How to Make a Plastic Pot Look Like a Terra Cotta Pot

With the pandemic there has been few and far between sales, with due cause.  So when Cause for Paws had a plant fundraiser, you can bet we were there with bells on! Being very familiar with these ladies and volunteering at the local shelter we knew there would be social protocols in place and adhered to.  And there were - masks, social distancing and only so many allowed at the tables at a time.

Needless to say I came home with my far share of succulents and others, even this tiny faux orchid that called out to me each time I passed by. I was there for real plants not faux ones!  But she wore me down, besides it was for a good cause, and at 25 cents I couldn't just leave her there. ♥

And I had an idea I wanted to play around with to which she would be perfect.

The flowers were still bright and full of color. The top moss? covering had seen better days and the orchid was in a thin plastic pot.

Time to play! 
Goal - Make it look like an aged terra cotta pot

I first added Joint Compound to the pot, hoping it would resemble the mineral build up clay pots get as they age..
Since I'd never done this before, I started out slow ~ 

Then went for it!

Once it was completely dry. I sanded some of the 

lumpier spots down until I was happy with the way it looked.

Once done sanding I wiped it down with a damp rag to remove any dust.

On the way, but not quite

Next I dabbed on browns and greens
Browns to resemble dirt
Greens to resemble moss

Wasn't happy - too dark

Lightened it up with a bit of Antique White

I added some fresh Reindeer Moss to the
 top and down the sides

In the end I wanted it to coordinate with
these two larger pots

Pretty pleased with the way it turned out.
Since I had everything on hand from other projects, 
total cost 25 cents!

More Trash to Treasure projects here