White powder on terracotta pot

White powder on terracotta pot? You’re wondering what on earth is this? Can it harm my plants? Well you can relax, because the white powder on your terracotta pot is nothing to worry about and can be removed.

As terracotta pots are porous, when we water our plants the water seeps through the small holes in the pot along with all the salts and minerals that go with it. As the water dries over time more and more minerals become deposited on the outside of the pot which results in the whitish powder that concerns people. Another culprit of this white chalky effect is fertilisers. Residue left over by fertilisers can also cause this to occur.

Cleaning White Powder On Terracotta Pots

If you leave these minerals to build up they can be more difficult to get off and you’ll need something like a wire brush to scrub the minerals away. But if you keep on top of cleaning then the residue should come off easily. The simplest way to do this is to wash your pots with a damp cloth whenever you notice the white powder starting to build.

And the great news is, not only can you wash it off with relative ease but you can also leave it on your pots for a whole new aesthetic. The look is even becoming so popular that people are opting to buy these pots that are already covered in residue and build up.

Clean Your Pots Between Plants

If you’re repotting your plant and you’re left over with an empty terracotta pot then use this as an opportunity to clean your pots. It might also be easier than when you have a plant inside. A great way to get rid of this white powder when your pot is empty is to soak it in a vinegar solution. You can’t really do this when your pots are full so just after a repotting is the perfect time to take your empty pot and really soak it to get that residue off.

Preventing White Powder On Terracotta Pot

If you don’t want your terracotta pots kept clean and you don’t want to spend time washing the residue away then the easiest thing to do is prevention. Rather than watering your pot with tap water, try using filtered water. You can find plenty of water filters online that don’t cost a lot and are perfect for filtering water ready for your plants.

So white powder on terracotta pot? No problem. It’s easy to get off and it looks great anyway.

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links meaning I receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links at no extra cost to yourself. This helps to keep OSERA ad free. Thank you for your support on this platform.