil a flower pot with this sharpie dot flower pot tutorial. This would be a great way to decorate a teen’s room or personalize a party favor.
22. DIY Chalkboard Painted Pots
If you want the option of changing your flower pot labels with the seasons, try making these unique chalkboard-painted herb pots by Sweet Pea. What a smart idea!
23. How to Make DIY Pots for Herbs
For another approach to stenciling, try this DIY herb pot tutorial from The Honeycomb Home. Roxanne uses a Cricut to create her stenciled labels before painting, and isn’t the string a cute touch?
24. Painted Herb Pots
For a slightly different spin on the chalkboard trend, check out these painted herb pots with chalkboard labels from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. How pretty they would look on a window sill!
25. DIY Anthropologie-Inspired Painted Planters
Another fun twist on painting pots is using paint markers. These Anthropologie-inspired DIY pots by Casa Watkins Living would add a pop of color and playfulness to any outdoor space.
26. Drip Painted Pots Tutorial
Paint pouring is all the rage these days, so why not try it on clay pots too? Crafts by Amanda chose fun neon colors to make her drip-painted pots especially playful.
27. DIY Soda Bottle Kitty Cat Planters
Who says you need terracotta pots for painting? These adorable kitty cat planters from Salty Canary have a whimsical touch and look great with her boho/vintage style decor. Head over to her tutorial to see what I mean!
28. Flower Pots with Fingerprint Painting
How about getting the kids involved? These finger-painted flower pots from Crafts by Amanda make the perfect keepsake gift idea for spring! Plant seeds or flowers in your pots to give for Mother’s Day or for a birthday.
29. Ice Cream Cone Flower Pots
How fun are these ice cream painted pots?! Fresh Mommy Blog shows you how to use a combination of painting techniques to get all the fine details on these adorable planters.
30. Upcycled Flower Pot Girl
Have you tried making flower pot people yet? This adorable polka dot flower pot girl by DIY n Crafts is a great way to upcycle old pots and add a playful accent to your home decor.
31. Polka Dot Painted Terra Cotta Pots
For a more farmhouse look, try making these polka dot painted flower pots by Wilshire Collections. The burlap tape around the rim adds the perfect amount of texture and contrast to the painted pot.
32. Ombre Drip Flower Pots
This ombre drip flower pot painting technique by Mad in Crafts gives you more dimension with a gorgeous texture. Don’t you love how it looks like the paint is still oozing down the side?
33. Dip Dye Succulent Pot
If you love a good ombre effect, these dip dye succulent pots are for you. I Spy DIY has the full tutorial for you as well as a kit you can purchase to make these at home.
34. Hand-Drawn Clay Pots
It only takes 15 minutes and a pen to make these adorable hand-drawn clay pots by 100 Directions. If you’re a person who likes to doodle, this is a great way to put those doodles to work and enjoy your plant life at the same time.
35. Hand Painted Decorative Flower Pots
These beautiful hand-painted flower pots prove that you don’t need lots of paint on terra cotta pots to end up with a stunning design. Heather Cash Art has four other hand-painted designs to check out.
36. Gold Foil Flower Pots
Nothing jazzes up a flower pot like a splash of gold! These gold foil flower pots make such a statement. Making Joy and Pretty Things has a full tutorial on this amazing technique.
37. Terrazo Faux Painted Pots
One way to avoid flower pot painting altogether is to create a faux effect using other materials, like this DIY terrazo planter by A Kailo Chic Life. The brilliant colors are perfect for those looking for vibrant home decor accents, and the technique is genius!
Best Types of Paint for Flower Pots
When planning to paint terracotta pots, it’s important to choose suitable indoor/outdoor paint.
Why Choose Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint is a great, affordable option for general crafting, and painting flower pots is no exception. However, you need to make sure the label says it is weather-resistant or made for outdoor use.
I love this multi-purpose acrylic paint that works for both indoor or outdoor projects.
While weather-resistant paints add a layer of protection, that doesn’t mean you should expose them directly to rain and sun. Your pots will last longer under a covered porch or patio unless the paint indicates otherwise.
For a small pot, even a 2-ounce bottle of acrylic paint will do the job. You may also have some leftover paint for other craft projects.
Choosing the Finish
Take note of the finish on your bottle of paint, whether it’s acrylic paint or spray paint.
Paints often come in glossy, satin, or matte finish. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference.
You can also use a sealer like this one to add a shiny finish or this one to add a matte finish once you’ve finished painting your clay pots.
Shop Flower Pot Painting Supplies
Here are some of my favorite picks for painting flower pots.
FAQs on Flower Pot Painting
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Should I seal clay flower pots before painting?
Using a clay pot sealer on the inside of terra cotta clay pots can help prevent stains from forming after the pots are painted.
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How do I get a matte finish for a painted pot?
Some paints, like chalk paint, will have a matte (non-shiny) finish, while metallic paints will have a high-gloss sheen.
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Can you spray paint terracotta pots?
You’ll notice there are a variety of techniques used above. Spray paint is a good option for full coverage and a smooth finish, while acrylic paint applied with a paintbrush will add more texture.
Just keep in mind whether you’ll get more use out of a bottle of spray paint or a bottle of craft acrylic paint for future projects. -
How can I add fine detail to my flower pot painting?
These days, paint pens offer even more possibilities to add fine detail like lettering or thin lines.
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How long does it take to paint flower pots?
The length of time required to paint flower pots depends on the coverage of your paint. Chalk paints with a thick, matte finish may need only 1-2 coats. Acrylic paints tend to need at least three coats for full coverage.
Plan to let each coat of paint dry for at least 1 hour in between coats of paint.
I hope you’ll enjoy trying some of the tutorials above to beautify your homes and enjoy your garden!
If you’re looking for other ways to dress up your container garden, try the fun crafts below!
More Flower Pot Crafts
Cute ideas! Pinned!
Thanks so much, Lauren! I appreciate you stopping by and pinning too, my friend!
Thank you so much for including my chalkboard painted pots in your round-up. I really enjoyed browsing through these ideas.
Thanks so much for contributing your post, Paula! I really enjoyed seeing the variety in this roundup. So many great ideas to try.