Painting flower pots is such a fun way to add personality to your garden, patio, porch or windowsill without breaking the bank on new pots and planters. Whether you have thrifted beat up pots from the shed, boring white clay pots from the craft store, or a few cheap terracotta pots that could use a touch of flair, painting is an easy way to transform them with minimal effort.
Painting pots can be as detailed or as easy as you want it to be. You can go crazy with acrylic paints and paint flowers, fruit, funny faces, abstract designs and fun colours, or keep things minimal with chalk paint, white outlines and neutral colours. Not only is it a great summer craft for adults, painted plant pots also make the perfect diy gift idea.
One tip before we get into some ideas… if you’re planning to keep your painted pots outside take a few minutes to prepare them properly. Terracotta is very porous which means water soaks into the pot. Make sure you use a good base coat and sealant to ensure your DIY flower pots last.
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Pick the Right Paint for Flower Pots
Outdoor acrylic paint is my go-to for most terracotta pots because it’s easy to find at any craft store, comes in almost every color, and works well for intricate designs. You can also use chalk paint if you want more of a matte finish, or spray paint if you want to easily cover the entire pot for a smooth base coat.
If you’re painting details you’ll also want to keep Posca pens, Sharpie pens or thin paint brushes on hand. They’re great for clean lines, lettering, polka dots and tiny flowers. Just triple check that the paint you’re using is appropriate for your surface, as well as indoors vs outdoor plans. Your indoor plant pots don’t need to be super weatherproof, but if you’re painting plant pots for outdoor use you’ll need a water-resistant seal.
Use a Sealant for Outdoor Flower Pots
Once the pots are painted you can make them more weatherproof by using a clear outdoor sealant. Make sure you clean the pot and let it dry completely before you add a base coat or paint your design. Once you’ve painted your pots let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before sealing.
A spray sealant is my favourite way to seal pots because it’s quick and gives you a uniform shiny finish. If you prefer using a brush or want more control over where the sealant goes, a small paintbrush works just as well. I recommend sealing both the inside and outside of the pot since water can seep through terracotta and lift your paint over time.
And that’s it! Let your newly painted and sealed pot dry completely, add some soil and your favourite plants. Mini herbs, flowers, succulents, indoor plants or pollinator-friendly plants are all great choices.
You’ve just added your very own personal touch to your garden!
1. Paint White Designs on Terracotta Pots
Terracotta pots already have so much natural warmth and texture, which is why these simple white shapes look so gorgeous on top. Grab a white paint pen or Posca pen, or use a small paint brush to add triangles, zigzags and dotted lines.
2. Paint a Bright Turquoise Cactus Pot
For all of my friends out there that love bright colors and pretty flower pot painting ideas, this turquoise planter is for you! Once you paint your base color, use acrylic paint or paint pens to paint on small cacti, flowers, suns and dots.
3. Paint Modern Abstract Shapes
Are you looking for a painted plant pot idea that feels more modern, but not perfect? Painting curved abstract shapes will take your pot to the next level and make it feel like artwork, even if you’re no Picasso. This combo of mustard, rust, cream and teal works especially well with green houseplants.
4. Paint Cheerful Daisies on Clay Pots
Sometimes a few hand-painted flowers is all you need to take old plant pots from drab to darling. Pink daisies, green leaves and yellow centers are so sweet on natural clay pots… they’d also make a great Mother’s Day craft or handmade gift!
5. Paint Happy Faces on Succulent Pots
Painted succulent pots are my favorite, and these pastel pots with happy faces are so much fun for kids AND adults. Paint the whole pot in a light base color, then add smiling faces, blush cheeks and dots towards the bottom of the pot.
6. DIY a Watermelon Plant Pot
I cannot contain my excitement over how cute this watermelon pot is. Start by painting your entire pot pink, then paint little black seed shapes. Paint the rim of the pot green to look like the watermelon rind, then use painter’s tape or masking tape to keep your lines crisp.
7. DIY a Soft Painted Flower Pot for Outdoor Plants
Painting simple daisies is an easy flower pot idea to try for outdoor pots. Keeping the terracotta peeking through adds interest and lets you avoid using a white paintbrush without dipping the entire pot in color. Once you’re done, spray with a water resistant finish to lock the paint in place.
8. DIY a Whimsical Food-Themed Painted Pot
Who wouldn’t want their flowers growing out of a pot full of baked beans?! Turning ordinary pots into playful food-themed planters is easy and so fun. Try it with cheeseburgers, carrots and ranch or avocado toast and strawberries… honestly, there are so many options to try.
9. Paint White Daisies on Terracotta Pots
Painting daisies is one of the easiest ways to dress up a plain terra cotta pot. All you need is a few colors and remember… it doesn’t have to be perfect! Lopsided petals actually give your flowers more charm.
10. Add Simple White Polka Dots to Plant Pots
Painting polka dots is my go-to lazy Sunday afternoon craft. All you need is the end of a paint brush, a sponge dabber or round brush and white paint. Dip in white paint and dot around the pot however you’d like… I love leaving a bit of terracotta showing for a farmhouse-y feel.
11. Paint Lemon, Strawberry & Orange Plant Pots
Painting fruits on plant pots is such a fresh idea, especially if you want fun, happy colors for your kitchen window sill or sunny bookshelf. You can keep the designs basic so it doesn’t feel too busy… lemons, strawberries and oranges are perfectly cute on a pale blue or mint green base coat.
12. Paint Loose, Brushy Tomatoes on a Clay Pot
Looking for flower pot painting ideas with a more handmade, artistic feel? Don’t sweat perfection with this loose tomato pot. Grab a few supplies in red, green, cream and yellow acrylic paint and build your color up in soft brushstrokes.
13. DIY Simple White Flowers on a Smooth Flower Pot
Want an easy way to make your plant pots feel fancier? Grab a terra cotta pot with a smooth surface and paint adorable white daisies. Add simple details like soft white petals and green stems like this one for an easy-going flower pot everyone will love.
14. Paint Easy Thank You Plant Pots
These would be so cute for teachers, grandparents, neighbors, or for Mother’s Day. Grab some bright paint colors, keep your designs easy (think sunshine, clouds, flowers and hearts) and add a little wood plant marker with a handwritten note tucked inside for some extra personality.
15. Paint Cream & White Strawberries
Plant pots inspired by fruits and gardens are so sweet for outdoor pots. Strawberries look darling painted on terracotta. Add greens caps and little white seed dots with a paint pen or thin brush.
16. Add Friendly Yellow & Black Bees
Painting bees is a fun idea to welcome your leafy indoor plants home. Grab a cream paint can and paint the entire pot. Use yellow, black and white paint pens to paint little bees around the rim of your pot.
17. Paint an Easy Rainbow Pot for Succulents
Rainbow plant pots are such an easy way to bring in color without having to paint your entire pot with intricate designs. Grab a mint green pot as your base coat, then paint one bold rainbow on the front of your pot. Finish it off with soft white clouds.
18. Create Boho-Style Plant Pots
Turn mismatched thrift store pots into a collected set by tying them together with similar paint color patterns. Use repeated shapes like dots, triangles, leaf stems, suns and half moons to give every pot its own personality while still looking like they go together.
19. Paint Bright Strawberries and Leaves
If you’re feeling adventurous, try layering your painted details on your plant pots. Start with green leaves and vines first, then paint bright red strawberries on top. Finish by dotting small white flowers to make your design pop.
20. DIY Sun, Eye & Leaf Plant Pots
These boho inspired pots would look lovely grouped together in your home. I love mixing warm terracotta pots with blues, creams and mustard shades. Try adding eye shapes, leaves, flowers and even funky geometric shapes to each pot.
21. Paint Quote Flower Pots for Succulents
Want to give your plant pots that extra special touch? Paint simple shapes like fox faces, rainbows and you can even add a tiny charm to the pot. Then grab a paint pen or sharpie paint pen and write fun quotes like ‘Stay Wild’ or ‘Dream Big’.
22. Paint an Easy Folk Art Inspired Pot
I love how this pot has simple flowers painted around the base with little triangle and dot details. Grab three to four muted paint colors you love and play around with adding small floral shapes around your pot… isn’t this just the perfect spring craft for adults?
23. DIY Painted Modern Plant Pots
Black and white plant pots are gorgeous, but you don’t need to cover your entire pot if that feels intimidating. Painting white leaves, black and white geometric shapes, stripes or even simple abstract shapes can look incredible layered on top of your natural terra cotta pot.
24. DIY a Magical Garden Pot
If you’ve got some extra time on your hands and want to make an extra magical flower pot, try something like this. Layer on drippy blue paint, add stars and moon shapes in white. Don’t forget mushrooms, vines and even a tiny fairy door!
25. Paint Easy Swirly Retro Plant Pots
Want your plant pot to feel bright, relaxed and playful? Grab an old pot and start with a cream base coat. Add bright-colored swirling shapes in rustic colors like rust, mustard, sage and brown. Use white dots and curved lines to pull your colors together.
26. Turn Your Pots into Ice Cream Planter Pots
Want to take your plant pots to summer level crafting? Grab some mini pots and turn them into adorable ice cream planters. Paint the bottom half of the pot like a waffle cone, then add scoops of colorful ice cream (complete with sprinkles!) around the rim of your pot.
27. DIY Magical Forest Pot for Indoor Plants
If you’re looking for flower pot painting ideas that are easy breezy, keep reading. But if you’ve got some time on your hands and want to craft something totally amazing, try painting your pot like a magical garden with neon paints. Deep blues, glowing purples, twisted vines, mushrooms and even a teeny tiny door are perfect for indoor plants.
28. Paint Bright & Blooming Garden Flowers
This flower pot craft is guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day. Blue daisies, cheerful yellow suns, warm orange blooms and fun green leaves look adorable on terracotta pots. Since the shapes are bigger, you can even get your kiddos involved and let their inner artist shine!
29. DIY an Under the Sea Plant Pot
Summertime reminds me of oceans, sandy beaches and slurping down cold watermelon. There’s no better way to spruce up an old clay pot than turning it into an under the sea inspired masterpiece. Paint the base of your pot turquoise, add shell details and paint cute little seaweed, coral and ocean bubble details.
30. Paint a Moon Phase Pot for Indoor Plants
Inspired by the night sky? Try painting your plant pots like this gorgeous moon phase pot. Start by painting you pot in a dark navy color and paint little moon details in metallic gold, silvery and pure white. Mushrooms and fun firefly details are perfect for adding extra flair.
31. Paint Tomatoes for Your Tomato Planter Pots
One of my favorite things to grow on my patio are tomatoes and herbs. Use this idea to make your garden feel extra cheerful… paint your main pot red, add a white rim with green polka dots, then get creative with your little label!
32. Paint Soft Pink Flowers on Terracotta Pots
Pink flowers are another beautiful way to liven up your plain terra cotta pots. Leave the bottom of the pot natural to really make your soft pink blooms stand out. No need to paint the entire pot if that doesn’t float your boat.
33. Paint Whimsical Flower Pots with Waves & Dots
Grab a few bright paint colors and paint on easy waves, sunshine, colorful flowers and polka dots. Painting pots is so forgiving and feels awesome even when we’re not striving for perfection.
34. Paint Happy Summer Nights Plant Pots
Dark blue pots are perfect for painting moon and star shapes. Once you paint your basic moon or star shape with a paintbrush, use a paint pen or Posca pen to add little stars.
35. Paint Whimsical Rustic Sun & Sea Pots
Terracotta pots painted with bright suns, flowing waves and even a striped paint dipped rim give off serious Mediterranean, coastal vibes. I like to leave my pots to weather naturally outdoors before painting… Pair with herbs, olive trees and plants with silvery green foliage.
36. Paint Black Botanical Details on Aged Terracotta
I love when pots start to age and look worn after years outdoors but you can get a similar effect with a creamy white wash of paint. Use black paint to brighten up old pots without making them feel too busy. Leaf shapes, moon and sun shapes or even a triangle border along the top are easy details to add to your pot.
Before You Go...
Painting flower pots is one of my favourite ways to make terracotta pots, upcycled pots or plain plant pots feel totally YOU. And you don’t need to be an artist or have tons of supplies…you just need some acrylic paint, a brush, a great sealant and an idea you love.
You can paint daisies, silly faces, nature inspired jars, bold abstract designs or like me, a magical moon-and-mushroom pot. But really the best painted flower pots are ones that make YOU happy when you see them hanging around. Pick one idea to start, keep it simple your first time around, and then let’s get started!