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Timeless Terracotta

BySarah Gibson
21 Comments

What is it about terracotta that exudes that timeless aesthetic we all know and love? It’s a favorite year round, but especially during the summer months. It’s one of those materials that is classic, rather than trendy… even if it has gained popularity in recent years. Why? Because it has been around forever! It’s something I find myself reaching for again and again in both indoor and outdoor spaces. In this post, I’m sharing why I love terracotta, a few of my current favorite planters, and how to age terracotta naturally.

Classic terracotta planters for herbs on outdoor planting bench or cart with dishes and flowers

I popped over to the local greenhouse during my lunch break the other day and grabbed a few matching terracotta planters for our side yard garden. I’m constantly adding to our collection. I love styling them in multiples!

Greek Key Terracotta Planter on Bistro table with Iron Chairs

Why I Love Terracotta

Terracotta comes in so many different shades and textures, and I honestly love them all. For our little garden, I went with weathered planters in a more muted tone. A few have beautiful ridged details, and I plan to mix in some more saturated pieces or vintage finds with a nice patina as I find them.

Small terracotta planters for herbs

If you’re looking for a rich terracotta patina, I’d definitely suggest scouring eBay, Chairish, or Facebook Marketplace for some vintage options. I’ve even had good luck at local yard sales! I have two GIANT terracotta planters that flank our garage doors (pictured below), and I pulled them out of someone’s garage when picking up a vintage rug. They’re beautifully aged, which is really a look that only time can add.

How to Age Terracotta Naturally

If you’re aiming for a lived-in look, the easiest trick is to leave your terracotta planters outside year round. I store a lot of my other planters in the shed through the winter, but terracotta stays out. It develops a nice surface texture, ages beautifully, and requires no extra care. I’m all for simple solutions like that. We’ve had no issues or cracking.

Classic Boxwood in a Large Terracotta Planter

Terracotta Indoors

Even though terracotta is usually associated with gardens, I use it indoors all the time. I’ve got a few sitting in our kitchen window above the sink. They add such a nice texture and organic element to any vignette. The little planters I used in our herb garden project, tend to float indoors and out, depending on how my plants are doing. Sometimes I style them on the window sill, and other times- on the garden shelf outside.

Window sill lavender plant in terracotta planter with polished nickel kitchen sink faucet

A Few Favorites

I’ve rounded up some planters I’ve been eyeing lately. Some are vintage, some are new, some handmade, and they come in a wide range of sizes and prices.

Click directly on each item below to be redirected.

If you’re shopping online, just keep in mind that product images don’t always show true color. The scalloped rim planter I picked up, for example, looks more orange in person, but I still love it.

Stacks of terracotta planters in greenhouse on table

Budget Friendly & Long Lasting

Basic terracotta planters are surprisingly affordable and one of my favorite buys for spring and summer. They get better with age and if you’re patient, they’ll develop into something really special. I’ve had some of mine for 10-12+ years now, and the patina they’ve developed is exactly what I was hoping for.

Terracotta planters styled by garden bench in front of a brick wall

Gifting with Terracotta

When I’m putting together plant gifts, I always go with terracotta. It’s classic, simple, and beautiful. Even if the plant doesn’t last, the pot can be reused again and again. I’ve found that people really appreciate that small extra detail. It’s also one less thing for them to worry about sourcing on their own, and it easily blends with any aesthetic… not to mention, it’s affordable.

Stacks of terracotta planters

FAQ

Is it better to seal terracotta pots?

Personally, I don’t seal mine. I like when the pots breathe and age naturally, especially if I’m planting herbs or something I’ll be harvesting. If you’re using them indoors or with water-sensitive surfaces, sealing the interior might help prevent staining.

Do terracotta pots crack in cold weather?

They can if they’re holding moisture and go through a freeze-thaw cycle. I usually empty and stack mine if I’m not using them in winter. But I do leave a few out to weather on purpose… and I keep plants in a few year round and have had zero issues. If they’re empty and elevated off the ground, I find they usually survive just fine.

How do you clean terracotta pots before reusing them?

I usually scrub mine with a stiff brush and rinse them well. If I’m replanting something delicate or edible, I’ll give them a quick soak in a vinegar and water mix. Nothing complicated, just enough to get them ready for a new season.

Using terracotta planters as a tablescape centerpiece with a woven table runner and white linen tablecloth

Related Planter Posts

Looking for more posts that take the guesswork out of selecting and styling planters? I’ve shared quite a few planter and outdoor styling tips over the years, and I’ll link some of my favorites for summer below to help with your next project!

Classic Terracotta Planters in Potted Garden

Do you use terracotta in your garden or around your home? I’d love to know how you’re incorporating it this season. Whether you’re just getting started or have a collection that’s been with you for years, it’s always fun to see how others use classic materials in their own way. Thanks for reading!

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21 Comments

  1. I love terracotta too – so warm and versatile in both classic and more contemporary settings. The pot with the deep rim in your last photograph is particularly lovely in a simple way.

    I would encourage people to consider using an appropriately-sized mat/coaster of some kind if pots are used indoors (I like a thick, plain round cork coaster best) as terracotta can easily scratch wood and paintwork.

    Reply

    1. Sally have you ever tried using a terra cotta saucer? I have several indoor pots, and I buy the terra cotta saucers for around $1/each- they offer a very finished look, protect furniture from stains and water-I highly recommend! When I’m not watering I’ll sometimes use the smaller ones as a candle pedestal when burning a pillar candle.

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    2. Thanks, Sally! I feel the same way. It’s a material that works in every home with any aesthetic. Such a great tip on using felt, cork, or a coaster / mat of some sort underneath terracotta when using it indoors. I’ve definitely scratch my fair share of surfaces with planters. Thanks for pointing that out! Have a great Thursday :)

      Reply

  2. What says spring more than a waiting pile of terra cotta pots? I love them all, from the most basic to the charmingly ruffled, graphically ribbed and classically adorned. (Although, weirdly, I reject all handled vessels because they’re just breakage in-waiting.) I will say I’m ambivalent about the resin options. I know they are lightweight and resist cracking, and some are quite realistic-looking. But…natural materials will always win for me. Although I’m spending lots of time prepping our vegetable garden (on a friend’s property), my own flower beds and patio planters are in puppy purgatory. 😭 Currently strategizing solutions… Here’s to a glorious weekend playing in the dirt! (Kicked off by a relaxing Pizza Friday, of course!)💜

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    1. Right?! My thoughts exactly. I’m being super impatient over here and was ready to start planting last week. Ha! I love a good handle and haven’t had any break yet (knocking on wood). I’m with you on natural materials- the weight, the patina, they just feel better. Oh dogs and plants. Cash & Cros are fine with our indoor plants, but Cash likes to ruin our garden. Sadly I won’t be planting any onions this year, since it resulted in two trips to the vet. I also have a case of magically disappearing cherry tomatoes because a certain dog LOVES to eat them before I can pick them. Haha! We may have to put up a little fence around the garden, or do some dog training. Oof. Neither sounds like a fun option, so I’m in the same boat. Here’s to pizza Friday tmrw and a hopefully sunny weekend outside!! :) xo

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  3. Jennifer Laura says:

    I agree- so timeless and beautiful!

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  4. You know I’m in love with terra cotta! The rich tones, the way it ages…I have a few sitting in my kitchen window currently- one with a gorgeous pair of orchids, and one with the most delicate succulent I’ve ever seen. There are three enormous pots in my front yard that have been aging empty for the past year- I’m hoping to fill them soon! #1 from your roundup is speaking to me. Lately I’ve been really wanting to get some dwarf citrus trees potted in terra cotta to place along our long patio border. I want the more muted look and if these are sized right, that might just be the ticket! I would love to a find a local nursery that has more than just the basic terra cotta though. Some of the shapes and textures pictured at your nursery look amazing! I would love to find a Greek key pot in similar size and shape to the one on your outdoor table-that one stops me every time I see it. Ahhhh…spring planting- it will be fun this year. We have a lot of work to do in our yard and I’m looking forward to it. Now I’m off to scour through your links! Have a wonderful Thursday!

    Reply

    1. Oh, I know :) Your kitchen window situation sounds perfect, Lauren! We had a dwarf lemon tree at our old house in a pot and sadly it didn’t move with us, but I really liked it. We have the BEST nursery and it’s filled with hundreds of planter options- I feel so lucky we live close by. I found my Greek key planter at HomeGoods last year! Maybe check there this season. I’m pretty sure it was under $30. I’m equally as excited for spring planting and am impatiently waiting. Haha! Hope you have an awesome Thursday :)

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  5. Love terra-cotta! they come in so many interesting shapes. I paint them to unify the color and use them inside and outside, rotating throughout the year. Even with paint they continue to patina to wonderful effect.

    I agree with Sally – be sure to put felt or cork on the bottom if you don’t want to worry about scratching. They may feel smooth, but the porosity that allows for that beautiful patina is like fine sandpaper on surfaces.

    Reply

    1. Me too, Paige! They’re really so versatile. I painted a few terracotta pots at our previous house for our carport that held honeysuckle and it worked out so well, while fitting the budget! Definitely a great tip from Sally… felt or cork is definitely a smart idea when using the pots indoors.

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  6. I’ve been loving terracotta! I noticed this post is really plant-related. Would you be open to doing a follow up post about terracotta coming in through other design elements? I love terracotta floors, for example, and I’ve also been looking for terracotta household items like soap dispensers and kitchen crocks. And of course I’ve seen so many rooms painted a terracotta color.

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    1. Me too, Amanda! I’ve clearly been focused on plants and gardening, thanks to spring- but I also love terracotta inserted elsewhere in the home (tile, roofing, decor, etc).

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  7. On aging terracotta pots, and uses for broken ones: I had a pot that broke in half, and wanted to encourage more toads in my back yard, so I laid the pot on its side under some leafy plants and forgot about it. I checked it awhile later, and the patina from being partly buried in dirt was amazing! Just bury all of your new pots for a year or so! 😆 Some day maybe I’ll do an experiment to see how quickly a good patina can be achieved by this method.

    Reply

    1. Such a great tip, Jennifer! Thank you so much for sharing. Do let us know how the experiment turns out, if you don’t mind :)

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  8. Hello Sarah, long time reader but first time commenter here – just wanted to say that I love your blog and have learned a lot these past few months!

    I have read a bit about terracotta pots lately, as I would like to acquire a couple. Many sources say thay they should be brought indoor come winter because, being porous and delicate by nature, the shift in temperature and humidity would most likely make them crack, or break.

    I live in Eastern Canada, and I see that where you are located, you experience snow and freezing temperature as well. I was wondering what was your general experience regarding this matter, since I was planning on leaving mine (the bigger and heavier ones, at least) outside all winter.

    Thank you,

    Shawn

    Reply

    1. Hi Shawn, thanks so much for reading! I’m so happy to see your comment. I truly appreciate your kind words. They really mean a lot! I read the same thing about terracotta planters, but I accidentally left some outside (during our snowy winter a few years ago) and was happy with the patina result the following spring, so I’ve been leaving them out ever since. I haven’t had any crack so far, but that’s not to say it can’t happen. I’d maybe test it in your climate with a planter you don’t care as much about… just in case. We have four seasons here and our winters are pretty harsh, and our summers are very hot. It’s truly one extreme to another. It could also be the type of terracotta I have or the way it was constructed. I’m sure some planters do better than others based on that. I’m not sure if that’s helpful, but I haven’t had issues and it makes it easier (especially for the heavy ones).

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    2. Chicagoan here! In my experience if you leave terracotta outside in winter, you might get lucky for a few winters with little damage, but over time it will definitely crack.

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      1. Thanks so much for sharing, Kelly!

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  9. OK, but can you tell me about those patio chairs in the lead photo? I LOVE them! (And I have a black thumb, so pretty terracotta planters filled with… PLANTS… is still a bit of a pipe dream at the moment, haha.)

    Reply