Ethan Clarke
Plastic plant pots are durable and inexpensive, but they can become damaged or faded over time. Instead of throwing them away, there are several ways to revamp them. You can repair cracks and chips with DIY solutions, or give them a new look by painting them. Painting plastic pots can prevent further weathering and add pops of colour to your garden or home. You can even make a plastic planter look like it's made from stone or clay by using plaster or joint compound to create texture before painting. If you're not interested in keeping your old plastic plant pots, you can also recycle or upcycle them, for example, by turning them into mini greenhouses, worm composters, or bee hotels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Repair cracks | Seal cracks with plaster or joint compound |
| Refresh look | Paint with spray paint or regular paint |
| Protect the area | Place the planter on a drop cloth |
| Paint the interior first | Shake the spray paint can for at least two minutes |
| Paint exterior | Spray paint the outside of the pot |
| Use as filler | Invert smaller pots inside larger pots |
| Use as composters | Drill holes in the container and bury it in the soil |
| Use as a vertical garden | Drill holes, string rope through them and stack |
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What You'll Learn
Painting plastic plant pots
Prepare the Pot:
Start by removing most of the potting soil from the plastic plant pot. You can remove all the soil, but if you're feeling lazy, removing about one-third of it will do. Next, clean the pot with soap and water to get rid of any dirt or residue. Let the pot dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Sand the Pot:
Lightly sand the outside of the pot with fine-grit sandpaper. This step is crucial if the plastic pot has a shiny finish. Sanding will create a rough surface, allowing the paint to adhere better to the plastic. After sanding, wipe the pot with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Choose Your Paint:
Select a paint suitable for plastic surfaces. Spray paints are a popular choice for painting plastic plant pots, as they are easy to apply and can provide even coverage. Look for paints specifically labelled for outdoor use and plastic surfaces. Rust-Oleum is a commonly recommended brand for painting plastic plant pots. You can also use other types of paint like chalk paint or acrylic paint, but make sure they are suitable for plastic and outdoor conditions.
Prepare Your Work Area:
If painting your pot outside, choose a day that is not windy. Cover the ground with a drop cloth, such as a plastic sheet, an old sheet, or newspaper, to protect the area from paint. Use bricks, blocks of wood, or rocks to lift the pot off the ground, making it easier to paint the bottom half and ensure good coverage.
Paint the Pot:
Shake the spray paint can according to the instructions, usually for at least two minutes. Start by painting the interior of the pot, and then move to the exterior. You can skip painting the very bottom of the pot. Follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for drying times between coats. You may need to apply multiple coats of paint for full coverage, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
Seal the Paint (Optional):
Once you're happy with the paint job, you can apply a sealant to protect your painted pot from the elements. This step is especially important if the pot will be placed outdoors. Use a sealant suitable for plastic surfaces, such as the Rustoleum sealant, and spray a layer over the painted pot. Let the sealant dry overnight before planting anything in the pot.
With these simple steps, you can give your plastic plant pots a new lease of life and add a creative touch to your garden or home décor.
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Making plastic plant pots look like aged stone
Revamping plastic plant pots is a fun and easy DIY project that can give your garden a creative spin. Here is a detailed guide on how to make your plastic plant pots look like aged stone:
Materials:
You will need a plastic planter pot, paint, and a type of plaster or joint compound. You can use a plastic drop cloth to cover your work area and protect it from paint. Old bricks, blocks of wood, or rocks can be used to lift the pot off the ground for easier painting.
Preparation:
Start by removing most of the potting soil from your pot. If your pot is a different colour, you may want to spray paint it with a primer coat before adding the joint compound. Choose a day that is not too windy for painting, and consider doing it outdoors for better ventilation and quicker drying.
Applying the Joint Compound:
Use a putty knife to apply the joint compound to the pot. Create the desired texture by manipulating the compound with the knife. The joint compound will turn white when the pot is dry.
Painting:
Spray paint the textured pot with your chosen colour. A satin finish is recommended instead of gloss for a more natural stone look. To enhance the aged and weathered appearance, use a brown or light brown craft paint first. Acrylic craft paint works well and can be lightly added in random places to simulate dirt on the pot.
Additional Tips:
- You can create a messier, more textured look by applying paint with a sponge or even your hands.
- For a softer, aged look, try a black wash technique. Dilute black paint with water and brush it onto the painted surface. Lightly wipe off most of the black wash, allowing it to remain in the crevices.
- To protect your paint job and add a subtle sheen, you can finish with a coat of clear sealer.
With these simple steps, you can transform your plastic plant pots into beautiful aged stone containers for your herbs and flowers.
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Repairing cracks in plastic plant pots
Plastic plant pots are much cheaper than clay, but the sun and weather can weaken them over time, causing cracks and breaks. Luckily, there are several ways to repair cracks in plastic plant pots, which can also give them a new look.
One way to repair cracks in plastic plant pots is by using epoxy. First, clean the planter, then mix a batch of two-part epoxy and apply it to the inside and outside of the crack. Let it cure, and the planter should be good as new. Epoxy will hold up to the elements and is a good option if the planter will be in contact with water.
Another option is to use a plastic bonder and gap filler, such as J-B Weld Plastic Bonder Body Panel Adhesive. This can be applied directly to the crack to repair it. Alternatively, hot glue can be used to fix a crack in a planter.
If the crack is on a thin area, such as a curved rim, gaffer tape can be used to reinforce the area. Place the gaffer tape on the inside of the planter, then put a polythene bag inside and fill it with soil.
For a more creative option, you can use spray paint to cover up cracks and refresh the look of your plastic plant pots. Choose a day that isn't windy, and use a plastic drop cloth to cover the ground. Remove most of the potting soil from the pot and place it on bricks or blocks of wood to raise it off the ground for easy painting. Shake the spray paint can for at least two minutes, then start by painting the interior of the pot before moving to the exterior.
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Recycling plastic plant pots
Plastic plant pots can be recycled, but it depends on the type of plastic they are made from and the facilities available in your local area. To recycle your plastic plant pots, contact your local disposal company or ask at local nurseries and garden centres.
If your local area does not recycle plastic plant pots, there are many ways to repurpose them. Firstly, you can use them for their original purpose, but be sure to disinfect them first to prevent the spread of fungal diseases to your plants. Smaller pots can be used as mini greenhouses for young plants, protecting them from birds and other critters. You can also use plastic pots as filler by upending them inside larger plant pots.
Another way to repurpose plastic plant pots is to use them as worm composters. To do this, drill holes in the container, fill it with kitchen scraps, and bury it in the soil. Worms and other soil organisms will break down the scraps. You can also create a bee hotel by cutting holes in the side of the pot and filling it with straw, leaf litter, and other dry organic materials.
If you want to get creative, you can give your plastic plant pots a new look by painting them. Spray paint is a good option for this, and you can even make a plastic planter look like aged stone by using a type of plaster or joint compound to create a textured effect before painting.
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Using plastic plant pots as decorative items
Plastic plant pots can be revamped and reused in a variety of ways, adding a decorative touch to your home and garden. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Paint a Base Colour
Start by choosing a colour scheme that complements your space. You can use spray paint designed for use on plastic, such as Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Spray Paint, to give your pot a new lease of life. If you want to create a specific look, such as a terracotta or aged stone effect, choose a base colour that will help you achieve that. For example, a light brown base colour can be a good starting point for a pot that will be textured and painted to look aged.
Add Texture with Plaster or Joint Compound
To create a textured look, use a putty knife to apply a layer of plaster or joint compound over the base coat of paint. You can experiment with different types of plaster, such as Plaster of Paris or Patching Plaster, but keep in mind that some types may not adhere well to plastic and can be fragile. Joint Compound has been found to be the easiest to apply and the most durable. You can create the desired texture by smoothing out the compound or leaving it more rugged.
Spray Paint the Pot
Once the base coat and texture are dry, it's time to add the final coat of paint. A satin finish spray paint is a good choice for creating a more subtle, aged look, as opposed to a glossy finish. You can use a brown or light brown craft paint first to enhance the aged and weathered effect. If you don't like the result, simply add more spray paint and start over.
Create a Vertical Garden
Another decorative idea is to create a vertical garden by drilling holes in the containers and stringing rope through them. You can then stack the pots to create a unique and space-saving garden feature.
Make a Bee Hotel
You can also contribute to wildlife conservation by creating a bee hotel. Cut some holes in the side of the pot and fill it with straw, leaf litter, and other dry organic materials to provide a cosy habitat for bees.
By upcycling plastic plant pots, you not only add decorative touches to your space but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing waste and reusing plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cover the ground with a plastic drop cloth or an old sheet/newspaper. Place the pot on top of something disposable, like old bricks, to raise it off the ground so you can get good coverage of the bottom half. Next, shake the spray paint can for at least two minutes. Start by spray-painting the interior of the pot, then move to the exterior. You can skip painting the bottom.
You can use a type of plaster or joint compound to give the planter pot texture before painting it. Apply the joint compound to the pot using a putty knife and create the texture you desire. The joint compound will turn white when the pot is dry. Spray the textured pot with spray paint—a satin finish is recommended over gloss. To make the pot look aged and weathered, use a brown or light brown craft paint first.
You can use them as decorative items. Drill holes in the containers and string rope through them to use stacked as a vertical garden. You can also create a bee hotel by cutting some holes in the side and filling the pot with straw, leaf litter, and other dry organic items. Smaller pots can be inverted as mini greenhouses for tender plants.
