TRANSFORM A CHEAP PLASTIC PLANTER INTO A GORGEOUS OLD WORLD CLAY PLANTER | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hi creative friends! This plastic planter makeover was so fun to do and Google Lens mistakenly identified it as a $2700 Spanish 19th Century Black Terracotta Urn Planter! So if you don’t have $2700 for a huge vintage planter, a few dollars in paint can level up the cheapest plastic planter beautifully.
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Here’s the large plastic planter I found at Walmart. They had a variety of shapes and sizes, selling for between $15-$25 dollars.
I picked up this plastic gray one for $19.99. I liked the size. It measures 18 inches tall with a 20-inch opening for the large plant Andrea found for me… the inspiration for this DIY! More on that plant in a bit. I liked the classic shape, but didn’t like the gray plastic for my decor.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Plastic Planter – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Bonding BOSS Primer
WoodUbend Trim
Sanding Sponge
Shop Towels
Chip Brush
Paint Brush
Drop Cloth Chalk Mineral Paint
Chocolate Chalk Mineral Paint
Terracotta Chalk Mineral Paint
Collard Greens Chalk Mineral Paint
Gator Hide Topcoat
PLASTIC PLANTER MAKEOVER
Before I get into the step-by-step process of giving this Walmart Plastic Planter a brand new look, I want to share my inspiration for DIY. I’ve been on the hunt for a low-light and low-maintenance large plant. My sister Andrea found this Zamioculcas (aka ZZ plant) at The Watering Can and texted me this pic asking if I wanted her to pick it up for me. Yes, please!! It’s beautiful! It’s such a gorgeous plant that needs a lovely, large pot to live in!
CLEAN
I set up my worktable and cleaned this planter with this heavy-duty cleaner. After cleaning it, I used a damp sponge with clean water to wipe down any residue the cleaner may have left.
SCUFF SAND | BONDING PRIMER
To create some ‘tooth’ for the primer and paint to cling to, you can scuff sand the plastic with a medium grit flexible sanding sponge. I opted to use a Bonding Primer and SKIPPED the scuff sanding altogether. I used this Bonding BOSS Primer, which I love having in my inventory for these types of slick surface makeovers. This primer is water-based and easy to use. I did run into an issue using it on plastic, so below, I’ve included a ‘best practice’ tip for applying it onto any plastic surface.
As per instructions, I painted on my first coat and let it dry overnight. When I came down the next morning I did a scratch test with a very sharp metal screw. The scratch test passed with flying colors, where the primer was brushed on with an ample coat. Where I brushed the primer on too thinly, the primer was scratching off. I’ve used this bonding primer on numerous furniture projects and have never had this issue. Now I know when priming plastic, a good coat is required.
APPLYING WOODUBEND TRIM
Now for the fun part—transforming this plain plastic planter into something custom and vintage. I pulled out some WoodUbend Trim and used the existing details on this planter to guide me in gluing it on. Woodubend is SUPER easy to use and packs a real punch on every project I’ve ever used it on. You can see how I used WoodUbend to totally transform this mirror, this lovely dresser, and I have 14 other gorgeous WoodUbend projects here!
To apply the trim, I used my heat gun and some glue. Cutting the trim into “manageable” lengths worked much better than keeping the entire role intact. I have a full post (including video) on How To Apply Woodubend here.
I also learned that, besides cutting it into manageable lengths, to get a seamless look when joining the trim, it’s better to cut on a 45-degree angle rather than straight up and down. The pic below has it cut straight up and down because it took me almost the full project before I remembered to cut on the diagonal.
After the Woodubend was applied and dry, I went in with another coat of Bonding Boss Primer, making sure to apply a nice good layer – not too thinly. I wasn’t worried about the direction or smoothness while applying the primer. For this faux clay technique, a little texture is welcome.
FAUX CLAY PAINT TECHNIQUE
To get a faux clay look is all about layering paint colors. I used Drop Cloth, Chocolate, and Terracotta to get a warm and vintage clay look. While the paint is wet, I dab my brush into the various colors and paint in different directions. Sometimes a smooth brushstroke. Sometimes I dab the brush to give it a little texture. As you can see in the pic below, its starts to look more and more ‘authentic’ the more you layer on the paint. To give it a vintage old world look, I used Collard Greens and dabbed around the top and under the WoodUbend Trim to give it a mossy aged look.
And there is no right or wrong way of doing this. Have fun and play with the paint until you like what you see. I did just that, and when I wasn’t happy with the way it was looking, I painted over the area with another layer of paint.
Same thing when I was applying the Collard Green faux moss. If it looked a little too heavy in areas, it was painted over.
TOPCOAT / PROTECT
To protect this piece and unify the terracotta faux finish, I used Gator Hide mixed with about 10% Terracotta paint. I brushed on two coats. I wasn’t overly particular in how I brushed it on because the more texture, the better. I think it looks better and more authentic when this topcoat is brushed on in different directions and dabbed onto some areas, exactly like the faux paint technique to get this look.
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The pot looks amazing! I love your rug too. Can you please tell me more about the rug.
Thanks Jane and thanks for your patience – I had to find this rug on my past Amazon purchases. Here it is https://amzn.to/4y8uuUG I bought a smaller one for my front entrance as well because they are so lovely and EASY to keep clean! The smaller one I just throw in the wash. 🙂
This is gorgeous-I too am having so much fun making pots like this….question: is it weather proof? I don’t have a covered front porch and really want to cover my current plastic pots but don’t want the rain to wash the paint and joint compound away.
Hi Michelle and great question! I’m guessing with the Gator Hide it would be ‘fairly’ weather proof. But I guess that would depend on your weather. Here in the GTA, if it was to be left out all year in the summer, fall, winter, and spring, I don’t think it would hold up. Our seasons are drastic! But if you’re in a more stable climate, I think it would do well. Hope this helps and have fun! 🙂
This looks absolutely amazing, Denise! It looks so authentic and I’m not surprised that GL thought it was the real deal lol. XOXO.
Thank youuuuu, and I love GL!😆 When I’m shopping at the thrift stores, I’m using it to see the value of items, it’s amazing!
I have a stack of gifted thick textured plastic pots that people have gotten rid of in colors that don’t work for me. Can’t wait to dive in!
Thank you!
This sounds amazing and have fun!! XOXO
My kind of plant, thrives on neglect, little light, little water, LOL. Incredible how un-plastic it looks! Great with the moulds too. Thanks for sharing how.
🤣🪴😂!!! Happy Canada Day my friend!🇨🇦
Denise, what an amazing transformation! Thanks for the inspiration!
Aw, thank you Carla! I has so much fun ‘playing’ around with this one!🤗
Wow, quite the authentic looking transformation! Looking forward to watching the video tutorial. Your side kick is a cutie.
My side kick is a CUTIE…lol. Thanks so much my friend! Hugs XOXO
That’s a keeper !! I’m not a fan of plastic pots, but this looks wonderful.
Glad to have an option other than super heavy pots – and it’s so natural looking !
I’m loving the woodubend details. I really need to try this.
I was gifted a ZZ – as I live in a garden level walk out – so – little natural light,
It’s thriving after a year – win win. Low watering is strongly suggested.
It looks wonderful and happy.
Omygosh thanks for the green thumb tips P!!! 🌱🌱🌱 Much appreciated! I really want to keep this ZZ looking as lush as it does right now… it’s gorgeous. When you water your ZZ plant, do you drench it… and then leave it for a month or so? I saw this tip on Youtube but it looked like a really good drenching… I think I’m scared to water it that much.😮
Great Job, Denise! It looks like you just bought it that way. Yeah, good idea to paint the inside as well. The plant, which I’ve never heard of, looks lovely in it. Thanks for the recommendation. Of course, that sweet puppy is a scene stealer adds so much charm.
The Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) also does well in low light. When making up potted green arrangements in my floral shop, I would include a small one amongst the other greenery. Customers bought them for house warmings, as get-well arrangements and new office openings. They have an unusual white flower also.
Hi Catherine!!! Thanks and yes, I have peace lilys upstairs and they do very well not situated right by a window. Thanks for this tip because I totally forgot about them. And I think they can grow quite large in a proper pot as well, right? The ones I have in my bedroom need repotting but they are no where near as large as this ZZ.
Your Li’l Gidget is PAWMAZING, PAWTASTIC, PAWTACULAR, PAWMENDOUS, PAWSOME, AND PAWFECT!!! She makes the most PAWLIGHTFUL Li’l Pupper Model!!! 🥰🥰
I just repeated what you said and gave lil’Gidget a huge hug and kiss from you Susan!😘😂🤣 I think she’s pretty darn PAWFECT as well. She’s come such a long way from when she was first rescued from her journey. I can’t believe that was almost 11 years ago.🤯
GORGEOUS! I have walked by that same pot thinking what if and now I know. Thank you for sharing the helpful tip with BOSS too.. I will definitely be try this on some of my old pots now. I’m a 🪴 lover too. Have a beautiful week, my friend. 😘
Thanks my friend! And ya, I never had that issue with this primer on furniture – but for some reason it doesn’t work when applied ‘lightly’ to plastic. wishing you a beautiful week as well!🤗😘
That turned out great! Such a smart idea.
Thanks my friend!😊
Wow, I would never have known this was a plastic planter, it looks so authentic! I look forward to your weekly projects because I’m always blown away by what you can do with paint! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Paint is like magic, right?!! lol I’m so happy you like the planter makeover Nicki, thanks so much! XOXO
The planter turned out great, your house is beautiful, the plant is beautiful and your little doggy is adorable!
Aw, thanks so much Celia!💙 I had fun doing this diy and yes, Gidget is super sweet on the inside and out!🐶🐾
Your creativity never ceases to amaze me! Love the bendable wood trim. Such a great idea.
I am planning on doing a pot or two of my own thanks to you!
I’m with you – I love the WoodUbend too, such a great way to ‘fancy’ boring things up! Have fun with your pots Jewels!
Wow girl! You did a phenomenal job transforming that plastic pot; it really looks like an authentic clay pot! I love your projects and your talent. I hope your new plant thrives in its beautiful new pot.
I hope this plant thrives as well! I’ve tried a palm, fern, ficus, and dracaena in this spot and have had no luck. Supposedly this ZZ can thrive on lower light so fingers crossed. So glad you like the planter as well, thanks Shannon! xoxo
Hi Denise. I prefer your planter over the $2700 Spanish one! Beautiful. Your sister looks very proud to have found you a large planter. Lol
Awww, thanks Monique… I think that Spanish one is pretty spiffy so big compliment, lol. And yes, Andrea was super happy to have found this gorgeous plant that doesn’t require a ton of care. I LOVE it and hope it thrives for years to come. 🤗