It Takes Just Two Easy Steps to Make This Terracotta Jack-o-Lantern

This easy craft is a great excuse for plant parents to extend their brood for Halloween. The finished product looks great just about anywhere that could use a little spooky spirit—a mantle, windowsill, bookshelf, or even your stoop.

Although we used a small terracotta pot, it’s easy to scale this project for the space you’re decorating. All you need is a roomier pot, a little extra paint, and a bigger plant. (Note for the black-thumbed among us: This planter looks just as cute with faux greenery, or filled to the brim with candy.) And if you’re worried that your skill set skews more botanical than artistic, don’t be—if you can draw basic shapes, you’re golden. Here’s how to pull it off.

Cost: $10
Time: 5 minutes, plus drying time
Skill: Beginner

Supplies:
Small terracotta pot
Black chalkboard paint
White acrylic paint (or a white chalk pen) 
Paintbrush

Lay newspaper or butcher paper down to protect your work surface. Paint the terracotta paint with one coat of black chalkboard paint. Let dry 10 minutes. 

Paint the pot with a second coat of black paint. Let dry 20 minutes. (The extra drying time ensures the colors don’t bleed.)

Use the white paint to paint two triangles for eyes and a toothy smile. Let dry 10 minutes. Apply a second coat if necessary. (Note: For cleaner lines, you can draw your jack-o-lantern face with a pencil before applying the white paint. Or, you can use a fine-tipped chalk pen.) 

Once dry, fill with potting soil and your favorite plant—we like low-effort succulents.

Want more no-carve pumpkin ideas? Find them here.