Want the look of a European garden, but have a craft store budget? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! You can make your own version for a fraction of the cost by learning how to age terracotta pots!
Whether inside or outside of your home, adding an item with patina is a way to add character for a lived in look. With one simple product from the hardware store (and no it’s not paint!), you’ll be able to make any clay pot feel like it’s been in the garden a lifetime.
Here’s how I did it:
What You’ll Need
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Gloves are a non-negotiable for this project! Garden lime can sting your skin, so protect yourself. It also helps to have a drop cloth to protect your work surface.
I found my terracotta pots at Michaels, but you could even source them cheaper by looking at thrift stores or on Facebook Marketplace. Don’t forget about garage sales!
How to Mix Lime Wash Solution
To create a lime wash solution, you’ll want to mix together equal part garden lime and water.
The mixture will be runny at first, but stir and stir. It will take a few minutes for the garden lime to break down in the water. It most likely won’t all breakdown into a liquid, but the more time you allow it to mix in, the more aged your pots will look.
You can use any cup for mixing, but I found the paint measuring cups from the hardware store helpful because they have the ratios right on the side. They come with lids so you can store it between coats too.
How to Age Terracotta Pots with Garden Lime
- Create lime wash solution by mixing 1:1 ratio of Garden Lime with water.
- Brush on a thin later of lime wash, trying to avoid any drip marks. It helps to move your brush in several different directions to avoid the lines looking intentional.
- Let pot dry for 1-2 hours and go back in to apply a second coat. The more coats you apply, the more aged it will look in the end.
- Let dry 24-48 hours before sealing.
Here’s a look at one of the clay pots after one coat of the lime wash. As you can see, the first coat is a bit thin and the original terracotta color comes through a bit.
Additional Tips
The solution will be runny, just keep brushing over drip marks before they dry. The more coats of the lime wash you apply, the less obvious your brushstrokes will be will be. Keep layering up!
Applying this mixture isn’t like painting a pot. Different brushstrokes (up, down, left right,) will give a more organic feel overall.
Sealing will change the look of your pots and make more of the original terracotta color visible. Apply more of the lime wash than you think you might need.
Clean any surfaces that come in contact with the lime wash. I got a little on my skin and it stung a bit.
How to Seal Aged Pots
The garden lime isn’t naturally permanent like a spray paint would be. Sealing will ensure that your pots can be outside.
Before you seal your pots, the lime wash could rub off. This is your opportunity to sand down any areas you may not like. It’s also a good reminder to wear gloves throughout the entire process when handling your pots.
Hold can ~12″ away and spray, moving the can back and forth to avoid any concentrated areas.
Let dry for another 24 hours before planting anything in your pots.
And that’s how you age terracotta pots. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. If you give this project a try, snap a photo of it in your garden! I can’t wait to see what you’re growing this year!
Be sure to check out the project index for more Garden Projects!