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DIY Plastic Flower Pot Makeover

May 20, 2020

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Are your plastic flowerpots looking a little tired this year?  Give them a quick and easy makeover with two cans of spray paint and a little bit of creativity.  I’ll show you how you can transform your pots from blah to wow with this easy DIY.

Are your terra cotta or plastic pots looking tired?  Give them an easy and creative makeover with a little bit of spray paint.  Your flower pots (and plants!) will look amazing with this simple DIY idea. #diy #gardendiy #plasticpots #flowerpots #upcyle #containergardening #backyard

Start by cleaning your plastic pot and letting it dry.  Turn it over and spray paint it the colour you want most of the pot to be.  Use a heavy hand with the spray paint, because you want to take advantage of the dripping.

After you’ve covered as much as you can, spray paint the top (aka of the bottom of the pot because you’re working upside down) with the second colour.  Spray paint the colour much closer than you normally would.  Gravity needs to do that work for you.

Are your terra cotta or plastic pots looking tired?  Give them an easy and creative makeover with a little bit of spray paint.  Your flower pots (and plants!) will look amazing with this simple DIY idea. #diy #gardendiy #plasticpots #flowerpots #upcyle #containergardening #backyard

Related: Blue and White Patio Makeover Inspiration

Next spray a bit of the second colour in the middle of the pot, from farther away than the can recommends, so you get a bit of definition to your drips, and it makes a nicer ombre effect.

Let the pot dry overnight, or at least 2 hours.

Are your terra cotta or plastic pots looking tired?  Give them an easy and creative makeover with a little bit of spray paint.  Your flower pots (and plants!) will look amazing with this simple DIY idea. #diy #gardendiy #plasticpots #flowerpots #upcyle #containergardening #backyard

Flip the pot right side up and spray paint with your first colour.  I used a bright blue and navy, and I’m very happy with the results.

Once the pot is totally dry, fill with soil and your favourite flowers or vegetables!

P.S. Planning on putting vegetables in those pots?  Here are my favourites for beginners.

How Long will the Paint Job Look Good?

So far, my made over plastic flower pots have endured three summers on a blistering hot, south-facing deck. They have not been taken indoors over the winter and have basically been left to fend for themselves. Most of the pots I spray-painted have held up very well, only needing some light touch ups after 2 years. The only exception is one larger and older pot that came with the house, which the paint seems to scratch off very easily. I’m assuming it must be made of a different plastic.

How do you Touch Up Tired Looking Containers?

To touch up your container, follow these steps:

  1. Remove all soil from the container.
  2. Wash the container inside and out, removing all dirt, and let dry.
  3. If the tops of the container are the only part that need touching up, just lightly spray paint that area.
  4. If the whole container needs touching up, repeat the process you initially used to spray paint the container, giving a slightly thicker spray to the areas that need it.

Repeat the process every 2-3 years and enjoy your containers for many years to come.

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Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

11 Comments
Filed Under: DIY, Gardening, Projects, Saving Money Tagged: container gardening, containers, DIY, flower pots, Makeover, outdoor living

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Kaitte says

    December 16, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    What brand of paint did you use? cause I used the 99c ones and they peeled off with rain..i want to do those Styrofoam feeling ones too..
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      December 18, 2019 at 5:50 am

      I use Rustoleum, and it's held up fairly well after two summers. There is a little bit of flaking, mainly on the rim of the pot, but it's such a small amount that I'm willing to do touch ups on it and call it a success.
      Reply
    • Stacey Scheibelhut says

      January 17, 2020 at 8:40 am

      Try lightly scoffing the plastic with a piece of sand paper. This can help the paint adhere to the plastic better.
      Reply
  2. Debra says

    May 6, 2020 at 10:19 am

    I was looking for ways to reuse some plastic flower pots and other plastic items my neighbor put beside her trash can. WOOHOO! Covid 19 has sapped all my money for extra things. I had some leftover spray paint from my metal bistro set on the deck (Actually I wish I could grab the pots pictured here, as they are the right color) and I am going to use this technique to rehab the pots, etc. I have already ordered seeds to plant, mostly edibles. I am making my "Victory" garden on my deck, so the deer won't eat my goods. Plus I have flower seeds. I usually spend a bunch on plants, but trying to do it cheap this year. GOOD LUCK to everyone and STAY SAFE. THANKS, Kristen!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      May 8, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      You're so welcome, I'd love to see pictures of your newly decorated pots when you're finished. My IG is @shifting_roots and FB is Shifting Roots
      Reply
      • Jackie says

        May 15, 2020 at 6:51 am

        Hello, could you please tell me the names of the 2 colors of the Rustoleum spray paint you used? I’d like to use the same exact colors. Thank you.
        Reply
        • Kristen Raney says

          May 17, 2020 at 10:07 am

          I'm not really sure of the names, since it was 3 years ago. However, it's the light blue (not turquoise or pastel, more of a sky blue) and the next darkest one--not navy.
          Reply
          • Jackie says

            May 20, 2020 at 9:05 am

            Thank you!
  3. Connie O’Malley says

    September 24, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    I live in Arizona where colors fade from the sun. Should I seal the pots?
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      September 30, 2020 at 5:29 am

      Yes, definitely! Your sun is way more intense there. I'd love to hear your results with how long the colour lasts.
      Reply
  4. RuthN says

    September 26, 2020 at 3:51 am

    Came across you via Pinterest, looking for decorating plastic pots, (!!) Found a lovely range of spray colours on Amazon UK, named KOBRA. Hope the US site has them, too!!! (fingers crossed)
    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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