This DIY Mosaic flower pot is made with an old terra cotta pot and ceramic dishes from thrift stores. A great trash-to-treasure project.
My sister bought me the beautiful pot in the background of the image above from an artist's center many years ago. I always wanted to try my own hand at creating something similar and I can't believe how easy it was to turn an old clay pot into a colorful mosaic planter.
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How to Make an Inexpensive Mosaic Pot
Supplies
- A Clay Pot (cleaned and dried if you're using an old one)
- Different colorful ceramic plates and cups (thrift store buys, or ceramic tile from the hardware store)
- Silicone sealant or other heavy-duty tile adhesive
- Premixed grout in white
- Disposable gloves
You may have some great colorful pieces of ceramic pottery in your home that you can use, but if you don't, a thrift store is a great option for affordable purchases. In a pinch, you can try a few colorful ceramic tiles from the hardware store.
Step 1. - Place your plates and cups in a plastic bag and use a hammer to break them up into smaller pieces. Tip: This works best when you are working on a hard surface.
Note: You can make it work, but it's easier in the long run if the pieces are about the same thickness.
Step 2. - Next, go through and pick out the best mosaic pieces of the bunch for the pot.
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Step 3. - Use "Hard as Nails" adhesive or something like this silicon sealant to glue your broken plates and tile pieces all over the pot.
Safety Note: Make sure also to cover the area with newspaper and wear gloves.
Step 4. - Then place your pot upside down on top of a couple of cans and cover it with premixed grout using a plastic spoon or knife. I made sure to add grout up to and including the rim just like my gifted pot.
This is the same grout I used to make my cheap flower pot last year. Note, I chose white as my grout color to make the mosaic pieces stand out. However, you can use any color you like.
Step 5. - Carefully start removing the excess grout with a damp rag from the top of the ceramic pieces. Also, smooth out the areas between the ceramic pieces as well as the areas at the top and bottom of the pot. Continue to wipe down and buff the mosaic pieces a couple of times with a damp sponge over the next hour or so to remove any grout haze.
Allow the pot to thoroughly dry, approximately 24 hours or more before using.
I would not plant directly in this pot because terra cotta clay is porous. Consider just popping in a nursery pot inside. However, if you really want to use it with soil try coating the inside with a sealant made for clay pots.
Overall, the artist's pot is a bit nicer than mine but I am pretty happy with the final product.
DIY Mosaic Planter with Thrifted Plates and Cups
Equipment
- Hammer
- Sponge and Rags
- Large Plastic Bag
- Disposable Gloves
Materials
- 1 Terra Cotta (Clay) Pot
- Colorful pieces of ceramic plates, tiles, china
- Tile Adhesive - Hard As Nails or Silicone Sealant
- Pre-mixed Grout in White
- Plastic knife
Instructions
- Place your ceramic plates, tiles etc. in a large plastic bag.
- Use a hammer to break up the pieces, checking occasionally to see the size.
- Clean and dry the clay pot.
- Glue broken mosaic pieces onto the pot with silicone adhesive.
- Once dry place the pot upside down on some cans or anything that will lift it up on a covered surface.
- Start spreading the grout all over with a plastic knife filling in between the tile pieces and up to the edge of the pot.
- Start removing the grout with a wet sponge or rag from the broken plates or china.
- As the grout continues to dry go over the ceramic pieces with a damp sponge or rag to remove any grout haze.
- Allow the grout to dry for 24 hours before using the pot.
- Set plant with a nursery pot inside the mosaic planter and enjoy.
Notes
Jean Tankersley Carroll
I have found a quick and inexpensive way to dress up old large plastic pots
I had some old paint left over ,I just mixed play sand with the paint .Paint was a off white looks amazing if I dont like the color later some spray paint will solve that
Patti Estep
That's a great idea Jean. Thanks for sharing.
Carole West
These look fun and after I finish my RV update I will have to think about adding something like this for a handing planter. Limited space can have it's drawbacks but with this redo I'm finding neat ways to add some personal touch without feeling cluttered. Have a great weekend Patti...
Patti Estep
It would make a beautiful hanging planter Carole. I hope you get a chance to try it one day.