All About Terracotta
The History and Creation of Terracotta
Terracotta has a long and eventful history through its earliest recorded usage until now. Translated literally as “baked clay”, terracotta was first used in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley.
Used for everything from bowls, pots, and other vessels, to bricks and sculptures, baked clay appears in the historical record the world over. More than 5000 years ago, in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, clay pots were used for growing herbs and other sacred plants.
Terracotta also played an important role in early Chinese civilizations, both through agricultural and ornamental roles. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, famously had a massive collection of life-size clay soldiers known as the Terracotta Army.
Despite its humble yet significant beginnings, terracotta still plays a role in the way we garden and grow today.
Because of its porous nature, terracotta has long been considered an excellent medium for growing plants. When baked, clay pots allow for the movement of both air and water, encouraging proper drainage and air flow that allows plants to thrive. Clay is heavy and thus, supportive, and it prevents overwatering and root rot.
If you look around any greenhouse or garden, you’ll often find clay pots in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. But the fundamental practice is the same.
Since its earliest days, terracotta has been formed from a mixture of clay and water. Shaped by hand, in a mold, or on a pottery wheel, the vessels are then left to dry. Once dry, any additional detail work takes place, and then the clay is fired in an oven or kiln at extremely high temperatures, which creates the distinctive reddish colour.
Caring for Terracotta
For the same reasons why terracotta is often favoured, fresh terracotta pots require soaking before use. Without this, the pot will remove the moisture from potting soil upon planting. Soak the pot for at least an hour prior to prevent this.
When it comes to winter, we all know how harsh the cold temperatures can get. Terracotta is prone to cracking, so move your terracotta pots indoors or into a heated garage to avoid the depths of winter cold. If moisture seeps into existing cracks and then freezes, it could cause more damage to the pot.
Terracotta pots do require cleaning because they are prone to mineral deposits and build-up, which leads to discolouration. Soak the empty pot in a mixture of water and vinegar, and scrub to remove the deposits. Do so with caution, because the material can chip or crack.
Ideal Plants for Terracotta
Although terracotta offers many benefits to gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts, there are pros and cons of using this porous material.
Some of the best plants to grow in terracotta pots are succulents and cacti, which prefer fast-draining soil and dry roots. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano, which do well in dry environments, also grow well in terracotta. And any houseplants which are prone to root rot and prefer a soil mix that drains well—sansevieria, pothos, philodendrons, hoyas, and many others—may also benefit from living in a terracotta home.
Some plants, on the other hand, like to keep their roots slightly wet and prefer never to dry out entirely. This includes ferns, palms, alocasias, calatheas (and other prayer plants), peace lilies, and African violets. For plants that don’t like their roots dry, terracotta is not the ideal material.
Keep in mind that these specifics are circumstantial. Every plant is a little different, and some take better to certain habitats than others. It also depends on the frequency of watering, the amount of direct or indirect light, and the weather conditions which a plant may be exposed to.
Decorating Terracotta
Although terracotta is often celebrated for its earthen tones, especially in an outdoor space, there are situations where you might prefer something a little more lively. In that case, you might want a terracotta pot to act as a blank canvas for paint or other decoration.
This is a great summer project! Get the family together before it’s time to return to school, and see what you can come up with. Floral Acres has a wide assortment of terracotta pots, in all different shapes and sizes, so come take a look!
Because of the nature of the material, it is not simply a matter of applying paint, so we will go through some of the specifics of painting and decorating terracotta.
- Prepare
Soak new pots or clean used ones, using warm water and dish soap. Clean well to remove any dirt or adhesive residue. Allow the pots to fully dry before you proceed. The pot will absorb moisture so this could take a day or more.
Look the pot over for any chips or other defects. If you like, use some fine-grit sandpaper on the outside surface to smooth any rough spots—but this is optional.
- Seal
The most important part of this process is sealing the surface of the pot. You can use any sort of clay pot sealer, or other porous material sealant. These often come in an aerosol can. Apply the sealer to the inside and bottom rim, which will stop moisture from escaping the inside and damaging the paint on the outside.
Note: This step does affect the naturally porous nature, and may inhibit the flow of air and moisture in the same way as it does with unglazed terracotta. You can negate this to a certain extent by leaving the bottom of the pot or the drainage saucer unpainted.
Once the inside is dry, apply a layer of sealer to the outside which will act as a primer.
- Decorate
The best options are outdoor or craft acrylic paints, latex paints, or even spray paint. Apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat, which will help keep the paint from cracking or flaking off. Allow it to dry in between coats so you have a better idea of how vibrant the colours are.
Paint the top inch or so of the interior of the pot because this will be visible above the line of the soil.
And get creative! See what sort of patterns and designs you can come up with. Use painters tape for crisp lines, sketch out shapes or other images in advance, or just freehand it. Try metallic paint for a little extra shimmer. Use air dry or modelling clay to create some depth and texture.
The only limit is what you can come up with. Whether you prefer soft, muted tones or a vibrant, colourful masterpiece, it’s all up to you. Why not make a coordinated collection for each of your plants?
We would love to see your designs!
- Protect
Once you’re done painting and have your design in place, protect your efforts with a clear topcoat or other sealer. This will help to ensure the longevity of your paint, especially if the pot is outdoors and exposed to the elements.
Then, if you haven’t already got a plant in mind, select one to live in your new piece of terracotta art.
- Additional Pointers
If you prefer not to seal the pot, or don’t have anything sufficient, you can keep a plant in its plastic nursery pot and slip it inside of the terracotta.
Avoid any seal or paint on the very bottom so the pot still drains.
Let the pot cure for at least one full day before planting in it.
Repurposing Terracotta
The last thing to touch on here is reusing or repurposing damaged or broken terracotta pots. You may have seen broken clay used for decor or other aesthetic purposes. Even broken, they can provide an earthy pop of colour to your yard.
Below are a few different ideas, but see what you can come up with!
● Use the large part of a broken or cracked pot on its side to act as a planter, with fragments and plants “spilling” from the centre of it
● Use rim pieces or other rounded edges to line the edge of a garden bed or a pathway—but be sure these aren’t sharp or hazardous
● Broken pieces of terracotta make for a great garden shelter for critters and crawlies in your yard
● Write on fragments to use them as plant markers (or even paint the fragments for decoration!)
● Broken down terracotta can act as mulch or pest deterrent around your garden plants
● See what other creative ideas you can come up with!
Hopefully you’ve learned something new about terracotta—I know I have. Until next time!