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Easy DIY to Age New Clay Pots: Vintage Terra Cotta Pots

Love the look of old Vintage Clay pots? Here is a quick and easy DIY process to make your new pots look like vintage, aged terra cotta pots that have been in your garden for years. This easy DIY idea to age new clay pots will have you running to the store for new pots.

I’ve been setting up my potting bench and dreaming of Spring.

I love clay pots and have quite a collection. Some are old and have the aged look I desire, but others are new and lack character.  

Because I prefer an aged look, I’ve been making my own with some trial and error. 

How To age new clay pots to look like crusty vintage terra cotta pots.

How to Age New Clay Pots

This is my favorite quick and easy DIY, with step-by-step instructions, that will leave your garden full of vintage-inspired clay pots.

Aging new clay pots is easy; the longer you have them, the better they look.

Easy DIY to make new clay pots look like aged vintage pieces.  Authentic craft project to creative vintage charm.

This DIY project will give you this chippy, mossy look that I love.

EASY DIY to Age New Clay Pots.  Step by Step instructions to aging your pots. Farmhouse-style potting bench.
Look at this chippy paint

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Instructions for Aging New Clay Pots

Step one – Gather Supplies

Supplies:

  1. Terra Cotta Pots and Small Pots
  2. Black and white paint (any craft paint will do. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on these because I had it on hand, and it dries so fast.
  3. Mod Podge Multi-purpose glue 
  4. Moss
  5. Paintbrush (chip brush works great.
  6. toothpicks or popsicle sticks to spread the glue
  7. 40-60 grit sandpaper
  8. Spray Adhesive optional
  9. Clear Matt Sealer optional

Step Two – Add Paint

Apply a small amount of black or brown paint to the clay pot.  

Begin with random swipes of the graphite paint.

Age new clay pots by adding splashes of black paint for DIY craft project.

I only try to cover an area partially with just a few strokes of the brush. 

Because Chalk paint dries very quickly, you can apply a whitewash to the pots quickly.

So go ahead and mix the white color with equal parts water and add random swipes of the whitewash.

Instructions to age new clay pots with added white paint for a farmhouse old vintage terra cotta pot look.

Don’t try to cover the entire pot with paint. You want some of the terra cotta to be revealed.

I like these short pots with saucers.

Age new clay pots.  Step by step DIY instructions to create authentic old terra cotta pots for  farmhouse decor.

How To Get A DIY Chippy Look

To get a DIY Chippy look on your new pots, brush the pots with Mod Podge once the paint is dry.


You want to leave the coverage thicker in some areas, and don’t worry about covering the entire pot.  

Age New Clay Pots with simple DIY instructions.  Supplies to age pots
Leaving the Mod Podge thicker in some areas

Allow the Mod Podge to dry.

Age Clay Pots with mod podge for vintage terra cotta plant containers.

Break Time

This is what the pots are looking like at this point. 

Because mod podge takes longer to dry, this is an excellent time to break up your moss and prepare your glue for the next step. You can also have lunch, go for a walk, or rest.

You want to be sure to allow drying time before the next step.  

How to easily age new terra cotta pots with this DIY technique.  Farmhouse Style Greenhouse decorating.
Close up view

Add More Paint To Age Clay Pots


Now you want to add more white paint. 

This time, the mix is 2 parts paint to 1 part water because you want a slightly thicker mixture than the first.  

Apply random strokes of thicker white paint.

Here, I’ve started adding the thicker white paint.  Once again, don’t cover the whole pot.  

Have I said that before?? LOL!!

Adding texture to make a new clay pot look like a vintage one.  Greenhouse decor for plants.

Time to Sand

It’s important to allow everything to dry thoroughly because you will be sanding next.

Use your fine-grit sandpaper or sanding block to sand away some of the paint and Mod Podge to create a peeling paint look.  

Adding layers makes your new pot look like a vintage inspired clay pot.  Potting bench filled with farmhouse style.
Notice the areas where the paint appears to be peeling away.

If you are satisfied with the chippy look, then it’s time to move to the final step.

Add More Texture with preserved moss

Now, you are ready to add moss. 

I use a toothpick to apply Mod Podge glue to the areas where I want moss, and then I apply tiny pieces of the moss to each pot in random places. 

If you only want tiny pieces of moss, you only need a small amount of glue.  If you want heavier coverage, let it dry and add more to what you’ve already done.  This will ensure that the moss doesn’t fall off.  

Option for Heavier Moss Coverage

Here is another way to get much heavier coverage.

Place the moss in a plastic bag to crush it into smaller pieces, and place the crushed moss on a sheet of wax paper. Then, coat the pot with a thick layer of glue or use a spray adhesive.

Roll the glue-covered areas of the pot over the moss until you get the desired coverage.

Optional Step

If you want to ensure that your pots will stay looking like they do right now, you can spray a light coat of clear mat sealer over them. I want mine to continue to age, so I just let nature take over from this point.

This is the look I desire for my pots.

Moss adds an additional element to the new clay pots. Age terra cotta pots with Easy DIY technique.

What Can I Use Aged Clay Pots For?

Here are a few ways to use the aged clay pots indoors and out.

Here is one of the aged pots with a DIY faux topiary added that I use on my screened porch.
The church painting is available in my store.

Aged Terra Cotta Pots filled with faux topiaries and a old church painting on a metal vintage ice box.

I love using the aged pots on pots filling my potting bench and in our DIY Greenhouse.

Display them in large planters or window boxes. Be sure to provide a good water source for window box planters. These cute terra cotta spikes would be great.

See Easy Container Garden Ideas To Spruce Up Your Outdoor Spaces for more details.

Container Garden with window box filled with terra cotta pot.

Additional Outdoor Gardening Ideas

See additional ideas for DIY projects, gardening and potting bench ideas.

Resources

I hope you enjoy aging your clay pots.  This is a really easy DIY, so I hope you’ll try it. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Your comments are so appreciated.
Happy Potting!  

It’s time to start planning your spring gardens and my friend Stacy has some great tips. Here is Stacy’s post to help you get started. It’s a Good Time to Start a Garden

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DIY An Aged look for new clay pots.
How To Age Terra Cotta Pots the easy way.
Step by Step instruction to making your new pots look like aged vintage containers.

Wendy McMonigle

Sunday 7th of April 2024

I love these pots, Rachel; they look so realistic. I will have to try this this summer.

Rachel

Monday 8th of April 2024

Wendy, I'm still using many of these pots and they get better with age. Thanks for stopping by.

MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

Monday 13th of March 2023

Rachel, thanks for the great tutorial on ageing new clay pots. I am going to use your DIY to do some new clay pots that I have. I have 10 of the large clay pots that have aged just by being on our porch for over 10 years and I just love seeing them with the summer flowers planted in them. Now, I want to age some smaller pots for family and friends. I really like the look of your pots. You have so many great ideas! Enjoy your week!

Rachel

Tuesday 14th of March 2023

Mary-Ann, I'm so glad you found this helpful. Thank you for stopping by.

Renae

Monday 13th of March 2023

I love this idea. The pots look great.

Rachel

Tuesday 14th of March 2023

Renae, I really appreciate this.

Ivory

Thursday 25th of February 2021

I absolutely love this diy. As always, did an amazing job! I too love this aged look on my flower pots, but could not find any I could afford. Thanks to you, I now can create my own this summer. You rock!!!

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Sunday 28th of February 2021

Ivory, Thanks so much for these sweet compliments. You made my day.. Rachel

Catherine Sokolowski

Thursday 28th of May 2020

I love how your pots turned out. You made it look easy to do. Looks like something I might be able try. Thanks for sharing!!

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Thursday 28th of May 2020

Catherine, I really appreciate your input. I'm so glad you like this diy. Thanks for stopping by. Rachel