Plaster Pusher: DIY Plaster Mini Planters + How to Color Plaster with This Secret Ingredient

Mini planters made of colored plaster! It’s a clever and colorful DIY that you’ve gotta try!

I used to do Plaster of Paris crafts pretty frequently, but more recently switched to concrete for projects I would have previously made with plaster. It’s the same exact process and I love the look of concrete, so it made sense.

BUT a while back, I got to thinking about how I might be able to add color to plaster for some mini planters I wanted to make. I did some research online, but couldn’t find a solution anywhere.

Probably because the powder consistency of plaster is pretty important to it setting up properly, etc. So it’s not just a matter of tossing in some acrylic paint and calling it a day.

And yes, it’s true that I could just paint them after they’re set, which I’ve done before. But I wanted the color to be a part of the material, not an afterthought. The texture is different, etc, etc.

So, after some experimenting, I landed on something that actually works! It will tint plaster nearly any color you want without changing the consistency of the plaster. And now that I’ve figured it out, I… 1) wanted to share it with you, in case you want to try this on your own. And 2) I will be using this technique way more than necessary. Haha.

Click through for the ‘secret ingredient’ that makes this process possible AND my simple tutorial for making pastel mini planters for cacti and succulents.

Materials Needed for Mini Planters

• plaster powder (available on Amazon – also know as Plaster of Paris)
• powdered tempera paint – THIS IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT (lots of options on Amazon, I used this brand but any will work)
• silicone shot glass molds (this is exactly what I used, but there are loads more on Amazon)
• matte medium (to seal the plaster)
• paint brush
• sandpaper (fine grit)

Where to Buy Plaster of Paris

If you’d prefer not to purchase Plaster of Paris on Amazon, there are lots of other places you can find this affordable crafting material.

Typically, you can find Plaster of Paris locally at craft stores and art supply stores, like JoAnn’s, Michaels, and Dick Blick. Sometimes it’s in the kids crafts area. But you can also find Plaster of Paris available at home improvement stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as places like Walmart and Target.

Some of which are also available online, so I’ve linked them above just in case.

Where to Find Rubber Molds for Plaster

There are so many options out there. But any silicone or rubber mold will work just fine, whether it’s intended for food or crafts. Just make sure if you use a food mold for crafts, it stays for crafts only after that. Don’t switch back to food use after using it for plaster.

So for example, I used silicone shot glass molds to create these mini planters because they were the perfect shape for what I was looking for. But you also use ice cube molds, chocolate molds, etc. Or just skip the food molds all together and go straight for the craft molds, which you can find all over Etsy from independent sellers.

What else can I use as a mold for plaster?

You’re not limited to using silicone or rubber molds for plaster projects either. You can also use recyclable items around your house, like milk cartons or thin plastic containers from individual cups of oatmeal, yogurt, mac and cheese, etc.

You can even use something like a mailing tube, like I did for this DIY concrete vase. Just follow the instructions for that tutorial and swap out the concrete for plaster…and still use the cooking spray.

There are endless possibilities for Plaster of Paris crafts.

How to Make Colored Plaster

Using a 5 to 1 ratio, scoop 5 parts powdered plaster into a medium sized container, and then scoop 1 part powdered tempera into the bowl. Stir together until an even color throughout is achieved.

FYI – You could probably use in less powdered tempera than that, to be honest. It really doesn’t take much. The more color you add, the more vibrant it will be, put if you add too much, it will eventually cause the plaster to set incorrectly or not at all.

How to Make Mini Planters from Colored Plaster

1. Once you have mixed together the colored plaster you’d like to use for this Plaster of Paris craft, you can get started with the mini planters.

2. Stir in water to the bowl, while stirring, until you reached a consistency similar to pancake batter (a little thicker than that is still fine though).

Plaster sets very quickly, so you’ll need to work fast.

3. Pour mixture into silicone mold or scoop it in with a spoon.

Gently tap the filled molds on a flat surface to get out any air bubbles and then aside until hardened (1-2 hours should be fine).

4. Once they are completely hard to the touch, remove the mini planters from the mold one at a time.

5. Use a fine sandpaper to sand down the bottom of each planet, if there is any unevenness.

Then let the planters finish air drying for a full 24 hours, if possible.

6. Next, seal each mini planter with a matte medium, which basically creates a thin layer of plastic so they will no longer be soluble (important if you’re going to put plants in them).

Wait for the matte medium to dry completely before planting succulents and cacti.

I found that small succulent cuttings are perfect for this size starter planter. And when the plant outgrows the container, you can replant it in a larger version.

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How to Make Colored Plaster

I used to do Plaster of Paris crafts pretty frequently, but more recently switched to concrete for projects I would have previously made with plaster. It's the same exact process and I love the look of concrete, so it made sense. BUT a while back, I got to thinking about how I might be able to add color to plaster for some mini planters I wanted to make. I did some research online, but couldn't find a solution anywhere. Probably because the powder consistency of plaster is pretty important to it setting up properly, etc. So it's not just a matter of tossing in some acrylic paint and calling it a day. And yes, it's true that I could just paint them after they're set, which I've done before. But I wanted the color to be a part of the material, not an afterthought. The texture is different, etc, etc. So, after some experimenting, I landed on something that actually works! It will tint plaster nearly any color you want without changing the consistency of the plaster.

Total Time5 mins

Keyword: colored plaster, plaster, plaster of paris

Ingredients

• plaster powder available on Amazon - also know as Plaster of Paris
• powdered tempera paint - THIS IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT lots of options on Amazon, I used this brand but any will work

Instructions

• Using a 5 to 1 ratio, scoop 5 parts powdered plaster into a medium sized container, and then scoop 1 part powdered tempera into the bowl. Stir together until an even color throughout is achieved.
• FYI - You could probably use in less powdered tempera than that, to be honest. It really doesn't take much. The more color you add, the more vibrant it will be, put if you add too much, it will eventually cause the plaster to set incorrectly or not at all.

Notes

Where to Buy Plaster of Paris

If you'd prefer not to purchase Plaster of Paris on Amazon, there are lots of other places you can find this affordable crafting material.

Typically, you can find Plaster of Paris locally at craft stores and art supply stores, like JoAnn's, Michaels, and Dick Blick. Sometimes it's in the kids crafts area. But you can also find Plaster of Paris available at home improvement stores, like Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as places like Walmart and Target. 

Some of which are also available online, so I've linked them above just in case.

Where to Find Rubber Molds for Plaster

There are so many options out there. But any silicone or rubber mold will work just fine, whether it's intended for food or crafts. Just make sure if you use a food mold for crafts, it stays for crafts only after that. Don't switch back to food use after using it for plaster.

So for example, I used silicone shot glass molds to create these mini planters because they were the perfect shape for what I was looking for. But you also use ice cube molds, chocolate molds, etc. Or just skip the food molds all together and go straight for the craft molds, which you can find all over Etsy from independent sellers.

What else can I use as a mold for plaster?

You're not limited to using silicone or rubber molds for plaster projects either. You can also use recyclable items around your house, like milk cartons or thin plastic containers from individual cups of oatmeal, yogurt, mac and cheese, etc.

You can even use something like a mailing tube, like I did for this DIY concrete vase. Just follow the instructions for that tutorial and swap out the concrete for plaster...and still use the cooking spray.

There are endless possibilities for Plaster of Paris crafts.

Tried this recipe?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Print This! Pin This! Rate This!

DIY Colored Plaster of Paris Mini Planters

Mini planters made of colored plaster! It's a clever and colorful DIY that you've gotta try! After some experimenting, I landed on something that actually works for creating colored plaster! It will tint plaster nearly any color you want without changing the consistency of the plaster.

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time1 hr

Keyword: crafting, diy, mini planter, planter, plaster, plaster of paris

Servings: 40 planters or more

Author: Brittni

Cost: $15

Ingredients

• plaster powder available on Amazon - also know as Plaster of Paris
• powdered tempera paint - THIS IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT lots of options on Amazon, I used this brand but any will work
• silicone shot glass molds this is exactly what I used, but there are loads more on Amazon
• matte medium to seal the plaster
• paint brush
• sandpaper fine grit

Instructions

• Once you have mixed together the colored plaster you'd like to use for this Plaster of Paris craft, you can get started with the mini planters.
• Stir in water to the bowl, while stirring, until you reached a consistency similar to pancake batter (a little thicker than that is still fine though).
• Plaster sets very quickly, so you'll need to work fast.
• Pour mixture into silicone mold or scoop it in with a spoon.
• Gently tap the filled molds on a flat surface to get out any air bubbles and then aside until hardened (1-2 hours should be fine).
• Once they are completely hard to the touch, remove the mini planters from the mold one at a time.
• Use a fine sandpaper to sand down the bottom of each planet, if there is any unevenness.
• Then let the planters finish air drying for a full 24 hours, if possible.
• Next, seal each mini planter with a matte medium, which basically creates a thin layer of plastic so they will no longer be soluble (important if you're going to put plants in them).
• Wait for the matte medium to dry completely before planting succulents and cacti.
• I found that small succulent cuttings are perfect for this size starter planter. And when the plant outgrows the container, you can replant it in a larger version.

Tried this recipe?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Photography Amelia Tatnall
Styling Brittni Mehlhoff

Think you’ll give this mini planter project a try? What do you think of all the pastel colors?