Learn about marbled terracotta pots, how to create them using spray paint for a unique and colorful new look.

Two marbled terracotta pots. One with a blue and green painted rim and the other fully painted with red, white and blue paint.

I have many empty terracotta flower pots in my house from summer annuals or houseplants that needed to be repotted or died. So I thought it would be fun to decorate a couple. One technique I've seen but haven't tried is marbleizing with spray paint.

Some people do this with nail polish. However, I have many more paint colors to work with in my stash than nail polish.

Supplies

Disposable aluminum pan
Wooden skewer or plastic knife
Plastic gloves
Terracotta pots
Spray paints in different colors
Painter's tape - optional

An aluminum pan with water and a mix of white, blue and green spray paint floating on top.

How to Marbleize Pots with Spray Paint

Step 1. Clean and dry the clay planters.

Step 2. Prepare your work area with newspapers to protect the furniture and make sure that you are working outside or in a well ventilated room.

Step 3. Tape off areas of the pot you don't want painted with painter's tape.

Step 4. Fill an aluminum pan or plastic container with water.

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Step 5. Spray the surface of the water about 8 inches above in short spurts with different colors of spray paint.

Step 6. Use a wooden skewer or a plastic knife to swirl the colors around in the water to get a marble look.

A short terracotta pot with a rim that has been marbled with white, blue and green spray paint. Painters' tape is attached below the rim.

Step 7. Dip the pot into the water and lift it out to see the reaction. You can continue to dip the pot to get more areas covered. You can also add more paint to the pan and dip the pot again. Just note that the spray paint dries pretty quickly, so you need to work fast.

Step 8. Set the pot on newspaper to dry.

red, white and blue spray paint on water in an aluminum pan.

Since the terracotta pots are somewhat dark, I made sure to use white paint as one of the colors for the marble effect. For the first pot, I used white, blue, and green and only covered the rim. For my second pot, I used red, white, and blue paint to cover the entire pot.

A red, white, and blue marbled flower pot drying on newspaper.

To cover the entire pot, hold it sideways and roll it into the water and paint mixture.

Marbled terracotta pots drying on newspaper.

They dry pretty quickly. You may notice a bubble or two. You can easily press them out with your fingers.

If you like, you could spray or brush them with polyurethane, but I don't think they need it, as the spray paint is already formulated for use on all kinds of surfaces.

A clay pot with the rim marbled with white, blue and green spray paint. A purple African violet set in side.

Looks pretty cute with a pretty plant, right?

A red, white and blue clay pot with a peperomia caperata plant inside.

This patriotic pot could be used for a 4th of July celebration to hold plasticware or napkins.

Two marbled terracotta pots. One with only the rim painted and the other fully painted.

It was an easy and fun project. I had to work indoors due to the weather, and I did notice the fumes. However, I had an exhaust fan on and our porch door open. In the future, I will definitely do this kind of work outside.

More Painted Pots Ideas

Two marbled terracottta pots. One in blue and green edge and one fully covered in a red, white and blue theme.

How to Marble Clay Pots with Spray Paint

Learn how to make beautiful marbled terra cotta pots with basic spray paints in this very easy tutorial.

Prep Time5

Active Time20

Drying Time1

Total Time1 25

Equipment

Disposable aluminum pan
Wooden skewer or plastic knife

Materials

Terracotta pots
spray paints in different colors
Painters tape Optional
Plastic gloves

Instructions

Work in a well ventilated area or outside, and cover the area with newspaper or other coverings to protect furniture.
Clean and dry your terracotta pots.
Tape off the area just below the rim with painters tape if desired.
Fill the aluminum pan with water.
Spray paints on top of the water about 8 inches in short bursts.
Use a wooden skewer or a plastic knife to swirl the paint giving it a marble effect.
For painting the top rim, dunk the top of the pot upside down into the paint just until you get to the painters tape and lift up.
Continue dipping the top into the paint and/or adding more paint if needed until you get a look you like.
To paint a full pot, dip the pot into the paint on its side and roll it around until you get it covered. Continue adding more paint to the water and dipping the pot until you get a look you like.
Place the pots on newspaper to fully dry.

Notes

Make sure that you work in a well-ventilated room or outside due to the paint fumes.

Also, make sure that your surfaces are well covered so that there is no overspray from the paint.

The spray paint is likely to dry fast, so you will need to work quickly.

Once the pot is mostly dry, you may notice a bubble or two in the paint. If this happens, simply press it out with your fingers.

You can use brush-on or spray polyurethane for a clear finish if you like, but you may not need it with spray paints.

Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram