The new school year is starting. Whether school is in session at your home or on campus, your family can keep growing and learning with their hands and with plants. The arts we explore in school that educate us on how to play instruments, how to sing harmonies, or how to paint and draw. Those lessons are easily accessible at your home too. Work together as a family on a fun DIY project that involves creativity and painting, exploration of color and patterns, measurements, and how to grow plants indoors. Take a breath of fresh air and grow together with indoor plants!
HOW TO MAKE TRENDY CONTAINERS: EXPLORING COLOR AND PATTERNS
Step 1: Supplies
For this project, you will need the following supplies:
- 3 X Terra Cotta Pottery (size will depend on your plant selections)
- Indoor Plants
- Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil
- Craft Paint
- White Spray Paint
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Paint Brushes and Painting Sponge
Step 2: Spray Paint
First, set up your terra cotta pots in a well-ventilated area. Always use adult supervision when using spray paint! Cover containers with spray paint.
You will likely need to do a couple of coats of paint for a full and even coverage. Allow the paint to dry before applying another coat to avoid any drip lines.
Step 3: Measure and Paint
Next, it is time to add the navy, teal, and lilac color blocking to the container (or any other colors you wish you use). You can free hand or use a ruler. Measure how big you want your color block to be on your container and use that measurement on the other pottery to keep the designs consistent.
Once you have established the measurements, it is time to start painting! First, use the sponge brush to set the base coat of paint. Allow it a few minutes to dry before starting the next coat.
Then, get a smaller brush and create a strong line where the white meets the color of paint. Get a larger brush and start painting the additional coats until the coverage is solid and even.
Repeat for each container with their specific paint color until the color blocking is complete!
Allow the containers to dry before starting the next step.
Step 4: Add Patterns and Designs
Grab your ruler and pencil again! Now it is time to map out how your different patterns will be laid out on each container.
To create a controlled pattern, measure out the lines. For even stripes like on the navy container, set the ruler at the bottom of the container, and establish the beginning measurement for your stripes. We started around the 4 ½ inch mark and created 1 inch line increments going up the container.
For even vertical lines like on the lilac container, the best process is to create the starting line and measure 1 – 1 ½ inch increments to create the vertical lines around the container.
For the various line pattern, keep the lines the same length. Create 1 ½ inch line marks in various directions around the container for a playful pattern.
When your lines are ready, start painting. Get your black paint and carefully follow your pre-drawn lines. The lines do not have to be perfect. That is the beauty of hand painted artwork. The hand painted essence is what makes these containers have texture, movement, and life.
Use the same paint brush to keep all the lines the same in thickness and style. Again, allow everything to dry before planting.
Step 5: Add Your Indoor Plants
To plant your indoor selections, use Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil and fill your container, leaving room for the plant. Remove the plant from its plastic container and gently break up the root ball. Add your plant and water in thoroughly until the water drains out of the drain hole. Add more potting soil if needed. Once it is ready, bring your plants inside and set up your display!
The project is complete! Next, let’s learn about indoor plants and why growing plants indoors is so important for your and your family!
THE BENEFITS OF GROWING INDOOR PLANTS
These plants are low maintenance, plus they aid greatly in air purification and humidity control. Not to mention, they have been known to increase focus, better your sleep, and lower stress and anxiety.
They also add pizzazz and gorgeous color to any indoor space. They fill your empty spaces with vibrancy and movement.
Not sure what to plant? Reap the benefits from these selections below, plus learn how to care for them!
Dracaena
Dracaena is one the most common plants around; mostly because it is easy to maintain. Dracaena is a shrubby species with over 40 different varieties and sizes which can work with all different spaces in your home or office. Dracaena plants are considered one of the best for removing benzene chemicals from the air which can be found in products like paints, cleaning products, and plastics.
Dracaena does best when placed in an area that receives medium to indirect, bright light. Allow top 50% of soil to dry out before watering again. Do not keep soil too wet as this will cause your plant to develop brown tips.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig
The Ficus Lyrata, also known as the Fiddle-Leaf Fig, is a popular ornamental tree and a favorite indoor plant. The large leaves make a strong statement while posing many health benefits. The broad leaves help with humidity control and air purification, eliminating various chemical compounds and dust which means fewer ailments related to the respiratory system.
This plant should be grown in bright indirect light, but it is known to tolerate moderate light levels. Ficus plants require even moisture, good soil drainage, and cannot tolerate standing water. If they drop leaves, this is usually in response to a low light situation, being moved to a different light intensity, or from a watering problem.
Sansevieria
The unique look of the Sansevieria plant can make a strong visual statement in any space. Also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”, Sansevieria is ideal for indoor spaces as it removes allergens! Sansevieria doesn’t produce allergens; it releases moisture in the air and lessens airborne allergens while it also avoids the collection of such allergens due to the smooth surface of its leaves.
This is a low maintenance plant because it is easy to care for and it tolerates low light. Watering may be infrequent – let the soil dry between watering. During the winter, watering may be reduced further.
Calloway’s Premium Tropical Plant Food
Keep your plants healthy and keep them properly nourished. Enjoy more beautiful foliage and blooms with our new Premium Tropical Plant Food. Our 15-5-10 special formula contains a controlled release nitrogen, Fx Iron®, calcium, and other key components to help your tropical plants have healthier growth. Fx Iron® is an environmentally friendly source of iron; promoting new growth and dark green foliage.
Our Tropical Plant Food is ideal for Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, and more. Use as directed!
OTHER EDUCATIONAL TOOLS TO INCORPORATE INTO THIS PROJECT
- Your student can make their own ruler
- Have your student complete this project and teach it to their siblings, or make a video to share with the class
- Keep a plant diary to keep record of plant care like watering and how much light it receives during the day
- Students can experiment with the color wheel and make their own unique colors
SHOP WITH EASE
Grow with ease! At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have convenient ways to shop for your plants. Our open-air stores are here for you to enjoy, or you can call our store nearest you and place an order over the phone for Curbside Pickup!
Questions about plant care, availability, or quantities of plants? Call our store nearest you! Our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals are here to help with your planting needs!
Learning is fun, especially at home and with your family. Challenge yourself and grow together!
