DIY Air Dry Clay Planters: Two Easy Beginner-Friendly Designs

Updated at: 06/02/2025

Bring a touch of rustic charm and personalized style to your home with these easy-to-make DIY air dry clay planters! Forget expensive, mass-produced pots; crafting your own unique planters is a rewarding and surprisingly simple project, perfect for beginners. Whether you're looking for a fun weekend activity or a thoughtful handmade gift, this guide offers two distinct designs, each requiring minimal tools and readily available materials. These projects are ideal for unleashing your creativity and adding a personal touch to your indoor or outdoor spaces, resulting in beautiful and functional planters that reflect your individual style.

We’ll explore two beginner-friendly designs, guiding you step-by-step through the process of shaping, decorating, and finishing your clay planters. From simple, elegant forms to more textured and artistic creations, these projects offer flexibility to suit your aesthetic preferences. Prepare to get your hands dirty and discover the joy of creating beautiful, handcrafted planters that you'll be proud to display.

Safety Guidelines

  • Air dry clay can crack if it dries too quickly. Avoid direct sunlight or hot, dry air during drying. Consider covering with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
  • Air dry clay is not waterproof. Use these planters for succulents, air plants, or other plants that don't require consistently moist soil. Apply a sealant if you wish to use them for plants needing more watering.
  • Always supervise children when working with air dry clay. It is not for consumption.

Methods: Face Planter

Tools Needed

  • Air dry clay
  • Glass container
  • Water
  • Sponge/fingers/scraper tool (optional)
  • Sandpaper
  • Acrylic paints
  • DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Clay Base

    • Flatten a small amount of clay and press it onto the glass container, covering the entire surface.
    • Use water and your fingers (or a sponge/scraper tool) to smooth out the clay.
    Use water and your fingers (or a sponge/scraper tool) to smooth out the clay.Use water and your fingers (or a sponge/scraper tool) to smooth out the clay.
    Prepare the Clay Base

  2. Dry the Clay

    • Let the clay dry completely (about 2 days).

  3. Smooth the Surface

    • Sand the dried clay to smooth any imperfections.
    Sand the dried clay to smooth any imperfections.
    Smooth the Surface

  4. Add Facial Features

    • Create the facial features using small amounts of clay. Roll out clay for the nose and eyes, then make a small line for the mouth.
    Create the facial features using small amounts of clay. Roll out clay for the nose and eyes, then make a small line for the mouth.
    Add Facial Features

  5. Paint the Planter

    • Paint the planter. Consider using different colors for the face and body.
    Paint the planter. Consider using different colors for the face and body.
    Paint the Planter

  6. Seal the Planter

    • Seal with DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze.
    Seal with DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze.
    Seal the Planter

Tips

  • Don't worry about being super neat; you can fix imperfections later.
  • Use Dazz clay to prevent cracking.

Methods: Boho Desert Planter

Tools Needed

  • Air dry clay
  • Candle jar
  • Water
  • Dotting tool
  • Small bottle cap
  • Sandpaper
  • Acrylic paints
  • DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Clay

    • Roll out a long piece of clay.
    • Wrap the clay around the jar, overlapping the edges to blend.
    • Remove excess clay from the top and bottom.
    • Smooth the clay with water.
    Smooth the clay with water.Smooth the clay with water.Smooth the clay with water.Smooth the clay with water.
    Prepare the Clay

  2. Dry the Clay

    • Let the clay dry completely.
    Let the clay dry completely.
    Dry the Clay

  3. Smooth and Detail

    • Sand the dried clay to smooth imperfections.
    Sand the dried clay to smooth imperfections.
    Smooth and Detail

  4. Add Design

    • Create the boho desert design using a dotting tool and bottle cap to create mountains and the sun.
    Create the boho desert design using a dotting tool and bottle cap to create mountains and the sun.
    Add Design

  5. Paint Planter

    • Paint the planter.
    Paint the planter.
    Paint Planter

  6. Seal Planter

    • Seal with DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze.
    Seal with DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze.
    Seal Planter

Tips

  • Blend any clay chunks with water.

Read more: DIY Mini Clay Dragons: 3 Easy Variations for Beginners

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Uneven Thickness

Reason: Rolling the clay too thinly or inconsistently leads to fragile planters that crack easily during drying or after planting.
Solution: Use a rolling pin and a thickness gauge to ensure consistent clay thickness throughout the planter.

2. Cracking During Drying

Reason: Rapid drying causes the clay to shrink unevenly, leading to cracks. This can be caused by drying in direct sunlight or too-dry air.
Solution: Dry the planters slowly in a shaded, humid environment, covering them with plastic wrap to retain moisture.

FAQs

How long does air dry clay take to dry completely?
Drying time depends on the thickness of your planter and the humidity. It can take anywhere from a few hours for thin pieces to 1-3 days or even longer for thicker pieces. Ensure good air circulation to prevent cracking.