Step 3: Thin your paint (optional) – This is an optional step, but it really helps spread the paint over the pot when applying the base coat. If you are new to plants, you may panic the first time you notice the white mold growing on terracotta pots. However, there is no need to worry. The white mold will not invade and affect the plant’s growth, especially when it has just appeared on the pot. While the white mold you see on the pots will not cause the death of your plants, it may still damage the plant in the long run.

Use your scrub brush or pot brush to get all the dust and dirt off, then allow them to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Waterproofing clay pots affects their breathability. That means that the soil will retain moisture much longer than it would in an untreated pot. Thank you for your message! Regarding mold on soil, to prevent it from forming, you want the soil to stay wet shorter/dry out faster and there are a few things you can do to make this happen:

Clay pots can look pretty rugged if they’ve been used before. They are incredibly easy to clean though, so take the extra 30 minutes and follow the steps for how to clean terracotta pots before painting them. Keep this in mind if you’re used to using plain terracotta pots, so that you don’t end up overwatering your plants. However, because of their porous nature, terra cotta pots are often moist — making it easy for mold to grow. The customization of terracotta pots is easy. If you are bored with your indoor interior, you can paint a few pots and see a visible difference in your space. Clay pots naturally absorb moisture. In the right conditions (i.e. warm temperatures, high humidity, and shade) white fuzzy mold forms on the outside of the pots.

Keep in mind that the water will change the color of the paint slightly. You don’t want your paint too thin or it will run right off the pot. A variety of clean terracotta pots ready to paint Do You Need To Seal Terracotta Pots Before Painting?

Once you’ve scrubbed your way to a mold-free pot, give the pot an occasional maintenance clean (Method 3) to help prevent future mold growth. Method 1: Hydrogen Peroxide Spot Clean The biggest mistake that beginners make is overwatering. Most of the plants prefer to be watered when the soil is dry. If you keep watering the plants without the soil being dry, it will lead to mold formation and other problems. Overwatering is never a healthy factor for the plant’s growth. So, to prevent mold growth, you need to avoid unnecessary watering of the plants, only water when the soil is dry enough. This is all you need to do to eliminate that white mold growing on terracotta pots. 5. How Do I Prevent White Mold in My Pots These pots are budget-friendly and less-expensive options. Although they are affordable, they do not look cheap. Sealing terracotta pots for painting is an optional step, and it’s totally up to you if you want to do it.