How to Plant in Glazed Pots for Outdoors

Glazed ceramic or terra cotta pots can be planted just like any other pot. The glazing on the outside keeps moisture in the soil and roots of your plant longer, which means more infrequent watering. They also come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, from country chic to very exotic.
However, glazed pots exposed to the elements will crack, flake and sometimes grow lichens on the outside. For this reason, preventive measures must be taken before planting and placing these pots outside.

Most of these pots are too large for seedlings, so it is best to use ceramic pots for repotting established plants that have outgrown their current container.

Glazed ceramic pot
Spray pottery sealer
Sponge
Soft cloth
Soil
Established plant
Trowel
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Wipe the pot with a soft cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Hold the pottery sealer 4 inches away from the outside of the pot and spray in short bursts over the pot's surface.
- 2
  Use the sponge to spread the sealer evenly over the outside surface of the pot. Make sure the lip and bottom of the pot are coated, too. Allow the pot to dry overnight. Sealing the pot on the outside will make it more resistant to the elements.
- 3
  Tip the pot onto its side and spray the inside as you did the outside. Make sure to spray the bottom and lip. Use the sponge to spread the sealer evenly over the inside surfaces. Allow the pot to dry overnight.
- 4
  Test to see if the sealer works. Place a stone or piece of broken pottery over the drainage hole, if there is one. Pour a little water on the inside of the pot and let it sit for an hour. If the water has pooled on the inside, the pot is ready to plant. If the water has begun to soak in, apply another layer of sealer on the inside.
- 5
  Plant directly into a ceramic pot only if it has a drainage hole. If your pot has no drainage hole, plant in a plastic pot that will fit into the ceramic pot. The ceramic pot will act as a flood tray and your plant will not drown.
- 6
  Fill the pot three quarters to the top with soil. Use a trowel to loosen the dirt around the established plant and gently lift it from its current container. Place it in the center of the pot and cover the roots with soil. Water generously.
- 7
  Place your pot outside. If you notice the glaze cracking or flaking, cover the plant with a plastic bag and apply more sealer to the outside. If cracking continues and the plant is not in a plastic pot, it is likely from water in the soil. Repot the plant in a plastic pot and place the plastic pot inside the ceramic pot.
- 8
  Bring the pot inside whenever temperatures dip below 55 degrees F to prevent damage from the elements.

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