Many people use them as is. They are designed the way there are so that you don't notice the pot but the plant. 'Decorating' the pot would make the eye focus on that! "Oh, Marge...look at that painted plastic container!" Left along, the container becomes almost invisible.

Personally, I put those plastic baskets and pots into recycling and use terra cotta or other containers. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with using them.

You mean like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: psycotic pots

I haven't done it...but I would suggest getting some strong outdoor-proof adhesive and some raffia or some jute rope and just wind it around, glueing it on. You might also try getting some burlap or canvas fabric and makine a big circle with a drawstring at the outside edge. Put the pot in the middle and "slipcover" it by pulling the drawstring to tighten it up about the pot.

I agree with rhizo, I painted 8 ceramic pots in various bright colours and they looked really good. But all I got out it from visitors was, I love the pots. I was trying to show my plants/flowers but they provided no appeal in comparison to the pot. Granted, as I am getting better with my plants but they aren't showstoppers by any means.

But, Lee....beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don't forget to do what pleases you. I am simply the kind of person who lets the plants do the decorating and am not 'into' a lot of garden embellishments, especially when it comes to the containers.

Shall we discuss how I feel about that bright red dyed mulch?? LOL.

You might try a special spray paint formulated for plastic: (website: first of its kind that bonds directly to most plastics) :

KRYLON Fusion Spray Paint for Plastic

Also see if your library has this book by Annie Sloan. She talked about decorating pots on Victory Garden (PBS) TV show and was their selling her book. Or check the Victory Garden Website:

Annie Sloan's Painted Garden
ISBN: 1571459278

AllBooksForLess has it for a bargain price.

Sue

I saw a technique on a tv show that was pretty, but time-consuming. You use colored painter's tape cut into different size/shaped pieces and do a mosaic design on the pot and then shellac the whole thing. It looked great, but sounds like hours of work.

I have used the spray paint that has the stone look to it. I have done this on several pot just but a spray primer and the textured paint next. It is with the spray paints and makes the look like cement, stone wear etc
debi